आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो
नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद |
विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं
न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् || 31||
ākhyāhi me ko bhavān ugra-rūpo
namo ’stu te deva-vara prasīda
vijñātum ichchhāmi bhavantam ādyaṁ
na hi prajānāmi tava pravṛittim
ākhyāhi—tell; me—me; kaḥ—who; bhavān—you; ugra-rūpaḥ—fierce form; namaḥ astu—I bow; te—to you; deva-vara—God of gods; prasīda—be merciful; vijñātum—to know; ichchhāmi—I wish; bhavantam—you; ādyam—the primeval; na—not; hi—because; prajānāmi—comprehend; tava—your; pravṛittim—workings
Translation:
Tell me who Thou art that wearest this frightful form. Salutations to Thee, Ο God Supreme! Have mercy. I desire to know Thee, who art the Primal One; for I do not understand Thy purpose.
Commentary:
The amazement of Arjuna on seeing the terrible Cosmic-Form devouring the whole universe, and the utter humility in praying to the Lord for mercy and illumination are the marks of true devotion. So should the devotee seek the Lord’s grace and mercy.