Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 19
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
शय्यासनाटनविकत्थनभोजनादि ष्वैक्याद्वयस्य ऋतवानिति विप्रलब्ध: । सख्यु: सखेव पितृवत्तनयस्य सर्वं सेहे महान्महितया कुमतेरघं मे ॥ १९ ॥
śayyāsanāṭana-vikatthana-bhojanādiṣv aikyād vayasya ṛtavān iti vipralabdhaḥ sakhyuḥ sakheva pitṛvat tanayasya sarvaṁ sehe mahān mahitayā kumater aghaṁ me
In the oneness of our companionship we would sleep, sit, wander, and dine together. And when speaking of valor, if some impropriety appeared, I would sometimes tease Him, saying, “My friend, how truthful You are!” Yet He—the great Paramātmā—endured every offense born of my folly, excusing me as a true friend excuses a friend, or as a father excuses his son.
Since the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is all-perfect, His transcendental pastimes with His pure devotees never lack anything in any respect, either as a friend, son or lover. The Lord relishes the reproaches of friends, parents or fiancees more than the Vedic hymns offered to Him by great learned scholars and religionists in an official fashion.
FAQs
This verse shows Arjuna admitting that closeness made him treat Krishna as an equal and even mock Him, yet Krishna—being supremely great—patiently tolerated those faults, teaching that the Lord is merciful even when devotees err.
After Krishna’s departure from the world, Arjuna is overwhelmed by separation and reflection; he recalls how, in friendship, he sometimes failed to recognize Krishna’s divine position and now repents those familiar offenses.
Maintain reverence even in closeness—don’t take sacred relationships for granted; if you slip into disrespect, acknowledge it sincerely, cultivate humility, and renew your devotion with gratitude.