Bhagavad Gita BG 11.4
Chapter 11, Verse 4 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो । योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् ॥
manyase yadi tac chakyam maya drashtum iti prabho yogeshvara tato me tvam darshayatmanam avyayam
Meaning
If You think it possible for me to see this (tac chakyam), O Lord (Prabho), O Yogeshvara (Lord of yoga), then show me Your imperishable (avyaya) Self.
Understanding
The pivotal request, phrased with extraordinary humility: manyase yadi (if YOU think) tac chakyam (it possible) maya drashtum (for me to see). Arjuna does not presume — he defers to Krishna's judgment about his readiness. The epithet: Yogeshvara — Lord of yoga, the one who is the master of all yogic power and capacity, the one who can give the experience. Then the request: darshaya atmanam avyayam — show me Your imperishable Self. Avyaya = without diminishment, without end. Not the display of power but the Self — the deepest reality of the Divine, which is inexhaustible. The humility of manyase yadi (IF you think it possible) stands in beautiful contrast to the immensity of what is about to be revealed.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मन्यसे | manyase | if You think, if You consider (deferring to Krishna's judgment) |
| शक्यम् | shakyam | possible, feasible |
| प्रभो | prabho | O Lord, O Master (prabhu = lord, sovereign) |
| योगेश्वर | yogeshvara | Lord of yoga (yoga + ishvara = the sovereign of all yogic power) |
| दर्शय | darshaya | show, reveal, grant the vision |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable, without diminishment, the inexhaustible Self |
| यदि | yadi | if |
| तत् | tat | that |
| शक्यम् | śakyam | possible, capable |
| मया | mayā | by me |
| द्रष्टुम् | draṣṭum | to see |
| इति | iti | thus |
| योगेश्वर | yogeśvara | O master of yoga |
| ततः | tataḥ | then, therefore |
| मे | me | to me |
| त्वम् | tvam | You |
| दर्शय | darśaya | show |
| आत्मानम् | ātmānam | Yourself |