Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 13
The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty
क्रीडन्तस्तानुपव्रज्य कुमारा यदुनन्दना: । उपसङ्गृह्य पप्रच्छुरविनीता विनीतवत् ॥ १३ ॥ ते वेषयित्वा स्त्रीवेषै: साम्बं जाम्बवतीसुतम् । एषा पृच्छति वो विप्रा अन्तर्वत्न्यसितेक्षणा ॥ १४ ॥ प्रष्टुं विलज्जती साक्षात् प्रब्रूतामोघदर्शना: । प्रसोष्यन्ती पुत्रकामा किंस्वित् सञ्जनयिष्यति ॥ १५ ॥
krīḍantas tān upavrajya kumārā yadu-nandanāḥ upasaṅgṛhya papracchur avinītā vinīta-vat
The young boys of the Yadu line, sporting about, approached the assembly of sages. Dressing Sāmba, the son of Jāmbavatī, in a woman’s attire, they seized the sages’ feet and, though insolent, feigned humility as they said: “O learned brāhmaṇas, this black-eyed pregnant woman wishes to ask you something, but she is too shy to speak herself. O great seers of unfailing vision, she is about to give birth and longs for a son—tell us, will she bear a boy or a girl?”
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī has made the following comment: “The impudent behavior of the young Yadus toward the sages headed by Nārada, who were all brāhmaṇas and devotees of the Lord, was a display of deviation from the path of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, although the prākṛta-sahajiyās think of themselves as intimate associates of Kṛṣṇa, the supremely merciful Lord’s determination is perfectly correct in working to finish such false devotees. Such impostors actually never accept real service to Kṛṣṇa. The yadu-kumāras’ deception is termed ‘seemingly humble,’ meaning that in fact they were anything but humble. Therefore, the ridiculing of Vaiṣṇavas by the Lord’s family resulted in a great offense against the devotees of the Lord.”
FAQs
This verse shows the Yadu princes only pretending humility; such irreverence toward sages sets the stage for severe consequences, teaching that honoring sādhu and brāhmaṇa authority is essential for dharma and spiritual protection.
They approached in a mood of sport and mischief—though internally impudent, they acted outwardly polite to execute a prank upon the sages.
Avoid performative respect; cultivate genuine humility—especially toward teachers, elders, and spiritually advanced persons—because sincerity safeguards relationships and spiritual progress.