ami hi tvam sura-sangha vishanti
kecid bhitah pranjalayo grnanti
svastity uktva maharsi-siddha-sanghah
stuvanti tvam stutibhih puskalabhih

"All the hosts of demigods are surrendering before You and entering into You. Some of them, very much afraid, are offering prayers with folded hands. Hosts of great sages and perfected beings, crying “All peace!” are praying to You by singing the Vedic hymns."

Arjuna further exclaims at the numerous Devas, Rishis and Siddhas worshipping the Lord. This sloka, as well as the earlier ones, give us the impression that many, apart from Arjuna, were viewing the ViswaroopamAmi hi = all these, sura-sangha = groups of Devas, vishanti = are nearing, tvam = You [Sri Krishna]. Many Devas seeing the Viswaroopam, are arriving to worship. Kecid = [among those nearing] some are, bhita = with fear, pranjalaya = folded hands, grnanti = praise [the Lord]. Among the many Devas arriving to see the Viswaroopam of the Lord, some are praising the Lord with fear and folded hands [in respect]. Maharsi = great sages, siddha = accomplished persons, sangha= in groups, svasti uktva = shouting 'long live' [பல்லாண்டு], stuti = praising words, pushkalabhi = replete [with praise], stuvanti = praising. Rishis and Siddhas are chanting words replete with praise of the Lord. We find from the sloka that many are viewing the Viswaroopam. Many Devas are approaching the Lord in Viswaroopam. Among such Devas, some are with fear and folded hands, praising the Lord. But, Sages and Siddhas are also approaching the Lord, without any fear. This indicates that Devas are inferior to Maharishis and Siddhas. By Devas, is meant Devas like Indra, Kubera, Varuna, etc. Maharishis means sages like Brghu, Kashyapa, Vasishta, etc. Siddhas indicate lord Brahma's sons like Sanaka, Sanatkumara, Sanatsujata and Sanathana. They all have realized the Lord and so have no fear in nearing Him. Devas, on the other hand, come to the Lord only when they need His help and remain indifferent at other times; and being selfish, they approach Him with fear. A doubt might arise here and this is clarified by both Swami Ramanuja in Gita Bhashya and Swami Desika in Tatparya Chandrika. Only Arjuna was gifted by the Lord to view Viswaroopam. How then Devas, Maharishis and Siddhas also could view Viswaroopam? Were they also gifted with divine eyes? Or, is it possible, that these groups did not see Viswaroopam? Yes, these people -Devas, Maharishis and Siddhas- also saw the Viswaroopam; otherwise, they would not be in fear to approach Him; nor, would they be praising Him. Therefore, they were also gifted with divine eyes, by the Lord. But why there is no mention to this effect in the sloka? Arjuna was gifted with the special eyes so that he could realize the eminence of the Lord. It is not enough if Arjuna alone was able to see and appreciate the greatness of the Lord. He should realize that the greatness of the Lord is being realized by all others like DevasMaharishis and Siddhas. He should realize that the entire Universe paid obeisance to the Lord. It is practical that our regard or respect increases manifold if we know others also have same regard or respect, to any person. Svasti is wishing for long life. Maharishis and Siddhas have a great love for the Lord and in their anxiety that nothing bad should occur to the Lord, they shout 'long-live', as Perialwar did when he saw the Lord in the sky. It is like a motherly care for the child [பரிவு or மங்களாசாசனம் mangalasasanam]. Jatayu, the vulture, even at the last moments of his life, cried long life to Sri Rama, out of affection and care. Swami Vedanta Desika also composed many stotrams like this in praise of the Lord. Abidistavam -in praise of Sri Ranganatha, Kamasikashtakam - in praise of the Lord of Velukkai, Vegasethu stotram - in praise of the Lord of Thiruvekkha, etc., are some of them.
                                                                                                      (continued)