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 disse: “Ó Śrī Kṛṣṇa, aquele rapaz—radiante de grande esplendor e dotado de poder impressionante—por sua natureza infantil, punha-se diante de mim com ares de humildade e, ainda assim, não cessava de louvar o próprio heroísmo. Assim, sob o disfarce da inocência, falava de sua valentia enquanto mantinha, por fora, a devida deferência.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
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.