In Bhagavad Gita 11.42, Arjuna asks the immeasurable Krishna to forgive whatever disrespect he showed in jest, while playing, resting, sitting or eating, alone or in company.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि
विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु
एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं
तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम् ॥ ११-४२ ॥
yaccāvahāsārthamasatkṛto’si
vihāraśayyāsanabhojaneṣu
eko’thavāpyacyuta tatsamakṣaṃ
tatkṣāmaye tvāmahamaprameyam
English transliteration yachchaavahaasaarthamasatkrito’si
vihaarashayyaasanabhojaneshu
eko’thavaapyachyuta tatsamaksham
tatkshaamaye tvaamahamaprameyam ॥ 11.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
and whatever disrespect I showed You in jest, while playing, resting, sitting or eating, alone or in the presence of others, O Achyuta, for that I ask forgiveness of You, the immeasurable One.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यत् yat | whatever |
| च ca | and |
| अवहासार्थम् avahāsārtham | in jest avahāsa (jest) + artham (for the sake of) |
| असत्कृतः asatkṛtaḥ | disrespected |
| असि asi | You were |
| विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु vihāraśayyāsanabhojaneṣu | while playing, resting, sitting or eating vihāra (playing) + śayyā (resting) + āsana (sitting) + bhojaneṣu (eating) |
| एकः ekaḥ | alone |
| अथवा athavā | or |
| अपि api | also |
| अच्युत acyuta | O Acyuta |
| तत्समक्षम् tatsamakṣam | in the presence of others tat (them) + samakṣam (in presence) |
| तत् tat | that |
| क्षामये kṣāmaye | I ask forgiveness |
| त्वाम् tvām | of You |
| अहम् aham | I |
| अप्रमेयम् aprameyam | the immeasurable |
Word-wise Chanting
- yac–cā–va–hā–sār–tha–ma–sat–kṛ–to–‘si 11 syllables yach-chaa-va-haa-saar-tha-ma-sat-kri-to-‘si
- vi–hā–ra–śay–yā–sa–na–bho–ja–ne–ṣu | 11 syllables vi-haa-ra-shay-yaa-sa-na-bho-ja-ne-shu
- e–ko–‘tha–vāp–yac–yu–ta tat–sa–ma–kṣaṃ 11 syllables e-ko-‘tha-vaap-yach-yu-ta tat-sa-ma-ksham
- tat–kṣā–ma–ye tvā–ma–ha–map–ra–me–yam || 11-42 11 syllables tat-kshaa-ma-ye tvaa-ma-ha-map-ra-me-yam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 11 Verse 42
Context
The sentence begun in 11.41 is completed here.
Meaning
Arjuna asks forgiveness for any disrespect shown in jest during the ordinary moments of shared life: play, rest, sitting together or eating, whether alone or in company. He now calls Krishna aprameya, immeasurable.
Seeing the Divine clearly makes us aware of our past carelessness. The right response is not guilt but a humble request for forgiveness.
In Practice
If you have been careless or dismissive toward someone or something sacred, ask forgiveness sincerely today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (The Vision of the Universal Form). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.