विश्वरूप

Vishvarupa means the form in which the whole universe is contained. The word occurs in the Gita itself: Arjuna addresses the Lord as "Lord of the universe, universal form" (Gita 11.16). It is the name given to the vision of chapter 11.

Arjuna had asked to see this form. The Lord said that he cannot see it with these eyes, so he gives him divine sight (Gita 11.8). In this vision Arjuna sees the whole universe, divided into many parts, standing in one body (Gita 11.13). It is a form with no beginning, middle or end visible (Gita 11.16).

Fear comes with the vision. Arjuna trembles at the fierce form, and later asks the Lord to show the gentle form again (Gita 11.45–46). It is in the middle of this vision that "I am Time" and "be merely an instrument" are said.

Common misreading: that it is a giant body seen with the eyes.

Better sense: it is a vision given through divine sight. To follow it, look at the order in the Gita: the request, divine eyes, the vision, fear, then the return to the gentle form.

The passage can be read in Merely an Instrument.