This is the prayer or realization of Arjuna when Lord Shree Krishna showed His universal form to His devotee as described in the 11th chapter of the Gita. This prayer leads us to the very root of "Sanatana Dharma" or "Eternal Religion."

Sanatana Dharama is the basis of Hindu culture and civilization. A true religion is neither constrained to dogmas and superstitions nor limited to denominations like sampradayas, institutions, societies, missions, groups, foundations, parivars and their fake gurus.

During the infancy of our spiritual pursuit we envision God with different names and forms because different devotees have different needs. But as the devotee advances in his sadhana, his perception of God becomes more refined, which ultimately leads to a God beyond speech or even conception. Such a God can't be simply described or even imagined. So, when Arjuna prays to God, it seems like a contradiction of the first principle. This is because we are limited in our ability to conceive a notion beyond our immediate needs. It is no different than a child who glorifies his father as the greatest man on earth simply because he fulfills his craving for candy or a toy.

Similarly God is perceived, depending on the purity of our minds,  to adopt the form of a father, mother, friend or even as an enemy to meet our needs. As we gradually advance in purity and Abhyasayoga, our perception of God starts shedding its material form and retains only its virtues such as compassion and authority (Purussoattam).

At the epitome of spirituality, a union takes place between the lover and the beloved,  just like Radha and Krishna. At this stage there is no distinction between the two. There is no separate identity between a material entity and the universal God. That is to say that the material entity realizes and merges with the Eternal.

This stage, known as Bodha, confers a major influence in the life of a devotee. The devotee returns to the normal state of consciousness with one major difference -- he no longer is the ordinary person he used to be but indulges in love with all creatures and performs all tasks without a sense of duty or obligation. He performs only with love. He thus reaches the ranks of the greatest saints such as Mirabai, Radha and Ramakrishna.

After Samadhi, a devotee's role in the material game is permanently over. Now onwards they live like a dry blade of grass floating in the wind. They do not have any desire nor any agenda. They do whatever the Lord wants them to do. They pass their time by teaching, indulging in internal bliss, or living in a retreat.

It is not unnatural that whatever relationship a devotee adopts with the Lord during his Upasana continues for the rest of his life with no other reason but for the sake of joy itself. It is no longer a requirement or a drudgery. A realized soul has no other agenda except to live for the good of the world.

There is an important distinction here. Arjuna was able to see the Divine Form not because of his own qualifications, but only out of the Lord's love and grace. Had he earned such a state, he would not have asked so many questions questions but endeavored to learn and adopt. He had yet to perform his duties of fighting his enemy and continuing his devotion. Some day this would empower him to realize God on his own and set him free from duties for ever.

-- Swami Radhanandaji