Bhagavad Gita 11.35 — Trembling Arjuna Bows Again and Speaks in a Faltering Voice
सञ्जय उवाच ।
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी ।
नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं सगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य ॥ ११.३५ ॥
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Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of Keshava, Arjuna, the crowned one, trembling and with folded hands, bowed down again and, overwhelmed with fear, spoke to Krishna in a faltering voice, bowing before Him.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| etat | this |
| śhrutvā | having heard |
| vachanam | words |
| keśhavasya | of Keshava (Krishna) |
| kṛita-añjaliḥ | with folded hands |
| vepamānaḥ | trembling |
| kirīṭī | the crowned one (Arjuna) |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| namaskṛitvā | having offered salutations |
| bhūyaḥ | again |
| eva | indeed |
| āha | spoke |
| kṛiṣhṇam | to Krishna |
| sa-gadgadam | in a choked, faltering voice |
| bhīta-bhītaḥ | extremely frightened |
| praṇamya | bowing down |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| etat | this | namaskṛitvā | having offered salutations |
| śhrutvā | having heard | bhūyaḥ | again |
| vachanam | words | eva | indeed |
| keśhavasya | of Keshava (Krishna) | āha | spoke |
| kṛita-añjaliḥ | with folded hands | kṛiṣhṇam | to Krishna |
| vepamānaḥ | trembling | sa-gadgadam | in a choked, faltering voice |
| kirīṭī | the crowned one (Arjuna) | bhīta-bhītaḥ | extremely frightened |
| praṇamya | bowing down | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Sañjaya tells Dhṛtarāṣṭra that after hearing Lord Keśava's words, Arjuna, still trembling, folded his hands, bowed, and spoke again in a faltering voice, overcome by fear.
Essence
Fear and Devotion Together
Sañjaya returns as the narrator. He describes Arjuna's condition with great care, since it represents a moment where fear and devotion exist side by side.
Etac chrutvā vacanaṁ keśavasya (hearing these words of Keśava): Arjuna has listened carefully. Although the words were awe-inspiring, he took them in. A seeker who listens fully can be transformed even through difficult teachings.
Kṛtāñjalir vepamānaḥ kirīṭī (with folded hands, trembling, the crowned one): The word kirīṭī, wearing a crown, reminds us of Arjuna's status as a mighty prince. Yet he trembles with joined palms. Even the strong are humbled before the Divine.
Namaskṛtvā bhūya evāha kṛṣṇam (bowing, he spoke again to Kṛṣṇa): Arjuna bows before speaking. Prostration expresses the surrender of the ego and the readiness to receive.
Sa-gadgadaṁ bhīta-bhītaḥ praṇamya (in a choked voice, very afraid, bowing): The word gadgada refers to a voice choked with emotion. His speech is broken by a mix of fear, wonder and love. This is not cold fear but the trembling of a heart overwhelmed.
Message for Everyday Life (Emotion That Opens the Heart)
Do not suppress deep feelings: Awe, gratitude and humility are healthy emotions that deepen our humanity.
Practical approach: Allow yourself to be moved by what is beautiful or profound, whether in nature, music or sacred thought. A softened heart is often the beginning of wisdom.
Fear and Devotion Together
Sañjaya returns as the narrator. He describes Arjuna's condition with great care, since it represents a moment where fear and devotion exist side by side.
Etac chrutvā vacanaṁ keśavasya (hearing these words of Keśava): Arjuna has listened carefully. Although the words were awe-inspiring, he took them in. A seeker who listens fully can be transformed even through difficult teachings.
Kṛtāñjalir vepamānaḥ kirīṭī (with folded hands, trembling, the crowned one): The word kirīṭī, wearing a crown, reminds us of Arjuna's status as a mighty prince. Yet he trembles with joined palms. Even the strong are humbled before the Divine.
Namaskṛtvā bhūya evāha kṛṣṇam (bowing, he spoke again to Kṛṣṇa): Arjuna bows before speaking. Prostration expresses the surrender of the ego and the readiness to receive.
Sa-gadgadaṁ bhīta-bhītaḥ praṇamya (in a choked voice, very afraid, bowing): The word gadgada refers to a voice choked with emotion. His speech is broken by a mix of fear, wonder and love. This is not cold fear but the trembling of a heart overwhelmed.
Message for Everyday Life (Emotion That Opens the Heart)
Do not suppress deep feelings: Awe, gratitude and humility are healthy emotions that deepen our humanity.
Practical approach: Allow yourself to be moved by what is beautiful or profound, whether in nature, music or sacred thought. A softened heart is often the beginning of wisdom.
Next Topic
Sañjaya has shown Arjuna trembling and bowing. In the next verse, Arjuna begins a hymn of praise, declaring that it is right that the whole world rejoices in the Lord's glory while demons flee in fear.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Even crowns bow.
A shaking voice can be the truest voice.
Awe sometimes arrives as trembling.
Bow again, and then speak.
Hands that fold are hands that have let go.
Tell what you saw, not what you wish.
Real prayer begins where composure ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'Sañjaya' (the narrator) speak here?
Who is 'Keśhava' (a name for Krishna)?
What does 'kirīṭī' (the crowned one) mean?
What is meant by 'sa-gadgadam' (in a choked voice)?
Why does Arjuna do 'namaskṛitvā' (salutation) and 'praṇamya' (bowing down) again?
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