Whatever disrespect I showed you in jest, while walking, resting, sitting, eating, alone or before others, I ask your immeasurable forgiveness.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.42
Hindi · हिन्दी
आपकी महिमा और स्वरूपको न जानते हुए मेरे सखा हैं ऐसा मानकर मैंने प्रमादसे अथवा प्रेमसे भी हठपूर्वक बिना सोचेसमझे हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखे इस प्रकार जो कुछ कहा है और हे अच्युत हँसीदिल्लगीमें, चलतेफिरते, सोतेजागते, उठतेबैठते, खातेपीते समयमें अकेले अथवा उन सखाओं, कुटुम्बियों आदिके सामने मेरे द्वारा आपका जो कुछ तिरस्कार किया गया है, वह सब अप्रमेस्वरूप आपसे मैं क्षमा करवाता हूँ ॥
Arjuna asks Krishna to forgive every careless or disrespectful thing he said or did, in private and in public.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has just seen Krishna's cosmic form and feels overwhelmed by his own carelessness. He now confesses the many times he treated Krishna casually or disrespectfully, and begs forgiveness before the divine presence.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You realize, too late, how casually you spoke to someone who was carrying more than you knew. The apology is no longer about saving face; it is about seeing clearly.
The takeaway
“A humble heart can repair what pride once damaged.”
Arjuna asks Krishna to forgive every careless or disrespectful thing he said or did, in private and in public.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.42?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga" (The Universal Form).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 11.42?
Verse 42 sits in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, "The Universal Form". The chapter has 55 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 11.42 matter today?
You realize, too late, how casually you spoke to someone who was carrying more than you knew. The apology is no longer about saving face; it is about seeing clearly.
It shifts the mind from familiarity to reverence, and from embarrassment to honest repair.
What this verse means
Arjuna asks Krishna to forgive every careless or disrespectful thing he said or did, in private and in public.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has just seen Krishna's cosmic form and feels overwhelmed by his own carelessness. He now confesses the many times he treated Krishna casually or disrespectfully, and begs forgiveness before the divine presence.
Why this verse still matters
You realize, too late, how casually you spoke to someone who was carrying more than you knew. The apology is no longer about saving face; it is about seeing clearly.
“A humble heart can repair what pride once damaged.”
Explore related themes: vishwarupa (50 verses), arjuna prayer (14 verses)