Shloka 13
Adhyāya 123 — Droṇa’s Pedagogy: Arjuna’s Preeminence, Ekalavya’s Self-Training, and the Bhāsa-Lakṣya Trial
सा सलज्जा विहस्याह पुत्र देहि सुरोत्तम । बलवन्तं महाकायं सर्वदर्पप्रभञ्जनम्,कुन्तीने लज्जित होकर मुसकराते हुए कहा--'सुरश्रेष्ठ)! मुझे एक ऐसा पुत्र दीजिये, जो महाबली और विशालकाय होनेके साथ ही सबके घमंडको चूर करनेवाला हो'
sā salajjā vihasyāha putra dehi surottama | balavantaṃ mahākāyaṃ sarva-darpa-prabhañjanam ||
Schamhaft lächelnd sprach sie: „O Bester unter den Göttern, gewähre mir einen Sohn – gewaltig an Kraft, riesenhaft an Gestalt und einer, der den Hochmut aller zerschmettert.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse values strength that serves dharma: true greatness is not only physical might, but the capacity to break arrogance and uphold rightful order, suggesting that power should be ethically directed.
Kuntī, speaking modestly and with a shy smile, petitions a divine being for a son characterized by exceptional strength and stature—one who can humble the pride of others—indicating her deliberate choice of qualities for an heir.