sakheti matvā prasabhaṁ yad uktaṁ
he kṛiṣhṇa he yādava he sakheti
ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavedaṁ
mayā pramādāt praṇayena vāpi
sakhā — friend;
iti — as;
matvā — thinking;
prasabham — presumptuously;
yat — whatever;
uktam — addressed;
he kṛiṣhṇa — O Shree Krishna;
he yādava — O Shree Krishna, who was born in the Yadu clan;
he sakhe — O my dear mate;
iti — thus;
ajānatā — in ignorance;
mahimānam — majesty;
tava — your;
idam — this;
mayā — by me;
pramādāt — out of negligence;
praṇayena — out of affection;
vā api — or else;
In this verse, Arjuna is speaking from a place of deep regret and humility. He is reflecting on how he has spoken to Krishna, who is not just his friend but also a divine figure with immense power and presence. Typically, Arjuna would call Krishna with casual names like 'O Krishna!', 'O Yadava!', or 'O Friend!'. It was like how we might call our close friends by their first names without realizing the vastness of who they really are.
Arjuna recognizes that he often treated Krishna as a buddy, someone he could joke around with or rely on like a peer. However, after witnessing Krishna’s mighty universal form, which displayed infinite faces, eyes, and powers beyond comprehension, Arjuna is now aware of Krishna's true nature and greatness. This experience has opened his eyes to Krishna’s position as not just a friend, but the supreme being who is the foundation of everything in the universe.
He acknowledges that he was careless in his approach, almost disrespectful, as he spoke to Krishna without understanding how truly great He is. This is similar to how we might underestimate someone’s abilities and treat them casually, not knowing their potential or importance.
Arjuna’s words show that even in our relationships with those we consider close, there’s a layer of respect that we need to maintain, especially when we realize their higher significance. His feelings of remorse highlight the relationship of love and respect one can have towards someone who is both familiar and powerful.
Ultimately, Arjuna's admission reveals an important truth about devotion: while we can have a friendly bond with divine figures, it is essential to recognize and respect their grandeur. This realization makes Arjuna approach Krishna not just out of affection but with a newfound sense of reverence and humility.