ihaika-stham jagat krtsnam
pasyadya sa-caracaram
mama dehe gudakesha
yac canyad drastum icchasi

"O Arjuna, whatever you wish to see, behold at once in this body of Mine! This universal form can show you whatever you now desire to see and whatever you may want to see in the future. Everything—moving and nonmoving—is here completely, in one place."

Mama dehe = in My [Sri Krishna's] image or body, iha = here, eka-stham = in one part, sa- caracaram = this [Universe consisting of] movable and stationary or chetana and achetana, krtsnam = without any exception, adya pasya = [you, Arjuna] can see today. Arjuna is going to see the entire Universe, without any exception, would see in a small part of the Lord's image. Gudakesha = Vanquisher of sleep [Arjuna]. To realize the Lord one should have overcome sleep. Then only, one can understand His glory. Sri Andal says that She had no sleep till She could view Him. Similarly Thirumangai Alwar and Nammalwar say. Viewing Him is Brahmanubhavam and that itself is sleep and food for them. Yac = whatever [things], anyad = apart from [what the Lord mentioned earlier], drastum icchasi = [Arjuna] desired to see. What the Lord mentioned in earlier slokas would be seen in a small part of the Lord's body. It is possible, Arjuna might like to see so many others, apart from what the Lord mentioned; those also could be seen in the image of the Lord. Swami Ramanuja in his Gita Bhashyam and Swami Vedanta Desika in his Tatparya Chandrika, explain this in their commentaries. Arjuna might have liked to see the Toddler Sri Krishna in the streets of Brindavan; or, stealing butter, or anything he desired. The Sri Krishna, preaching Gita, was quite old and as such He might not tell Arjuna to see the Child Sri Krishna. Swami Desika says that even if Arjuna wanted to see Pandavas winning the battle and reigning Hastinapura, he could see that. Thus Arjuna would see the past, present and future, wherever they happened or to happen, whether in this world or in other worlds. Because the Lord represents everything, past, present and future, and could be seen in a fraction of His Divine body. Since the Lord said whatever desired could be seen, we will also enter the temple to see some desired scenes. Today's [7th October 2008] lecture is from the Abhisheka mandapam. It is an important place. It is the place from where the Lord starts His procession; all Abhishekams are performed in this place only. On Thiruvadipooram [திரு ஆடிப் பூரம்], Kalyanotsavam is performed here only. During that time Perialwar also graces, as the father of Sri Andal. He gave Sri Andal in marriage with Sri Ranganatha [though Perialwar might not be gracing the Kalyanotsavam of Sri Andal and Sri Ranganatha in Srirangam], and so here in Kanchi, he is also present in the Kalyanotsavam. The Lord appears majestically as the Bridegroom! This is one of His images. Thirumanjanam is performed every Hastham [ஹஸ்தம்] star day. Procession is on Ekadasi, Hastham, Amavasya, Masapirappu[மாதப்பிறப்பு], Sravanam, etc. For Abhishekam or procession, the Lord descends from the hill [Hasthigiri]. If there are more than Two days between Two festivals, then the Lord would ascend the Hill. But, if the next festival was on the next or day after, then the Lord would remain in the Mirror room [கண்ணாடி அறை] in this mandapam, and so, would not climb up the hill. Abhishekam is called Thirumanjanam, which means holy bath for the Lord. Abhishekam also means Crown [கிரீடம்]. During Thirumanjanam, one can enjoy admiring every organ of the Lord. Both Swami Koorathalwan and Swami Vedanta Desika have appreciated the Lord in minute details. The tall Crown proclaims that He is the unquestionable Monarch of the Universe. Just below is the mark on His forehead [திலகம்]. It is oorthvapundram and appears to lift people below, says Swami Koorathalwan. In the ears the ear rings are dazzling. It is not known whether they are ornaments for the ears or for the shoulders or for the hairstyle! We see the neck of the Lord and see three lines of impression. What are they? Swami Desika says that if we go and look at teh Lord early morning, these lines would be clearly visible. The Lord was with Sri Perundevi Thayar previous night.The Divine Couple would have been lying embracing each other. The bangles of Sri Thayar, would have been pressing the neck of the Lord and these marks are visible in the morning! That also shows that the Lord abides by the demands of Sri Thayar! Shoulders exhibit the discus and conch. Hasthigiri is Atthigiri in Tamil. Thigiri means discus in Tamil. So Atthigiri means the elephant hill or it could also mean to point 'that discus!'. On the right chest [வக்ஷஸ்தலம்], Sri Thayar is permanently residing. One can see variety of necklaces of various precious stones and of variety of colors. The sparkling of the preciuos stones resemble the splash of smile, from His pearl like teeth, descending like a stream and falling on the rock like broad chest!! We see His narrowed stomach and see the rope tied around. Swami Koorathalwan wonders why is the Lord displaying that rope by which He was tied [by Yasoda] so long back? Is it His first ornament! His lotus like navel is like the whirlpool in rivers. Finally we can see the Lotus like feet pressed firmly on the Peetam. That is the place we have to surrender. Like He tells Arjuna, we can see whatever we want to in His Divine image.