Shloka 52
Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
एते द्वादश वर्षाणि क्रीडामुत्सूज्य बालका: । अस्त्रार्थमवसन् भीष्मे बि शभ्रतो व्रतमुत्तमम्,इन द्रौपदीकुमारोंने बारह वर्षोतक खेल-कूद छोड़कर अस्त्रोंकी शिक्षा पानेके लिये उत्तम ब्रह्मचर्य व्रतका पालन करते हुए भीष्मके समीप निवास किया था
ete dvādaśa varṣāṇi krīḍām utsṛjya bālakāḥ | astrārtham avasan bhīṣme brahmacaryavratam uttamam ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ସେଇ ବାଳକମାନେ ବାରହ ବର୍ଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଖେଳକୁ ତ୍ୟାଗ କରି, ଅସ୍ତ୍ରବିଦ୍ୟା ଅଧିଗମ ପାଇଁ, ଉତ୍ତମ ବ୍ରହ୍ମଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ-ବ୍ରତ ପାଳନ କରି ଭୀଷ୍ମଙ୍କ ସମୀପରେ ବସବାସ କଲେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that mastery—especially of martial skills—requires long-term discipline, renunciation of frivolity, and ethical restraint (brahmacarya). Power is portrayed as legitimate when grounded in self-control and rigorous training.
Vaiśampāyana describes how the young boys/princes spent twelve years living with Bhīṣma, setting aside play and observing a strict vow, in order to learn the use of weapons.