Bhṛgu Tests the Trimūrti; Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Visit Mahā-Viṣṇu and Recover the Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
तदाह विप्रो विजयं विनिन्दन् कृष्णसन्निधौ । मौढ्यं पश्यत मे योऽहं श्रद्दधे क्लीबकत्थनम् ॥ ३९ ॥
tadāha vipro vijayaṁ vinindan kṛṣṇa-sannidhau mauḍhyaṁ paśyata me yo ’haṁ śraddadhe klība-katthanam
Bấy giờ vị bà-la-môn chế giễu Arjuna trước mặt Śrī Kṛṣṇa: “Hãy xem sự ngu muội của ta—ta đã tin vào lời khoác lác của kẻ bất lực!”
Because his children continued to disappear, the brāhmaṇa felt Arjuna’s promises of protection had failed and thus condemned his confidence as empty boasting.
It means “the bragging speech of an impotent or ineffective person”—a harsh way of saying that mere claims without real power to protect are worthless.
Do not rely on ego-driven assurances; place trust in genuine capability and, ultimately, take shelter of God—cultivating humility when expectations are not met.