tam -- that (lamentation); arjunah -- Arjuna; upasrutya -- happening to hear; karhicit -- once; kesava -- of Lord Krishna; antike -- in the proximity; parete -- having died; navame -- the ninth; bale -- child; brahmanam -- to the brahmana; samabhashata -- he said; kim svit -- whether; brahman -- O brahmana; tvat -- your; nivase -- at the home; iha -- here; na asti -- there is not; dhanuh-dharah -- holding his bow in his hand; rajanya-bandhuh -- a fallen member of the royal order; ete -- these (kshatriyas); vah -- indeed; brahmanah -- (like) brahmanas; satre -- at a major fire sacrifice; asate -- are present.

When the ninth child died, Arjuna, who was near Lord Kesava, happened to overhear the brahmana lamenting. Thus Arjuna addressed the brahmana: "What is the matter, my dear brahmana? Isn't there some lowly member of the royal order here who can at least stand before your house with a bow in his hand? These kshatriyas are behaving as if they were brahmanas idly engaged in fire sacrifices.