Prayag- a pilgrimage

Week 30, Chapter 11, Shloka 1-14 

Thus, talking about his own vast expanse, Krishna again reminds us that even though he is the best among the best and greatest among the greatest, his persona is never-ending and so, the one who knows Krishna should not discriminate and differentiate between beings—taking someone higher and someone lower is ignorance just like one cannot find the shadow of the Sun. Keeping such practices are like polluting one’s own mind and intellect.

Receiving the true knowledge of the spirit, Arjuna thus moves ahead on the path of becoming Krishna.

In Gyaneshwara’s words, chapter 11 is a Prayag (the juncture of union between two sacred rivers), is a pilgrimage and offers a unique amalgamation of peace and awe. Arjuna being the first visitor followed by the rest who come to quench their thirst of self-knowledge; and since the sacred knowledge Gyaneshwara translates in a language of commoners, he is only grateful to be a divine instrument in performing this auspicious task.

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर |

द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम || 3||

evam etad yathāttha tvam ātmānaṁ parameśhvara
draṣhṭum ichchhāmi te rūpam aiśhwaraṁ puruṣhottama

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |

योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् || 4||

manyase yadi tach chhakyaṁ mayā draṣhṭum iti prabho
yogeśhvara tato me tvaṁ darśhayātmānam avyayam

Arjuna now wants to know the whole persona of Krishna ‘in experience’, since he very well knows that he is asking the one who is the only one capable to show it. However, he (Arjuna) hesitates as he is doubting his eligibility, but at the same time he knows the potential of the opportunity he is given so, let Krishna decides (whether to show his complete form to Arjuna or not)- thinks Arjuna. Arjuna also requests Krishna to give him ‘Patrata’ (the vessel-like hollowness) to contain/retain the knowledge.

P.S. Understanding through the path of Arjuna, the first step towards becoming I think is, to know 'I am not that' and I have to become that—second is to ‘ask’ for Patrata (in order to retain that what is given). Third, let the divine decide the course of experience- when, where, how?