Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 41

English Translation

Without knowing this greatness of Yours, whatever was said by me (to You) rashly, through inadvertence or even out of intimacy, thinking (You to be) a friend, addressing (You) as 'O krsna,' 'O Yadava,' 'O friend,' etc.-.

Detailed Commentary

When Arjuna beheld the exceedingly fierce form of the Cosmic Lord, he was seized by fear and forgot the familiar form of Bhagavan Krishna. He questioned, "Who are You?" But when he remembered that this was indeed Bhagavan Shri Krishna, he recalled his past conduct. He then sought forgiveness from the Lord for his behavior born of friendship (*sakhā bhāva*). "सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति" (Whatever I have spoken presumptuously, thinking You to be a friend, calling 'O Krishna! O Yadava! O Friend!'): Great and exalted beings are not addressed by their names. For them, honorifics like 'You' (formal) or 'Maharaja' are used. But I addressed You as 'O Krishna,' 'O Yadava,' 'O Friend.' The reason for this was that I did not know Your *Mahima* (glory/greatness). I did not know then that infinite universes (*ananta brahmāṇḍa*) reside within a single part of Your being. Arjuna already knew Bhagavan's *Svarupa* (true nature) and *Mahima* to some extent, which is why he had chosen the unarmed Lord. Yet, he had not understood that infinite universes reside within an atom of Bhagavan's body. When Bhagavan, out of grace, revealed His *Vishvarupa* (Universal Form), beholding it, Arjuna grasped the Lord's supreme influence and power. The thought arose in his mind that whatever he had said, whether out of affection (*premavaś*) or heedlessness (*pramādavaś*), was spoken without full comprehension. In truth, no one can fully know the Lord's *Mahima*, for it is *ananta* (infinite). If it could be entirely known, it would cease to be infinite. When there is no end to the *Vibhūtis* (divine manifestations/opulences) born of Bhagavan's power, how can there be an end to Bhagavan Himself and His *Mahima*? "यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु" (And whatever disrespect You have suffered from me, for the sake of jest, in recreation, on the couch, in sitting, or in eating): Treating You as an ordinary friend, I ask for forgiveness for all the disrespect I showed You while walking, resting, sitting, standing, and eating. I also seek forgiveness for any disrespect I showed, whether in Your presence or in the presence of others. Descriptions of Arjuna and Bhagavan's friendship recount them playing together. Arjuna would throw water on Bhagavan, who would chase Arjuna, both laughing and displaying special skills. Arjuna would tell Bhagavan, "Why are you sitting alone? Let us sit too." Now, Arjuna recalls these transgressions born of familiarity and seeks forgiveness from Bhagavan. To call Bhagavan 'Aprameya' (immeasurable, incomprehensible) means that He is beyond even divine vision. Connection: Now, in the next two verses, Arjuna describes the Lord's glory and seeks forgiveness.