FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 11.40

నమ: పురస్తాదథ పృష్ఠతస్తే నమోఽస్తు తే సర్వత ఏవ సర్వ । అనన్తవీర్యామితవిక్రమస్త్వం సర్వం సమాప్‍నోషి తతోఽసి సర్వ: ॥ ౪౦ ॥
namaḥ purastād atha pṛṣṭhatas te
[namah purastaad atha prishthatas te]
namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva
[namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva]
ananta-vīryāmita-vikramas tvaṁ
[ananta-veeryaamita-vikramas tvam]
sarvaṁ samāpnoṣi tato ’si sarvaḥ
[sarvam samaapnoshi tato ’si sarvah]
namaḥ — offering obeisances purastāt — from the front atha — also pṛṣṭhataḥ — from behind te — unto You namaḥ astu — I offer my respects te — unto You sarvataḥ — from all sides eva — indeed sarva — because You are everything ananta - vīrya — unlimited potency amita - vikramaḥ — and unlimited force tvam — You sarvam — everything samāpnoṣi — You cover tataḥ — therefore asi — You are sarvaḥ — everything .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
namaḥ purastād atha pṛṣṭhatas te
namaḥ
offering obeisances
purastāt
from the front
atha
also
pṛṣṭhataḥ
from behind
te
unto You
namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva
namaḥ astu
I offer my respects
te
unto You
sarvataḥ
from all sides
eva
indeed
sarva
because You are everything
ananta-vīryāmita-vikramas tvaṁ
ananta - vīrya
unlimited potency
amita - vikramaḥ
and unlimited force
tvam
You
sarvaṁ samāpnoṣi tato ’si sarvaḥ
sarvam
everything
samāpnoṣi
You cover
tataḥ
therefore
asi
You are
sarvaḥ
everything .
  • purastāt — from the front
    Adverb — 'in front.' The first direction of Arjuna's bow. Forward is the warrior's natural orientation; he begins his prostration there.
  • pṛṣṭhataḥ — from behind
    Adverb — 'from the rear.' Arjuna cannot turn his back even there — He is behind too. The blind side of ordinary life is closed.
  • sarvataḥ — from all sides
    Adverb — 'in every direction.' Once front and back are claimed, the rest follows. The grammar enumerates and then totals.
  • ananta - vīrya — O unlimited prowess
    Vocative compound: an-anta + vīrya. The same vīrya named in 11.19. Repetition concentrates the title at the verse of total obeisance.
  • amita - vikramaḥ — of immeasurable might
    Compound: a-mita (not-measured) + vikrama (heroic stride). Vikrama recalls Vāmana's strides; Arjuna names the Lord by the very category that 11.20 described as filling heaven and earth.
  • samāpnoṣi — You completely pervade
    Second-person singular present of sam-āp, 'to reach completely.' The verb of cosmic completion: nothing is left over, nothing is unreached.
Obeisances to You from the front, from behind and from all sides! O unbounded power, You are the master of limitless might! You are all-pervading, and thus You are everything!

Out of loving ecstasy for Kṛṣṇa, his friend, Arjuna is offering his respects from all sides. He is accepting that He is the master of all potencies and all prowess and far superior to all the great warriors assembled on the battlefield. It is said in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (1.9.69): yo ’yaṁ tavāgato deva samīpaṁ devatā-gaṇaḥ sa tvam eva jagat-sraṣṭā yataḥ sarva-gato bhavān “Whoever comes before You, even if he be a demigod, is created by You, O Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
40. I offer respects from the back, from the front, from all sides, O person who is everything! You have infinite power, with immeasurable skill. You pervade everywhere, and therefore You are everything. 41-42. I beg pardon from You, not knowing this greatness of Yours, and through want of consideration or through affection, looking upon You, the immeasurable, as a friend, for whatever I have said rudely, such as addressing You “O Kṛṣṇa, O Yādava, O friend”, and for whatever disrespect I have shown to You in fun, while playing, lying, sitting together or dining, whether alone or in the company of others.
Commentary

You pervade all of this universe (sarvaṁ samāpnoṣi), since it is Your product, like gold in earrings and bracelets. Thus You are everything.

