Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 14
The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty
क्रीडन्तस्तानुपव्रज्य कुमारा यदुनन्दना: । उपसङ्गृह्य पप्रच्छुरविनीता विनीतवत् ॥ १३ ॥ ते वेषयित्वा स्त्रीवेषै: साम्बं जाम्बवतीसुतम् । एषा पृच्छति वो विप्रा अन्तर्वत्न्यसितेक्षणा ॥ १४ ॥ प्रष्टुं विलज्जती साक्षात् प्रब्रूतामोघदर्शना: । प्रसोष्यन्ती पुत्रकामा किंस्वित् सञ्जनयिष्यति ॥ १५ ॥
krīḍantas tān upavrajya kumārā yadu-nandanāḥ upasaṅgṛhya papracchur avinītā vinīta-vat
Les jeunes garçons de la lignée des Yadu, en badinant, s’approchèrent des grands sages rassemblés là. Ils avaient déguisé Sāmba, fils de Jāmbavatī, en femme; puis, saisissant les pieds des sages, avec insolence mais feinte humilité, ils demandèrent : « Ô brāhmaṇas savants, cette femme enceinte aux yeux noirs veut vous interroger; elle a honte de le faire elle-même. Ô grands ṛṣis à la vision infaillible, elle est sur le point d’accoucher et désire un fils : dites-nous, enfantera-t-elle un garçon ou une fille ? »
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī has made the following comment: “The impudent behavior of the young Yadus toward the sages headed by Nārada, who were all brāhmaṇas and devotees of the Lord, was a display of deviation from the path of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, although the prākṛta-sahajiyās think of themselves as intimate associates of Kṛṣṇa, the supremely merciful Lord’s determination is perfectly correct in working to finish such false devotees. Such impostors actually never accept real service to Kṛṣṇa. The yadu-kumāras’ deception is termed ‘seemingly humble,’ meaning that in fact they were anything but humble. Therefore, the ridiculing of Vaiṣṇavas by the Lord’s family resulted in a great offense against the devotees of the Lord.”
FAQs
This verse shows the Yadu youths approaching sages with outward humility but inward impudence, setting the stage for a grave offense that brings destructive consequences.
They were playing and intended a mocking prank; therefore they posed as well-behaved while actually being disrespectful, which made their act more offensive.
Avoid performative humility. Genuine respect, especially toward teachers and holy persons, protects one from avoidable harm caused by pride and mockery.