tasmāt praṇamya praṇidhāya kāyaṁ
prasādaye tvām aham īśham īḍyam
piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuḥ
priyaḥ priyāyārhasi deva soḍhum
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
In this verse, Arjuna is expressing how he feels about Krishna, whom he recognizes as the Supreme Lord or God. He humbly bows down, showing great respect and asking Krishna for forgiveness for any mistakes he might have made. Arjuna compares his relationship with Krishna to different types of close relationships we have in life:
1. **Like a Father to a Son:** Just as a father shows love and patience to his son, Arjuna feels that Krishna, as a divine father figure, should also forgive him for any errors. Fathers are usually understanding and care for their children despite their mistakes, and Arjuna is hoping for that same kind of compassion.
2. **Like Friends:** In friendship, it's common to overlook each other's faults. Friends support one another and provide comfort during tough times. Arjuna feels a bond of friendship with Krishna and wants Krishna to treat him as a close friend would, forgiving any wrongs that may have occurred between them.
3. **Like a Lover to a Beloved:** This comparison reflects a deeper emotional connection. Just as lovers share a strong bond and understand each other's feelings, Arjuna seeks a similar deep understanding from Krishna. He feels that Krishna should be compassionate toward him, just like a beloved person would be toward their significant other, supporting and forgiving them.
By using these comparisons, Arjuna emphasizes that he sees Krishna not just as a deity or a supreme power but as someone he has a close, personal relationship with. He feels grateful and respectful, acknowledging Krishna's power but also seeking kindness and understanding in return.
This verse beautifully illustrates how one can relate to God on many levels—seeing Him as a nurturing father, a supportive friend, or a loving partner—showing the personal nature of spirituality where connection, love, and forgiveness matter deeply.