
11
CHAPTER
VERSE
41
सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति |
अजानता महिमानं तवेदं मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि || 11.41 ||
Sakhēti matvā prasabhaṁ yaduktaṁ hē kṛṣṇa hē yādava hē sakhēti |
Ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavēdaṁ mayā pramādāt praṇayēna vāpi ||
Thinking of you as my friend, I addressed you as, "O Krishna," "O Yadava," "O my friend," without knowing your glories, bewildered by affection and friendship.
Lesson:
Acknowledging his previous interactions with Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna confesses that in his ignorance and affection, he addressed Krishna casually as a friend, unaware of his divine nature and immense glory. His words reflect the depth of his relationship with Krishna. He admits to addressing Krishna with terms of endearment such as "O Krishna," "O Yadava," and "O my friend," indicating the intimacy and familiarity between them. However, Arjuna realizes that his perception of Krishna was limited by his human understanding and emotional attachment.
The phrase "Ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavēdaṁ" highlights Arjuna's lack of awareness regarding the true magnitude of Krishna's divine attributes and greatness. Despite witnessing Krishna's extraordinary deeds and teachings, Arjuna failed to grasp the full extent of his divine nature.
Arjuna attributes his casual demeanour towards Krishna to his ignorance (pramāda) and the overwhelming influence of affection and friendship (praṇayena). His love and attachment towards Krishna clouded his perception, preventing him from recognizing Krishna's divine glory and omnipotence.
This verse serves as a moment of introspection for Arjuna, prompting him to acknowledge his shortcomings and deepen his understanding of Krishna's true identity. It signifies Arjuna's humility and readiness to surrender his ego and preconceived notions in the presence of the divine.
Moreover, Arjuna's confession underscores the universal theme of human limitation in comprehending the divine. Despite their close relationship, Arjuna realizes that his perception of Krishna was incomplete and superficial. It highlights the inherent challenge of perceiving the infinite nature of God with finite human faculties.
Overall, this verse conveys the profound lesson of humility and surrender in the journey of spiritual awakening. Arjuna's admission serves as a reminder for seekers to transcend their personal biases and attachments in order to perceive the divine with clarity and reverence. It encapsulates the transformative power of self-awareness and the importance of surrendering to the divine will with unwavering faith and humility.