Shloka 27
सभा पर्व, अध्याय ३७ — युधिष्ठिरस्य भीष्मोपदेशः
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Consultation and Bhīṣma’s Counsel in the Assembly
अयुक्तामात्मन: पूजां त्वं पुनर्बहु मन््यसे । हविष: प्राप्य निष्यन्दं प्राशिता श्वेव निर्जने,जैसे कुत्ता एकान्तमें चूकर गिरे हुए थोड़े-से हविष्य (घृत)-को चाट ले और अपनेको धन्य धन्य मानने लगे, उसी प्रकार तुम अपने लिये अयोग्य पूजा स्वीकार करके अपने- आपको बहुत बड़ा मान रहे हो
ayuktām ātmanaḥ pūjāṁ tvaṁ punar bahu manyase | haviṣaḥ prāpya niṣyandaṁ prāśitā śveva nirjane ||
Śiśupāla says: “You think far too highly of yourself for accepting worship that is not truly deserved. Like a dog in a lonely place that licks up a small dribble of sacrificial ghee and then imagines itself greatly blessed, so you, having received an unfit honor, are swelling with self-importance.”
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns inflated pride based on unearned honor: accepting (or boasting over) worship that is not truly merited is ethically hollow and leads to arrogance.
During the royal assembly context, Śiśupāla attacks the recipient of special honor, mocking him with a harsh simile—like a dog licking a small spill of sacrificial ghee and thinking itself blessed—thereby escalating the public dispute.