Question: I have a question on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 text 41-42 page 587. Arjuna is in Sakhya Bhava and Krishna’s Yoga Maya potency helps Arjuna to have that kind of relationship. Now when the Universal form is shown to him, his bhava changes to awe and reverence. In 41-42 he pays his obeisances and asks Krishna to pardon his offenses towards Krishna. In the purport second line Prabhupada writes that “Arjuna remembers his friendly relationship with Krishna and is therefore asking pardon and requesting Krishna to excuse him…”
Is it right to say that Arjuna could only exhibit dasya bhava when Universal form was shown although he could remember his sakhaya relationship that he had with Krishna. So the Yoga Maya changes his relationship? How to understand it?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Awe and reverence exist in the Vaikuntha realm, when one is overwhelmed with awe, or holds Narayana in awe at the sight and recognition of His majesty and spiritual splendor. All four of the higher rasas exist in the Vaikuntha realm, not just dasya rasa.
The universal form, however, is not conducive to a personal relationship of service. The awe and reverence is so profound that one is left without an opportunity to serve. This is painful and most awkward for the devotee, as Arjuna’s response indicates. As you wrote, yes, yoga maya facilitates the rasa of friendship.