“O, I have committed the greatest offense to You, who are filled with such great, great powers.” In this way, Arjuna manifests great regret. “O Kṛṣṇa (he kṛṣṇa), You are well known as the son of Vasudeva who is not famous, who was a human, a mediocre fighter situated on the same chariot as another fighter (ardha ratha). I, Arjuna, am well known as the son of a king, Pāṇḍu, a great warrior fighting on his own chariot (atiratha). [Note: This is the implication of Arjuna calling out “Kṛṣṇa.” Each of the three names of address implies that Kṛṣṇa is in a low position, not suitable in addressing the Supreme Lord.] O Yādava (he yādava), You do not have the king’s position in the Yadu dynasty. But I have kingship over the Puru dynasty. (The sandhi of sakha with iti is poetic license) O friend (he sakha), my friendship with You is not because of the greatness of Your forefathers nor because of the reputation of Your family, but it is simply based on familiarity. I beg pardon for such rough words (prasabham) I have spoken, for intending the above meanings.” The sense of verse 41 is continued in verse 42 with the verb kṣamaye. The proper form of the verb would be kṣamayām (I should beg for forgiveness). Either through negligence or out of affection, not knowing You as the universal form (mahimānam), I have treated You badly during leisure and other times, in order to joke. I have scolded You with sarcastic words saying that You are truthful, innocent, and very gullible. I beg forgiveness for the thousands of offenses produced when You were alone, not in the presence of friends, or when You were surrounded by friends who were joking (tat samakṣam). O master, I beg You to forgive me (kṣamaye).

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
40. I offer respects in the back, in the front, on all sides, O person who is everything! You have infinite power and immeasurable skill. You pervade everywhere, and therefore You are everything. 41-42. I beg pardon from you, not knowing Your greatness, and through want of consideration or through affection, looking upon You, the immeasurable, as a friend, for whatever I have said rudely, such as addressing You “O Kṛṣṇa, O Yādava, O friend”, and for whatever disrespect I have shown to You in fun, while playing, lying, sitting together or dining, whether alone or in the company of others.
Commentary

Out of great devotion, not knowing how much could ever be sufficient, Arjuna offers repeated obeisances. O everything (sarva)! I offer respects to You who are situated in the back, in the front, everywhere (sarvataḥ). You have unlimited physical strength (vīṛya) and immeasurable mental strength (amita vikrama) so that You are expert in applying scriptures. (The compound is grammatically called karma-dhāraya.) This indicates that others have only single powers: some like Bhīma have extreme physical strength, and others like Duryodhana have extreme intelligence for learning. Arjuna then tells the cause of Kṛṣṇa being all forms. You reach everything (sarvam samāpnosi). Therefore You are everything. Viṣṇu Purāṇa confirms this: yo’yaṁ tavāgato deva samīpaṁ devatā-gaṇaḥ sa tvam eva jagat-sraṣṭā yataḥ sarva-gato bhavān O Lord, the devatās who approach You are indeed You, the creator of the universe, because You are everywhere. Viṣṇu Purāṇa1.9.70 Bg 11.41, Bg 11.42, Bg 11.41-42 Sa%eiTa MaTva Pa[Sa>a& Yadu¢&- he k*-Z<a he Yaadv he Sa%eiTa ) AJaaNaTaa MaihMaaNa& Taved& MaYaa Pa[MaadaTPa[<aYaeNa vaiPa )) 41 )) YaṀavhaSaaQaRMaSaTk*-Taae_iSa ivharXaYYaaSaNa>aaeJaNaezu ) Wk-ae_QavaPYaCYauTa TaTSaMa+a& TaT+aaMaYae TvaMahMaPa[MaeYaMa( )) 42 )) sakheti matvā prasabhaṁ yad uktaṁ he kṛṣṇa he yādava he sakheti ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavedaṁ mayā pramādāt praṇayena vāpi yac cāvahāsārtham asat-kṛto 'si vihāra-śayyāsana-bhojaneṣu eko 'tha vāpy acyuta tat-samakṣaṁ tat kṣāmaye tvām aham aprameyam sakhā—friend; iti—thus; matvā—thinking; prasabham—presumptuously; yat—whatever; uktam—said; he kṛṣṇa—O Kṛṣṇa; he yādava—O Yādava; he sakhe—O my dear friend; iti—thus; ajānatā—without knowing; mahimānam—glories; tava—Your; idam—this; mayā—by me; pramādāt—out of foolishness; praṇayena—out of love; vā api—either; yat—whatever; ca—also; avahāsa-artham—for joking; asat-kṛtaḥ—dishonored; asi—You have been; vihāra—in relaxation; śayyā—in lying down; āsana—in sitting; bhojaneṣu—or while eating together; ekaḥ—alone; atha vā—or; api—also; acyuta—O infallible one; tat-samakṣam—among companions; tat—all those; kṣāmaye—ask forgiveness; tvām—from You; aham—I; aprameyam—immeasurable.

Seeing his friend Kṛṣṇa with a thousand heads, having praising Him and offering respects to Him, Arjuna now shows suitable reverential courtesy in two verses, out of friendship mixed with knowledge of Him as the Lord.

