Shloka 19
वयं तु न भयादस्य कौन्तेयस्य महात्मन: । प्रयच्छाम: करान् सर्वे न लोभान्न च सान्त्वनात्,राजाओ! हम सब लोग इन महात्मा कुन्तीनन्दन युधिष्ठिरको जो कर दे रहे हैं, वह भय, लोभ अथवा कोई विशेष आश्वासन मिलनेके कारण नहीं
vayaṁ tu na bhayād asya kaunteyasya mahātmanaḥ | prayacchāmaḥ karān sarve na lobhān na ca sāntvanāt ||
“O kings! We all render tribute to this great-souled son of Kuntī not out of fear. We pay these dues neither from greed nor because of any placating promise.”
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Śiśupāla frames tribute as a political act that should not be confused with ethical assent or heartfelt allegiance. He argues that paying dues can occur without fear, greed, or inducement, highlighting the difference between outward compliance and inner acceptance of authority.
In the Sabha assembly context surrounding Yudhiṣṭhira’s rising imperial status, Śiśupāla speaks critically. He claims that kings who pay tribute to Yudhiṣṭhira do so not because they are intimidated, bribed, or specially appeased—implying that their payments do not validate Yudhiṣṭhira’s supremacy in the way supporters suggest.