Bhagavad Gita 11.2
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया | त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ||
bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṁ śrutau vistaraśo mayā | tvattaḥ kamala-patrākṣa māhātmyam api cāvyayam ||
Translation
I have heard from you in detail of the birth and dissolution of beings, O lotus-eyed one, and also of your imperishable greatness.
Reflection
Before requesting your next gift, can you name what you have already been given?
Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter Eleven
Arjuna gathers the prior teaching before asking for more. He has heard, vistarashas, in detail, of the birth and dissolution of beings, and of Krishna's imperishable greatness. The address kamala-patraksha, lotus-petal-eyed, holds the affection of a friend even while the language climbs. Arjuna shows he has been listening. He is not asking for what has already been given. He has the verbal teaching about the source. Now he is going to ask for something different. The careful summary is groundwork for a careful request. It also tells the reader that hearing precedes seeing in this tradition. The vision when it comes will not be a substitute for the words. It will be their meaning made visible to one who has first received them with attention.