Shloka 85
देवासुरमनुष्येषु प्रख्यातौ यौ नरोत्तमौ । तौ मावमंस्था मौख्ख्यात् त्वं खद्योत इव रोचनौ,जैसे जुगनू प्रकाशमान सूर्य और चन्द्रमाका तिरस्कार करे, उसी प्रकार तुम देवताओं, असुरों और मनुष्योंमें भी विख्यात उन दोनों नरश्रेष्ठ वीर श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनका मूर्खतावश अपमान न करो
devāsura-manuṣyeṣu prakhyātau yau narottamau | tau māvamam̐sthā mauḍhyāt tvaṁ khadyota iva rocanau ||
Do not, out of foolishness, disparage those two best of men—renowned among gods, demons, and humans. To slight their radiance is like a firefly scorning the shining sun and moon.
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns against arrogant contempt for truly eminent persons. One should cultivate discernment and humility: belittling the renowned and radiant is as absurd as a firefly scorning the sun and moon, and it leads to ethical and practical ruin.
Kāka addresses someone who is about to speak or act disrespectfully toward two universally celebrated heroes. Using the firefly-versus-sun-and-moon comparison, he cautions that such mockery is born of delusion and ignores their established greatness.