Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.41 सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं
श्लोक 11.41
सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं
हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति ।
अजानता महिमानं तवेदं
मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि ॥
sakheti matvā prasabhaṃ yaduktaṃ
he kṛṣṇa he yādava he sakheti |
ajānatā mahimānaṃ tavedaṃ
mayā pramādātpraṇayena vāpi ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
आपको अपना मित्र मानकर, आपकी इस महिमा को न जानते हुए, असावधानी से या प्रेमवश मैंने हठपूर्वक 'हे कृष्ण, हे यादव, हे सखा' कहकर जो कुछ कहा,
Meaning in English
Thinking of you as a friend, I carelessly called out 'O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend', not knowing this greatness of yours, whether from negligence or from affection,
Bhagavad Gita 11.41 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सखा इति | sakhā iti | as a friend |
| मत्वा | matvā | thinking |
| प्रसभम् | prasabham | rashly, presumptuously |
| यत् उक्तम् | yat uktam | whatever was said |
| हे कृष्ण | he kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| हे यादव | he yādava | O Yadava |
| हे सखे इति | he sakhe iti | O friend |
| अजानता | ajānatā | not knowing |
| महिमानम् | mahimānam | greatness |
| तव | tava | your |
| इदम् | idam | this |
| मया | mayā | by me |
| प्रमादात् | pramādāt | out of carelessness |
| प्रणयेन | praṇayena | out of affection |
| वा अपि | vā api | or even |
Explanation
Whatever I said rashly, thinking of you as a friend — 'O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend' — not knowing this greatness of yours, whether from carelessness or from affection — Arjuna begins an apology that continues into the next verse.
Having seen Krishna's true greatness, Arjuna remembers the easy familiarity of their friendship: calling him by name, by clan, as a companion. He does not regret the love, but fears he was disrespectful. Commentators find this one of the most human moments of the Gita. Vaishnava teachers in particular value the friendship (sakhya) between Krishna and Arjuna, and note that Krishna never objected to it; the Lord who fills the universe was content to be called 'friend'.
भावार्थ
आपकी इस महिमा को न जानते हुए, आपको मित्र मानकर मैंने असावधानी से या प्रेम के कारण भी, 'हे कृष्ण, हे यादव, हे सखा' — इस प्रकार जो कुछ भी बिना सोचे-समझे कह दिया हो, (उसके लिए मैं क्षमा माँगता हूँ — अगले श्लोक में आगे)।
Living it today
Do not take the people closest to you for granted; familiarity can hide how much they truly are.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.41?
Whatever I said rashly, thinking of you as a friend — 'O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend' — not knowing this greatness of yours, whether from carelessness or from affection — Arjuna begins an apology that continues into the next verse.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.41?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.41 in daily life?
Do not take the people closest to you for granted; familiarity can hide how much they truly are.
Reflected on verse 11.41?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.