Shloka 4
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
सख्यं मैत्रीं सौहृदं च सारथ्यादिषु संस्मरन् । नृपमग्रजमित्याह बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा ॥ ४ ॥
sakhyaṁ maitrīṁ sauhṛdaṁ ca sārathyādiṣu saṁsmaran nṛpam agrajam ity āha bāṣpa-gadgadayā girā
شری کرشن کی دوستی، محبت، خیرخواہی، احسانات، خاندانی قربت اور رتھ ہانکنے جیسی خدمت کو یاد کرتے ہوئے، ارجن آنسوؤں سے بھری گدگد آواز میں اپنے بڑے بھائی بادشاہ یدھشٹھیر سے بولنے لگا۔
The supreme living being is perfect in all relations with His pure devotee. Śrī Arjuna is one of the typical pure devotees of the Lord reciprocating in the fraternal relationship, and the Lord’s dealings with Arjuna are displays of friendship of the highest perfect order. He was not only a well-wisher of Arjuna but actually a benefactor, and to make it still more perfect the Lord tied him into a family relationship by arranging Subhadrā’s marriage with him. And above all, the Lord agreed to become a chariot driver of Arjuna in order to protect His friend from warfare risks, and the Lord became actually happy when He established the Pāṇḍavas to rule over the world. Arjuna remembered all these one after another, and thus he became overwhelmed with such thoughts.
FAQs
This verse highlights that recalling Kṛṣṇa’s intimate dealings—such as His humble service as a charioteer—awakens deep devotional emotion and intensifies loving remembrance.
Because remembrance of Kṛṣṇa’s closeness with the Pāṇḍavas and the pain of separation stirred powerful bhakti, making Yudhiṣṭhira’s speech tremble with tears and emotion.
Regularly remember Kṛṣṇa’s kindness and personal care for His devotees (through study, japa, and kīrtana); such remembrance softens the heart and strengthens devotion during times of loss or change.