Gita 11.42
Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु । एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम् ॥
yac cāvahāsārtham asatkṛto 'si vihāra-śayyāsana-bhojaneṣu | eko 'thavāpy acyuta tat-samakṣaṁ tat kṣāmaye tvām aham aprameyam ||
In essence: Whatever dishonor I showed You in jest - while relaxing, lying in bed, sitting, eating - whether alone or before others - O Infallible One, I beg forgiveness from You, the Immeasurable.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Arjuna actually mocked Krishna? That seems disrespectful even without knowing Krishna's cosmic nature."
Guru: "Friends mock each other - it's a sign of intimacy. 'Avahāsa' is joking, teasing, playful ribbing. Between equals it's affection. But Krishna wasn't an equal - Arjuna just didn't know it."
Sadhak: "Why list all these contexts - relaxing, bed, sitting, eating?"
Guru: "These are the unguarded moments. In formal settings we're careful. In leisure, truth shows. Arjuna is essentially saying: everywhere I dropped my guard, I treated You as ordinary. Now I see those were the moments I was most wrong."
Sadhak: "Why does it matter whether it was alone or before others?"
Guru: "Several reasons. Public disrespect compounds private disrespect. But also - 'alone' with Krishna was never alone. The cosmic witness was always present. And if others saw Arjuna mock Krishna, what example did that set? Now Arjuna realizes he may have influenced others to disrespect the Divine."
Sadhak: "'Aprameyam' - the Immeasurable. Why use this particular name here?"
Guru: "After seeing infinite arms, infinite mouths, infinite worlds within Krishna, 'immeasurable' is literal truth. Arjuna has been trying to measure, contain, joke about, treat casually - that which cannot be measured. The name carries humility: I cannot even fathom what I was joking about."
Sadhak: "Will Krishna forgive him? Is forgiveness needed?"
Guru: "Krishna's response soon comes - He reassures Arjuna that He was never offended, that their friendship is dear to Him. The forgiveness was already present; only Arjuna's need to ask for it is new."
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Intimate space inventory: List the people who share your intimate spaces - who eats with you, who has access to you relaxing, who sees you unguarded. Recognize these are the relationships where you're most 'yourself' - and potentially most carelessly yourself. Set intention: today I will bring consciousness to my unguarded moments.
Jest awareness: Notice when you mock or tease today - friends, colleagues, family. Without stopping yourself, simply observe: what is my intention? Is this affectionate or dismissive? Would I say this if I saw their full depth? Teasing can be loving or subtly degrading; awareness helps distinguish.
Apology meditation: Is there anyone you've treated casually who deserved more regard? Not necessarily a cosmic being, but someone whose depth you didn't honor - a parent, teacher, friend? Without necessarily reaching out, sit with the recognition. Feel Arjuna's 'tat kṣāmaye' - that asking for forgiveness that comes from seeing clearly. Let this soften how you'll engage tomorrow.