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Shloka 123

Abhimanyu’s Śrāddha; Vyāsa’s Assurance of the Unborn Heir (अभिमन्योः श्राद्धं तथा गर्भरक्षणोपदेशः)

बालभावेन विनयमात्मनो5डकथयत्‌ प्रभु: । “श्रीकृष्ण! वह महातेजस्वी और प्रभावशाली बालक अपने बालस्वभावके कारण मेरे सामने विनीतभावसे अपनी वीरताकी प्रशंसा किया करता था

bālabhāvena vinayam ātmano ’kathayat prabhuḥ | “śrīkṛṣṇa! sa mahātejasvī prabhāvaśālī ca bālakaḥ svabālasvabhāvena mama purato vinītabhāvena svāṃ vīratāṃ praśaṃsati sma” |

Vaiśampāyana dijo: «¡Oh Śrī Kṛṣṇa! Aquel muchacho—radiante de gran esplendor y dotado de un poder imponente—por su naturaleza infantil, se presentaba ante mí con aire humilde y, sin embargo, no dejaba de alabar su propio heroísmo. Así, bajo el disfraz de la inocencia, hablaba de su valentía mientras conservaba por fuera la debida reverencia.»

बालभावेनby/through childish nature
बालभावेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootबालभाव
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
विनयम्humility, modesty
विनयम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootविनय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
आत्मनःof himself
आत्मनः:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootआत्मन्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
अकथयत्told, related, spoke
अकथयत्:
Kriya
TypeVerb
Rootकथ्
FormImperfect (Lan), 3rd, Singular
प्रभुःthe lord/master
प्रभुः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootप्रभु
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

वैशम्पायन उवाच

V
Vaiśampāyana
Ś
Śrī Kṛṣṇa
T
the boy (bālakaḥ)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights an ethical tension: outward humility (vinaya) can coexist with self-advertisement. It invites discernment—true modesty is not merely a posture, and even innocence can mask pride or a desire for recognition.

Vaiśampāyana addresses Śrī Kṛṣṇa and describes a powerful, radiant boy who, because of his childish disposition, would appear deferential before the speaker while repeatedly praising his own heroism.