यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु। एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम्।।11.42।।
yac ca avahāsārtham asatkṛto'si vihāraśayyāsanabhōjaneṣu ekah athavā api cyuta tat samakṣaṃ tat kṣāmaye tvām aham aprameyam
Translation
Whatever disrespect I have shown to You, whether in mockery, while wandering, on the bed, on the seat, at meals, either alone or in the presence of the respectable, I beg forgiveness, O Acyuta, the Inconceivable.
Word Meanings
यत् — whatever; च — and; आवहासार्थम् — for the sake of mockery; असत्कृतोऽसि — you have acted without truth; विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु — in recreation, on the bed, on the seat, at meals; एकः — alone; अथवा — or; अपि — also; च्युत — Acyuta (Krishna); तत् — that; समक्षम् — directly; तत् — for that; क्षामयेत् — I seek forgiveness; त्वां — you; अहम् — I; अप्रमेयम् — the inconceivable
Understanding the Verse
In this poignant verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna humbles himself before Krishna, acknowledging the many ways in which he has unintentionally insulted the Divine. The phrase yacca avahāsārtham asatkṛto'si admits that Arjuna has acted inappropriately for the sake of jest or casual play, failing to recognize the sanctity of Krishna's presence. By listing vihāraśayyāsanabhōjaneṣu, Arjuna enumerates the various ordinary contexts—recreation, lying on a bed, sitting, and sharing meals—where his lack of reverence might have been perceived. This comprehensive confession reveals Arjuna's deep self‑scrutiny and his desire to rectify even the subtlest lapses.
The expression eko' athavā api cyuta expands the scope of his apology. Whether he is eko (alone) or api (in the company) of others, his remorse remains unchanged. By invoking the name Cyuta, a reverential epithet for Krishna meaning “the one who is always shining,” Arjuna emphasizes that the Divine is ever‑present, transcending external circumstances. The term tat samakṣam underscores that his apology is direct and sincere, aimed straight at Krishna's heart.
Arjuna’s plea tat kṣāmaye tvām aham aprameyam translates to a request for forgiveness from the aprameyam—the inconceivable, limitless aspect of the Divine. By addressing Krishna as aprameyam, Arjuna acknowledges the boundless, incomprehensible nature of God, reinforcing the humility required to approach such a supreme being.
The theological significance of this verse lies in its demonstration of bhakti (devotional humility). Even a warrior of Arjuna's stature, who has displayed valor and mastery in battle, must bow before the Divine, recognizing that all actions are subject to divine oversight. This humility is not merely a social courtesy; it is a prerequisite for spiritual progress, teaching that acknowledgment of one's shortcomings is essential for attaining divine grace.
From a philosophical perspective, the verse illustrates the Gita’s broader theme that the material world, with its pleasures and daily routines, can become stages for divine interaction. By confessing disrespect in everyday activities, Arjuna teaches that every moment—whether in leisure, rest, or sustenance—offers an opportunity for reverence. The universal lesson for modern readers is that mindfulness and respect for the divine should permeate all facets of life, not just the overtly sacred or ceremonial ones.
In summary, Chapter 11, Verse 42 serves as a model of sincere contrition, reminding seekers that true devotion involves recognizing and rectifying even the smallest missteps, thereby opening the heart to divine forgiveness and ultimate liberation.
