I was asked to speak on the topic, “The Art of Forgiveness” on one of those zoom calls for Sunday so while on my walk today to deliver a small packet of what we call mahaprasadam, some blessed sweets, to Subuddhi on her 85th birthday, I thought about the subject of forgiveness. In a way I was preparing myself for some thoughts I could convey on the broadcast.
What did come to mind was a song that came on the radio, a tear-jerker, from when I was 8—a song by Brenda Lee, “I’m sorry!”—a love song, of course. There’s one line “Please accept my apology,” which is so heartfully expressed from her voice. Now if I could only say it with feeling to those I’ve offended in the past. We all owe apologies to someone…
What also came to mind while walking through those residential streets were the words uttered by warrior, Arjuna, to Krishna, asking for forgiveness due to being overly-familiar. Verse 11.41–42:
“Thinking of You as my friend, I have rashly addressed You ‘O Krishna’, ‘O Yadhava’, ‘O my friend’, not knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love. I have dishonored You many times, gesturing as we relaxed, lay on the same bed, or sat or ate together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. O infallible one, please excuse me for all those offenses.”
In this instance Krishna had just revealed His cosmic form and it came to light that Arjuna’s actions were somewhat informal, too casual or disrespectful.
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