Bhagavad Gita 11.44 — Tasmat Pranamya Pranidhaya Kayam — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ११.४४ — तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
तस्मात्
tasmāt
therefore
प्रणम्य
praṇamya
bowing down
प्रणिधाय कायम्
praṇidhāya kāyam
prostrating the body (in full obeisance)
प्रसादये
prasādaye
I implore (Your) grace
त्वाम् अहम्
tvām aham
You, I
ईशम्
īśham
the Lord; the ruler
ईड्यम्
īḍyam
adorable; worthy of praise
पिता इव पुत्रस्य
pitā iva putrasya
as a father (forgives) his son
सखा इव सख्युः
sakhā iva sakhyuḥ
as a friend (forgives) his friend
प्रियः प्रियायाः
priyaḥ priyāyāḥ
as a lover (forgives) his beloved
अर्हसि
arhasi
You should; please deign
देव
deva
O Lord; O God
सोढुम्
soḍhum
to forgive; to bear with
Complete Translation
Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body, I beg Your grace, O adorable Lord. As a father bears with his son, a friend with his friend, and a lover with his beloved, so should You, O God, bear with me and forgive me.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 44
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the eleventh chapter, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, after the overwhelming vision of the universal form, Arjuna is filled with humility. Realizing the supreme majesty of his friend and charioteer, he prostrates and asks Krishna to forgive any past familiarity, appealing to the Lord's love as that of a father, a friend and a beloved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arjuna doing in Bhagavad Gita 11.44?▼
Overwhelmed by the cosmic form, Arjuna prostrates fully before Krishna and humbly begs forgiveness, asking the Lord to pardon him as a father pardons his son, a friend his friend, and a lover his beloved.
Why does Arjuna ask for forgiveness here?▼
Having realized Krishna's supreme, infinite nature, Arjuna feels remorse for the casual, friendly familiarity with which he had treated Krishna before, not fully recognising His divinity. He therefore seeks the Lord's tender forgiveness.
What is the significance of the three relationships mentioned?▼
Arjuna invokes three of the most loving and forgiving human bonds — father and son, friend and friend, lover and beloved — to plead that God forgive him with the same tenderness. It beautifully expresses the intimate, loving relationship possible between the devotee and the Lord.
How can this verse be used in devotional practice?▼
It serves as a heartfelt prayer for forgiveness (kshama-prarthana). Devotees recite it while bowing before the Lord to ask pardon for any faults in their worship or conduct, approaching God with humility and trusting in His loving, forgiving grace.
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