Ramanuja's Commentary
Viewing the phenomenal panorama of forms and terrifying visages in active
mode of Lord Krishna's visvarupa or divine universal form which was blazing
flames in all directions was terrible and horrifying like the fires of
annihilation during the cataclysm at the time of universal destruction.
Arjuna being extremely afflicted beseeched Lord Krishna with the word
devasa denoting O' Lord of Brahma and Siva and the words jagan-nivasan O'
refuge of the universe and then supplicated Lord Krishna with the word
prasida or be merciful and return his normal human vision so that he would
be able to regain his equilibrium and composure again.
So the Supreme Lord Krishna exhibiting His visvarupa demonstrated how it
manifested from Him, functioned through Him and existed within Him. He will
now show to Arjuna how by His indomitable will He will bring about the
destruction of Duryodhana and all the Kauravas along with all the demons in
the guise of kings fighting with them. Also He will also show the
destruction of all those possessed of asuric or demoniac nature that may be
fighting for kings in the army of the Pandavas, so that Bhumi-devi or
Mother Earth will be rid of such a burden. At this time Arjuna began to see
with the divine vision bequeathed by Lord Krishna how all the hosts of the
Kaurava army met with their destruction and by who although the actual
event had not yet transpired.