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” |
वैशम्पायन उवाच— “हे श्रीकृष्ण! स बालो महातेजाः प्रभाववान् च; स बालभावेन मम पुरतः विनीतभावमास्थाय स्ववीर्यस्य प्रशंसामेव पुनः पुनः अकथयत्। बाल्यच्छलेन स स्वपराक्रमं ब्रुवाणोऽपि बाह्यतः नम्रतामेव धारयामास।”
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.