Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 27
Bhṛgu Tests the Trimūrti; Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Visit Mahā-Viṣṇu and Recover the Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
तामर्जुन उपश्रुत्य कर्हिचित् केशवान्तिके । परेते नवमे बाले ब्राह्मणं समभाषत ॥ २६ ॥ किंस्विद् ब्रह्मंस्त्वन्निवासे इह नास्ति धनुर्धर: । राजन्यबन्धुरेते वै ब्राह्मणा: सत्रमासते ॥ २७ ॥
tām arjuna upaśrutya karhicit keśavāntike parete navame bāle brāhmaṇaṁ samabhāṣata
When the ninth child died, Arjuna, who was near Lord Keśava, happened to overhear the brāhmaṇa lamenting. Thus Arjuna addressed the brāhmaṇa: “What is the matter, my dear brāhmaṇa? Isn’t there some lowly member of the royal order here who can at least stand before your house with a bow in his hand? These kṣatriyas are behaving as if they were brāhmaṇas idly engaged in fire sacrifices.
FAQs
This verse shows Arjuna emphasizing that a true kṣatriya must protect brāhmaṇas and society; otherwise one is only a “rājanya-bandhu,” a kṣatriya in name without real valor or responsibility.
Hearing that the brāhmaṇa’s newborns were repeatedly dying, Arjuna—standing near Kṛṣṇa—challenged the situation and implied that the lack of protection was disgraceful, prompting him to intervene and take responsibility.
Take responsibility for protecting and supporting the vulnerable, and measure “status” by service and duty fulfilled—not by title, lineage, or social identity.