Shloka 4
Kṛṣṇa Visits Indraprastha; Kuntī’s Remembrance; Kālindī and Further Marriages
युधिष्ठिरस्य भीमस्य कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम् । फाल्गुनं परिरभ्याथ यमाभ्यां चाभिवन्दित: ॥ ४ ॥
yudhiṣṭhirasya bhīmasya kṛtvā pādābhivandanam phālgunaṁ parirabhyātha yamābhyāṁ cābhivanditaḥ
భగవాన్ యుధిష్ఠిరుడు మరియు భీముని పాదాలకు నమస్కరించి, అనంతరం ఫాల్గుణుడు (అర్జునుడు)ను దృఢంగా ఆలింగనం చేసెను; యమజులైన నకుల-సహదేవుల నమస్కారాన్ని స్వీకరించెను।
Externally Kṛṣṇa was the Pāṇḍavas’ cousin, and their relationship was just like that between cousin-brothers. Because Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma were externally senior to Kṛṣṇa, the Lord bowed down at their feet, whereas He embraced His peer Arjuna and accepted obeisances from the younger brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva. Sometimes inexperienced devotees think it is sinful to honor or bow down to an elder brother in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. But from Lord Kṛṣṇa’s example here we may conclude that offering all respects to a senior brother in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not sinful.
FAQs
This verse highlights traditional dharmic conduct: offering obeisance at the feet of respected elders (like Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma) and expressing affection and honor among equals (embracing Arjuna and receiving greetings from the twins).
Phālguna is a well-known epithet of Arjuna, and Yamau (“the twins”) refers to Nakula and Sahadeva, who are frequently addressed together due to their twin birth and shared identity in the narrative.
Maintain humility and proper respect toward elders and mentors, while also nurturing warm, sincere relationships with peers—balancing reverence with affectionate goodwill.