Shloka 32
Varuṇa’s Bestowal of the Gāṇḍīva and the Arming of Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna
Khāṇḍava Prelude
बभ्रुवाहननाम्ना तु मम प्राणो महीचर: । तस्माद् भरस्व पुत्र वै पुरुषं वंशवर्धनम्,“बभ्रुवाहनके नामसे मेरा प्राण ही इस भूतलपर विद्यमान है, अतः तुम इस पुत्रका भरण-पोषण करो। यह इस वंशको बढ़ानेवाला पुरुषरत्न है
babhrūvāhananāmnā tu mama prāṇo mahīcaraḥ | tasmād bharasva putra vai puruṣaṃ vaṃśavardhanam ||
«إن الذي يحمل اسم بَبْهْرُوفاهانا هو، كأنه، حياتي نفسها المقيمة على هذه الأرض. لذلك، يا بنيّ الحبيب، عليك أن تُربي هذا الطفل وتحميه—فهو رجلٌ نبيل سيزيد نسلنا ويصونه.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes familial dharma: safeguarding and nurturing a rightful heir is a moral responsibility, because the continuity of a lineage is sustained through care, protection, and recognition of the child’s future role.
The speaker identifies Babhrūvāhana as exceedingly dear—“my very life on earth”—and instructs a son to take responsibility for the child’s upbringing, presenting him as one destined to strengthen the family line.