Answer
Āchāryas explain that “half a cubit,” or about nine inches, is mentioned to give us a conception. It is said that Vishnu is situated in the heart within that dimension.
But they also clarify that the Lord is actually immeasurable. This description is not meant to define His size in a literal, physical sense. Rather, it is given to help us grasp His inconceivable potency—that the same Supreme Lord who manifests and sustains the entire universe is also present within the heart of every living being.
So the purpose of stating “nine inches” or “half a cubit” is not to impose a limit on Him, but to convey a profound truth: His simultaneous greatness and intimacy. He is unlimited, yet personally present within everyone.
Therefore, this description should be understood as indicative and instructive—not as a strict, measurable dimension.
