Shloka 26
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
ऋषेर्भगवतो भूत्वा शिष्योऽधीत्य बहूनि च । सेतिहासपुराणानि धर्मशास्त्राणि सर्वश: ॥ २५ ॥ अदान्तस्याविनीतस्य वृथा पण्डितमानिन: । न गुणाय भवन्ति स्म नटस्येवाजितात्मन: ॥ २६ ॥
ṛṣer bhagavato bhūtvā śiṣyo ’dhītya bahūni ca setihāsa-purāṇāni dharma-śāstrāṇi sarvaśaḥ
Au contraire, son étude des écritures est comme celle d'un acteur étudiant son rôle, car il n'est ni maître de lui-même ni humble et se prend vainement pour une autorité savante, bien qu'il ait échoué à conquérir son propre esprit.
One might argue that Romaharṣaṇa committed an innocent mistake when he failed to recognize Lord Balarāma, but such an argument is refuted here by Lord Balarāma’s strong criticism.
FAQs
This verse acknowledges deep scriptural study, but implies that learning alone is not sufficient unless it transforms one’s character and discipline.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks to King Parīkṣit while narrating events around Śiśupāla’s fate, highlighting that mere erudition does not guarantee virtue.
Study should be paired with humility, self-restraint, and lived practice; otherwise, knowledge remains theoretical and fails to elevate conduct.