Shloka 1323
कृतयुगवर्णनम् तथा राजधर्मोपदेशः
Kṛtayuga Description and Instruction on Royal Dharma
प्रयत्नेन मया मूर्ध्ना गृहीत्वा हभिवन्दितौ | तात! तदनन्तर मैंने कोमल और लाल रंगकी अँगुलियोंसे सुशोभित लाल-लाल तलवेवाले उस बालकके सुन्दर एवं सुप्रतिष्ठित चरणोंको प्रयत्नपूर्वक पकड़कर उन्हें अपने मस्तकसे प्रणाम किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | prayatnena mayā mūrdhnā gṛhītvā abhivanditau | tāta! tadanantaraṁ mayā komala-rakta-raṅgāṅguli-suśobhitaiḥ rakta-rakta-talavaiḥ tasya bālakasya sundara-supratiṣṭhitau caraṇau prayatnapūrvakaṁ gṛhītvā mama mastakena praṇāmam akārṣam |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Con esmerado cuidado las tomé y me incliné. Luego, oh querido, asiendo con respeto los hermosos y bien asentados pies de aquel niño—adornados con dedos suaves, rojizos, y con plantas de un rojo resplandeciente—los puse sobre mi cabeza y ofrecí reverente homenaje.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic humility: reverence is not merely verbal but enacted through disciplined, respectful gesture—honoring the worthy (especially a revered person) by bowing to their feet, symbolizing surrender of ego and recognition of moral/spiritual stature.
The speaker describes a formal act of veneration: carefully taking the child’s well-formed feet—described with tender red digits and red soles—and placing them upon his own head to offer praṇāma, indicating deep respect and submission.