Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 14
The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty
क्रीडन्तस्तानुपव्रज्य कुमारा यदुनन्दना: । उपसङ्गृह्य पप्रच्छुरविनीता विनीतवत् ॥ १३ ॥ ते वेषयित्वा स्त्रीवेषै: साम्बं जाम्बवतीसुतम् । एषा पृच्छति वो विप्रा अन्तर्वत्न्यसितेक्षणा ॥ १४ ॥ प्रष्टुं विलज्जती साक्षात् प्रब्रूतामोघदर्शना: । प्रसोष्यन्ती पुत्रकामा किंस्वित् सञ्जनयिष्यति ॥ १५ ॥
krīḍantas tān upavrajya kumārā yadu-nandanāḥ upasaṅgṛhya papracchur avinītā vinīta-vat
Những thiếu niên dòng Yadu, vừa đùa nghịch vừa tiến đến chỗ các hiền triết đang tụ hội. Họ cho Sāmba, con của Jāmbavatī, mặc y phục phụ nữ, rồi nắm lấy chân các hiền triết và—tuy vô lễ—lại giả bộ khiêm cung mà hỏi: “Kính bạch các bậc brāhmaṇa uyên bác, người đàn bà mang thai mắt đen này muốn hỏi các ngài; nàng xấu hổ không dám tự hỏi. Kính bạch các đại hiền giả có nhãn lực không sai lầm, nàng sắp sinh và khát khao có con trai—xin cho biết đứa trẻ sẽ là trai hay gái?”
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī has made the following comment: “The impudent behavior of the young Yadus toward the sages headed by Nārada, who were all brāhmaṇas and devotees of the Lord, was a display of deviation from the path of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, although the prākṛta-sahajiyās think of themselves as intimate associates of Kṛṣṇa, the supremely merciful Lord’s determination is perfectly correct in working to finish such false devotees. Such impostors actually never accept real service to Kṛṣṇa. The yadu-kumāras’ deception is termed ‘seemingly humble,’ meaning that in fact they were anything but humble. Therefore, the ridiculing of Vaiṣṇavas by the Lord’s family resulted in a great offense against the devotees of the Lord.”
FAQs
This verse shows the Yadu youths approaching sages with outward humility but inward impudence, setting the stage for a grave offense that brings destructive consequences.
They were playing and intended a mocking prank; therefore they posed as well-behaved while actually being disrespectful, which made their act more offensive.
Avoid performative humility. Genuine respect, especially toward teachers and holy persons, protects one from avoidable harm caused by pride and mockery.