Śiśupāla-vadha in the Rājasūya-sabhā (शिशुपालवधः — राजसूयसभायाम्)
अद्वारेण प्रविष्टेन छद्मना ब्रह्म॒वादिना | दृष्ट: प्रभाव: कृष्णेन जरासंधस्य भूपते:
advāreṇa praviṣṭena chadmanā brahmavādinā | dṛṣṭaḥ prabhāvaḥ kṛṣṇena jarāsaṃdhasya bhūpateḥ ||
«دخل المدينة لا من بابٍ، بل باقتحامٍ وكسرٍ؛ ثم اتخذ تنكّرًا وخداعًا، متظاهرًا بأنه براهمن، فعاين بأس الملك جراسندها ومكانته.»
शिशुपाल उवाच
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: political or strategic success achieved through disguise and covert entry can be criticized as ethically questionable, especially when judged against ideals of open, honorable conduct.
Śiśupāla accuses Kṛṣṇa of entering Jarāsandha’s city by an improper route and under a brahmin disguise, implying that Kṛṣṇa’s purpose was to assess Jarāsandha’s strength and influence through stealth rather than direct approach.