Quiz · 11.15–11.31
What he sees
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 11.30, what is lelihyase (लेलिह्यसे), and what is he doing with the worlds?
Answer
The intensive of lih (लिह्), "lick," second singular. He licks again and again. grasamānaḥ (ग्रसमानः), he is swallowing the worlds entire, from every side, with flaming mouths.
2
bahavaḥ (बहवः) meets ambu (अम्बु) in 11.28. What is recited, and which sandhi makes it?
Answer
bahavo 'mbuvegāḥ (बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः). aḥ (अः) plus a (अ) becomes o (ओ), and ऽ marks the lost a (अ).
3
What does 11.28 say, in one sentence?
Answer
As the many currents of rivers run toward the ocean, so these heroes of the world of men enter your blazing mouths.
4
Where do 11.15–11.31 sit in the talk between Arjuna (अर्जुन) and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
Arjuna (अर्जुन) reports the divine eye. In the body are the gods, Brahmā (ब्रह्मा) on the lotus, the lord, the seers, and the divine serpents. The form has many arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes, and no end, no middle, and no beginning. It is crowned, with mace and discus, hard to look at. Hosts of gods enter him. Some, afraid, praise. The three worlds shake, and so does he. He cannot find steadiness, calm, the directions, or shelter. Then the men of the field rush in: the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (धृतराष्ट्र), the kings, Bhīṣma (भीष्म), Droṇa (द्रोण), the son of the charioteer, and his own chief warriors, into the fanged mouths, as rivers into the ocean and as moths into a fire. He asks who this terrible form is, and what the activity is.
5
Say the entering of 11.27 and the likeness of 11.28. Which failure shows he only listed the gods?
Answer
vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇāḥ viśanti (वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणाः विशन्ति), and yathā nadīnām bahavaḥ ambu-vegāḥ (यथा नदीनाम् बहवः अम्बु-वेगाः). If the worlds are seen and never enter the mouths, stay here.