Shloka 26
सभा पर्व, अध्याय ३७ — युधिष्ठिरस्य भीष्मोपदेशः
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Consultation and Bhīṣma’s Counsel in the Assembly
अथ वा कृपणैरेतामुपनीतां जनार्दन | पूजामनर्ह: कस्मात् त्वमभ्यनुज्ञातवानसि,अथवा जनार्दन! इन कायरोंद्वारा उपस्थित की हुई इस अग्रपूजाको उसके योग्य न होते हुए भी तुमने क्यों स्वीकार कर लिया?
atha vā kṛpaṇair etām upanītāṁ janārdana | pūjām anarhaḥ kasmāt tvam abhyanugñātavān asi ||
Or else, O Janārdana, why did you approve and accept this foremost honor when it was presented by these wretched men—an honor that one unworthy of it should not receive?
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical question of rightful honor: public precedence in ritual should align with merit and dharma. It also shows how accusations about worthiness can be weaponized in political-religious settings to undermine legitimacy.
During the assembly connected with Yudhiṣṭhira’s royal rite, Śiśupāla publicly challenges Kṛṣṇa’s receiving the agrapūjā (first honor). He derides the supporters who offered it and questions why Kṛṣṇa consented to accept it, intensifying the confrontation that will soon culminate in violence.