The whole world in one body

ihaikasthaṃ jagatkṛtsnaṃ paśyādya sacarācarammama dehe guḍākeśa yaccānyad draṣṭumicchasi

Behold now the entire universe, moving and still, gathered as one in my body, and whatever else you wish to see.

What it means

Krishna invites Arjuna to see everything, the living and the lifeless, gathered in one place. Not scattered, but whole. Then he adds something tender. Whatever else you wish to see. Nothing is held back. In this vision, the universe is not outside God. It rests within him.

The story

Arjuna has a nickname, Gudakesha, the one who has conquered sleep. Krishna uses it here. The warrior famous for staying alert on watch is now asked to stay awake for the greatest sight of his life.

In your life

You find the famous photograph of Earth from deep space, a pale dot caught in a sunbeam. Every person you love is on that speck. Tonight, look at it for one minute, and let your worries find their true size.