Quiz · 11.1–11.14
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Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 11.8, what form is śakyase (शक्यसे), and what does it say with draṣṭum (द्रष्टुम्)?
Answer
Present passive, second singular, of śak (शक्). "You are able," with the infinitive. na tu (न तु) refuses it: you are not able to see him with anena eva sva-cakṣuṣā (अनेन एव स्व-चक्षुषा), this eye of your own.
2
tat (तत्) stands in front of śakyam (शक्यम्) in 11.4. What is recited, and which sandhi makes it?
Answer
tac chakyam (तच्छक्यम्). t (त्) before ś (श्) becomes c (च्), and ś (श्) becomes ch (छ्). The two changes go together.
3
What does 11.12 say, in one sentence?
Answer
If the light of a thousand suns rose at once in the sky, that would be like the radiance of that great self.
4
Where do 11.1–11.14 sit in the talk between Arjuna (अर्जुन) and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
Arjuna (अर्जुन) says the supreme secret spoken for a favor to him has sent his delusion off. He has heard the arising and the passing away of beings, and the imperishable greatness. He asks to see the lordly form, if Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) thinks the seeing possible. Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) says: see. The forms are by hundreds and by thousands. The gods are there. The whole world stands in one place in his body, today. The eye Arjuna (अर्जुन) already has cannot see it. A divine eye is given. Sañjaya (सञ्जय) reports the showing, the many mouths and eyes, the raised weapons, and a light like that of a thousand suns. The son of Pāṇḍu (पाण्डु) sees the world in that body, and bows before he speaks.
5
Say the gift in 11.8 and the light in 11.12. Which failure shows the eye was the one he already had, or the suns were counted short?
Answer
divyam dadāmi te cakṣuḥ (दिव्यम् ददामि ते चक्षुः), and sūrya-sahasrasya bhāḥ (सूर्य-सहस्रस्य भाः). If the eye is sva-cakṣuṣā (स्व-चक्षुषा), or if the suns are one, stay here.