Chapter 11, Verse 44 (Bhagavad Gita 11.44)
Chapter 11: Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog – Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God
Sanskrit Shloka
तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम्। पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम्
Transliteration
tasmāt praṇamya praṇidhāya kāyaṁ prasādaye tvām aham īśham īḍyam piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuḥ priyaḥ priyāyārhasi deva soḍhum
Word Meanings
tasmāt—therefore; praṇamya—bowing down; praṇidhāya—prostrating; kāyam—the body; prasādaye—to implore grace; tvām—your; aham—I; īśham—the Supreme Lord; īḍyam—adorable; pitā—father; iva—as; putrasya—with a son; sakhā—friend; iva—as; sakhyuḥ—with a friend; priyaḥ—a lover; priyāyāḥ—with the beloved; arhasi—you should; deva—Lord; soḍhum—forgive
Translation
Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body, I crave Thy forgiveness, O adorable Lord. As a father forgives his son, a friend his dear friend, a lover his beloved, even so may Thou forgive me, O God.
Meaning & Commentary
In this moment of profound surrender, Arjuna acknowledges the infinite majesty of Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By invoking the intimate relationships of father, friend, and lover, Arjuna expresses that his relationship with Shri Krishna transcends mere master-servant protocols, rooting itself in deep, eternal affection. This verse reveals that the path to liberation (Moksha) is paved with humility and the sincere recognition of one’s human limitations before the Divine. Shri Krishna accepts this surrender, showing that the Supreme Lord is not a distant, judgmental judge, but a compassionate refuge for every soul. Through this prayer, Arjuna teaches humanity that true spiritual progress begins when the ego bows down to seek the grace of Shri Krishna.