Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 11, Verse 12

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

The unparalleled and incomparable nature of the Supreme Lord Krishna's visvarupa or divine universal form is now being stated. The effulgence of this universal form is being compared to the simultaneous rising of surya- sahasrasya or 1000 suns. This is to give a general idea of the magnificent splendour Lord Krishna's phenomenal universal form manifested. This affirms that there is nothing else to compare with the visvarupa in the material existence and gives the evidence from what was exhibited in verse nine.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya

Madhvacarya's Commentary

The word sahasraya means thousand but can literally be taken to be innumerable as 1000 suns simultaneously rising in the sky would be uncountable. Like the thousands of heroic deeds of the avatars of Lord Krishna, this statement is made for elucidation of the resplendent splendour of the visvarupa or divine universal form. In the Rig Veda is stated: The Supreme Lord of eternal power and eternal energy is of eternal brilliance even easily exceeding the sun. This comparison is based on the conclusive evidence of the Vedic scriptures and it is of no avail to try to compare it to anything else.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

The example of a 1000 suns is a mere illustration to show the degree of infinite splendour and radiance that the form of Lord Krishna's visvarupa or divine universal form displayed in ever increasing measure.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

Now the effulgence of Lord Krishna's visvarupa or divine universal form is being described. The word divi means in the firmament. If in the heavens a thousand suns burst forth simultaneously all at once it could give an indication of the dazzling radiance and splendour the universal form and no other comparison is suitable. As 1000 suns rising simultaneously cannot be envisioned except by imagination and is practically an impossible reality it is difficult to envision. Thus the comparison infers that the universal form is beyond compare to anything ever seen or imagined.