Thinking that You, Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, were only my friend, not realizing (ajānatā) Your greatness as the universal form with a thousand heads, I would suddenly speak to You carelessly, not respectfully (pramādāt) or out of affection as a friend (praṇayena). Now I beg forgiveness for that. “What would you say?” I would say, “O Kṛṣṇa, O Yādava, O friend!” The elision of words in sakheti is for metrical reasons. Addressing the Lord with these names shows lack of respect. Addressing Kṛṣṇa without the prefix Śrī is disrespectful. He should address Him as “Ṣrī Kṛṣṇa.” Addressing Him as Yādava is disrespectful because he does not announce Kṛṣṇa’s kingly position in that family. (He should address Him with such terms as “best of the Yadus.”) Addressing Him as “friend” is disrespectful, because he treats the Lord as his equal. Moreover, while playing, resting, sitting or eating, for joking, I have treated you disrespectfully. You are truthful and straightforward, but by suggestive words I have insulted You, either while alone or in the presence of other joking friends (tat samakṣam). Please forgive all that I said, or treatment I gave You, which produced offense, O Lord. In this way I entreat You, O Acyuta, who remains a friend unfailingly, even undergoing offense by me! That is possible because You have inconceivable power (aprameyam).

Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

COMMON THEME: Arjuna prays in faltering voice

In which mood – as a devotee in the mood of ‘wonder’ (11.35)

PLEASE NOTE: The mains points refer to Arjuna’s Prayers. The subpoints include all points of the purports; as such

there are no individual ‘Focus of Learning’ sections for these verses.

ARJUNA’S PRAYERS

(a) Arjuna recognizes Krishna’s action as All-good for everyone after hearing from Krishna the outcome of

battlefield and observing Universal form and response of demigods and demons (11.36)

The world becomes joyful on hearing Your name and everyone becomes attached to You
You are worshiped by great souls and demons are afraid and flee away

(b) Krishna is worshipable by everyone – “You rightly deserve the obeisances of everyone” (11.37)

because:

You are the God of all the Gods, the original creator, especially even greater than Brahma, secondary creator
Invincible source of all and cause of all causes
Transcendental to material manifestations
‘Aksaram’ – not perishable like material creation)
‘Mahatma’ – Most magnanimous and unlimited
‘Ananta’ – Nothing is not covered by Lord’s influence and energy
‘Devesa’ – He is the controller of demigods and is above them all

(c) You are the ultimate rest of everything and all knowledge (11.38)

‘Nidhanam’ – Ultimate rest even from Brahman.
Knower of everything in this world and You are all that is knowable
Object of all knowledge because You are All pervading

(d) You are the essence of everything (11.39)

You are air (Air being all-pervasive is the most important representation of the demigods)
You are fire, water, moon
You are Brahma (Pitamaha) / You are Prapitamaha (because He is the father of Brahmaji)
You are the Supreme controller

(e) I offer you obeisances from front, behind and from all sides (11.40)

Arjuna is offering obeisances out of loving ecstasy, accepting that ‘’He is the master of limitless power’’ and ‘’He is far superior to all the great warriors assembled on the battlefield’’ (Ref. Visnu Purana – All have been created by you, any demigod or anyone)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION IV

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Lord of all. He is simultaneously

involved in an intimate relationship of love with His pure devotees

ARJUNA’S PRAYERS continued…

(f) Begs forgiveness for treating Krishna, the Infallible One, as an ordinary friend (11.41* – 11.42*)

Not knowing Krishna’s glories, Arjuna feels that he has offended Krishna in ‘madness’ or in ‘love’, and begs to be excused for many informal gestures like,
Called Krishna as Yadava or Krishna or dishonoured him many times.
Jesting as we relaxed
Lay on the same bed / sat / ate together
Never knew Krishna could accept such a Universal form
Cannot forget the relationship of a friend – The relationship between a living-entity and Krishna is fixed eternally, it cannot be forgotten, as evident from Arjuna’s behaviour

(g) You are the supreme father (11.43)

Supreme spiritual master – Gave this knowledge to Brahma / Arjuna
You are the greatest – No-one is greater than or equal to You nor can anyone be one with You. References for Lord’s Supreme greatness:
No difference between Krishna’s body and self (Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.8)
Senses are interchangeable
Birth and activities are transcendental (Bg. 4.9)
Krishna is one God – All the living entities are His servants, no-one can deny His order (Ref. CC “ekale ishvara...”)
Cause of all causes (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.1)

(h) Falls to the ground and begs for mercy – Requests Him to tolerate all wrong-doings (11.44) just like –

Analogies:

Father – Tolerates the impudence of his son
Friend – Impertinence of a friend
“Krishna – Arjuna” relationship is that of friendship
Wife – Familiarity of her partner

(i) Requests to withdraw the fearsome Form and reveal the form as Personality of Godhead (11.45)

Indicates Arjuna is ‘afraid’ and ‘joyful’ simultaneously
Afraid because of so many offenses committed
Joyful because He is gladdened by knowing his Friend’s opulence as Supreme Personality of Godhead and His ability to show the Universal Form
It proves that Krishna can assume any form, as He is asked here to show His Narayana Form
Universal Form is a temporary Form; but Vaikuntha form is transcendental, four-handed and eternal.
Different Narayanas are named according to the different configurations of the four hands
Arjuna’s request to see the four-handed form indicates that All the forms are one with Krishna

