Shloka 52
Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
एते द्वादश वर्षाणि क्रीडामुत्सूज्य बालका: । अस्त्रार्थमवसन् भीष्मे बि शभ्रतो व्रतमुत्तमम्,इन द्रौपदीकुमारोंने बारह वर्षोतक खेल-कूद छोड़कर अस्त्रोंकी शिक्षा पानेके लिये उत्तम ब्रह्मचर्य व्रतका पालन करते हुए भीष्मके समीप निवास किया था
ete dvādaśa varṣāṇi krīḍām utsṛjya bālakāḥ | astrārtham avasan bhīṣme brahmacaryavratam uttamam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “For twelve years those boys, giving up childish play, lived near Bhīṣma in order to master the science of weapons, observing an excellent vow of brahmacarya (disciplined celibate studentship). The narrative underscores that true martial power is grounded in restraint, training, and ethical self-control rather than mere aggression.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that mastery—especially of martial skills—requires long-term discipline, renunciation of frivolity, and ethical restraint (brahmacarya). Power is portrayed as legitimate when grounded in self-control and rigorous training.
Vaiśampāyana describes how the young boys/princes spent twelve years living with Bhīṣma, setting aside play and observing a strict vow, in order to learn the use of weapons.