Arjuna's Requests - Setting the Standard for Pure Devotion
The history of the Pāṇḍavas is a testament to unalloyed surrender. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by examining the specific requests Arjuna made to Lord Kṛṣṇa throughout the Bhagavad-gītā, one can clearly understand the difference between a materially motivated worshiper and a pure devotee acting solely for the benefit of human society.
The Request for the Universal Form
The most famous request in the Bhagavad-gītā was for Kṛṣṇa to display His universal form. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Arjuna's request was not for his own conviction, but to establish a foolproof standard by which future generations could test anyone falsely claiming to be God.
- Bhagavad-gita was specifically spoken to Arjuna, and the visva-rupa was exhibited before him at his request.
- In the Eleventh Chapter Arjuna requested Krsna that "If you think, You can show me Your universal form," so that in future others will accept some bogus rascal as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he may test by seeing.
- Krsna taught Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita, and Arjuna also accepted Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but for our understanding Arjuna requested the Lord to manifest His universal form, thus testing whether He was actually the Supreme Lord.
- That form was exhibited by Krsna at the request of Arjuna because in the future, when one represents himself as an incarnation of God, people can ask to see his universal form.
Returning to the Original Form
As a pure devotee, Arjuna found no lasting pleasure in the terrifying, gigantic manifestation of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Arjuna specifically requested Kṛṣṇa to withdraw this form and return to His beautiful, personal feature.
- Lord Krsna, by the request of Arjuna, exhibited His virat-rupa for the asuras. A pure devotee of the Lord, being unaccustomed to looking into such a mundane gigantic form of the Lord, requires special vision for the purpose.
- When Arjuna was shown the virat-rupa of Krsna, he saw it, but he did not want to see it perpetually. He requested the Lord to return to His original form as two-armed Krsna.
- All of these forms are one and the same to Krsna; therefore Arjuna requests to see His four-handed feature.
- He (Vamanadeva) acted exactly like Lord Krsna, who, at the request of Arjuna, first showed His universal form and later resumed His original form as Krsna.
Unmotivated Pure Devotion
Despite enduring continuous hardships, the Pāṇḍavas never asked the Lord for material relief. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that Arjuna's requests were completely devoid of personal motive, desiring only the Lord's presence and service.
- Arjuna never requested Krsna that "My dear Krsna, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and we are in so much difficulties. You cannot give us relief?" No, you will never find.
- Krsna is always with Arjuna, but you'll never find they have requested, "Krsna, I am Your friend, and I am in so much difficulty." This is pure devotion. I love God. God may give me any kind of trouble - I don't mind; I will suffer patiently.
- Arjuna did not know anything but Krsna, and Arjuna requested that Krsna be present on his side in the battle.
- The girl Yamuna knew it well that Arjuna was a great devotee of Lord Krsna and that if he would pray, Krsna would never deny his request.
Seeking Supreme Guidance and Forgiveness
Whether asking for philosophical clarity or begging pardon for his informal behavior, Arjuna always approached the Lord with absolute humility. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that Arjuna's requests for instruction were made deliberately for the ultimate benefit of all human society.
- Arjuna was in perfect knowledge, yet Krsna instructed him for our benefit. Arjuna requested Krsna's instructions, which are set forth for all human society.
- Arjuna requests Him (Krsna) to summarize everything in such a way that he can remain equiposed. Yet he has some doubts, and doubts are always compared to demons. He therefore addresses Krsna as Kesinisudana.
- Although Krsna is manifested before Arjuna in His universal form, Arjuna remembers his friendly relationship with Krsna and is asking pardon and requesting Krsna to excuse him for the many informal gestures which arise out of friendship.
- When his (Arjuna's) inimical cousin Duryodhana was under the clutches of the Gandharvas, he wanted to save him and requested the Gandharvas to release Duryodhana, but the Gandharvas refused, and thus he fought with them and got Duryodhana released.
Conclusion
As Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully illustrates, the requests made by Arjuna throughout the Bhagavad-gītā provide a perfect roadmap for the conditioned soul. Arjuna never approached Lord Kṛṣṇa as an order-supplier for material relief. His requests were entirely transcendental: he asked for the Lord's presence, for supreme instructions to benefit human society, and for forgiveness regarding his informal, friendly dealings. Most importantly, his request to see the viśva-rūpa forever protected innocent seekers from the deception of bogus incarnations. By studying Arjuna's requests, one learns the supreme standard of pure devotion—desiring nothing for oneself, but requesting everything that serves the ultimate mission and pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Arjuna's Requests. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.