(j) Wants to see the four-handed form (11.46)

Texts 11.45 & 11.46 indicate that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and He is the source of all forms and incarnations (Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.39)
This verse establishes without any doubt the statement of Srimad Bhagavatam that Krishna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead
Constant feature in these forms – He is always fresh like a young man
He is non-different from His plenary expansions
He is God in any of His innumerable forms
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
11.40 Namah, salutation to You; purastat, in the East; atha, and; even prsthatah, behind. Salutation be sarvatah, on all sides; eva, indeed; te, to You who exist everywhere; sarva, O All! Tvam, You; are ananta-virya-amita-vikramah, possessed of infinite strength and infinite heroism. virya is strength, and vikramah is heroism. Someone though possessing strength for the use of weapons etc. [Ast. reads 'satru-vadha-visaye, in the matter of killing an enemy'.-Tr.] may lack heroism or have little heroism. But You are possessed of infinite strength and infinite heroism. Samapnosi, You pervade, interpenetrate; sarvam, everything, the whole Universe, by Your single Self. Tatah, hence; asi, You are; sarvah, All, i.e., no entity exists without You. 'Since I am guilty of not knowing Your greatness, therefore,'-
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
11.40 You, of infinite prowess and measureless heroic action, pervade all beings as their very Self and therefore, are, in reality all of them. Terms, naming all other entities, are truly naming You; for they, both sentient as well as non-sentient, constitute Your body, and as such are just Your modes. Therefore You alone, having them all as Your modes, are signified by all terms standing for them. In the texts, 'O by You of infinite form, is the cosmos pervaded' (11.38) and 'You pervade all, and hence are all' (11.40), it is clearly stated that the pervasion as the Self is the only rationale for speaking of them as one with You, in the sense of co-ordinate predication as in the text, 'You are the imperishable and also being and non-being' (11.37) and 'You are Vayu, Yama and Agni' (11.39).
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
11.39-40 Namo namah etc. Salutation and salutation : This repetition reveals the intensity of the devotion. What has been taught by the past chapters by the Bhagavat regarding His own intrinsic nature, Arjuna - witnessing the same by perception - declares it openly by way of devotional hymn. Hence, to comment on the hymn would symply amount to the repetition [of what has already been said by us]. Hence, let me (11.Ag.) abstain [from commenting on it].
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
11.40 Salutations to Thee, in front and behind! Salutations to Thee on every side! O All!! Thou infinite in power and prowess, pervadest all; wherefore Thou art all.
Commentary

11.40 नमः salutation? पुरस्तात् (from) front? अथ also? पृष्ठतः (from) behind? ते to Thee? नमः salutation? अस्तु be? ते to Thee? सर्वतः on every side? एव even? सर्व O all? अनन्तवीर्य infinite power? अमितविक्रमः infinite in prowess? त्वम् Thou? सर्वम् all? समाप्नोषि pervadest? ततः wherefore? असि (Thou) art? सर्वः all.Commentary The words I prostrate myself before Thee? behind Thee and on every side indicate the allpervading nature of the Lord. How can the allpervading Self have front and back Finite objects only have front and back sides Arjuna imagined that there were front and back sides to the Lord and so prostrated himself in his extreme faith and devotion.O All Nothing exists without Thee. As the Self is allpervading? He is called the All. There is nothing except the Self.On every side? as Thou art present everywhere or in all arters.One may be powerful but may not possess the courage to kill the enemies or he may be endowed with a mild form of courge but the Lord is infinite in courage and infinite in power.Pervadest by Thy One Self.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
11.40 Salutation to You in the East and behind. Salutation be to You on all sides in deed, O All! You are possessed of infinite strength and infinite heroism. You pervade everything; hence You are all!
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
11.40 Salutations to Thee in front and on every side, Thou who encompasseth me round about. Thy power is infinite; Thy majesty immeasurable; thou upholdest all things; yea,Thou Thyself art All.
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Arjava (Simplicity / Straightforwardness)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)
Related verses
Obeisances from in front, behind, all sides — You are the All; You are everything.
Practical Applications
  • Develop 360-degree reverence — Kṛṣṇa is everywhere.
  • Bow not just toward an icon but in all directions internally.
  • Practice all-sided respect.
Reflection Questions
  • From which side do I most often forget Him?
  • What practice would restore the surround?

Imagine standing at the centre of a sphere and bowing — there is no direction that is not 'toward.' Arjuna's obeisance in this verse has lost its directionality because the Lord has filled every direction; bowing forward, backward, and to every side, he ratifies what he has finally seen.

📝 My note

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