ākhyāhi me ko bhavān ugra-rūpo namo 'stu te deva-vara prasīda vijñātum icchāmi bhavantam ādyaṁ na hi prajānāmi tava pravṛttim
"Tell me who You are in this terrible form. Salutations to You, O greatest of gods, be gracious. I wish to know You, the primeval one, for I do not understand Your intention."
What This Means:
Arjuna asks directly: WHO ARE YOU? He bows, asks for grace, wants to understand Krishna's intention (pravritti). The question is urgent—he's overwhelmed and needs clarity.
Going Deeper:
Despite all the teaching, face-to-face with THIS form, Arjuna needs to ask again. Intellectual understanding isn't enough when confronting cosmic reality directly. 'What is your purpose?' (pravritti—intention/activity)
How To Apply This:
Even after learning, direct encounter may require re-asking basic questions. 'Who are you really?' is valid at every stage. Understanding deepens through repeated inquiry.
Key Sanskrit Terms: