Shloka 17

Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)

Devanagari script

गुणै्वद्धानतिक्रम्य हरिरच्यतमो मतः । ज्ञानवृद्धो द्विजातीनां क्षत्रियाणां बलाधिक:,श्रीकृष्णके गुणोंको ही दृष्टिमें रखते हुए हमने वयोवृद्ध पुरुषोंका उल्लंघन करके इनको ही परम पूजनीय माना है। ब्राह्मणोंमें वही पूजनीय समझा जाता है, जो ज्ञानमें बड़ा हो तथा क्षत्रियोंमें वही पूजाके योग्य हैं, जो बलमें सबसे अधिक हो

Transliteration

guṇair vṛddhān atikramya harir acyatamo mataḥ | jñāna-vṛddho dvijātīnāṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ balādhikaḥ ||

Translation

Considering his excellence in virtues, we have set aside mere seniority and regarded Hari (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) as the most worthy of honor. Among the twice-born, the one superior in knowledge is held most venerable; among kṣatriyas, the one surpassing others in strength is deemed most fit for reverence.

Word by Word

• {'guṇaiḥ': 'by virtues, qualities, excellences', 'vṛddhān': 'elders

• those advanced in age/seniority', 'atikramya': 'having overstepped

• having gone beyond', 'hariḥ': 'Hari

• a name of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa', 'acyatamaḥ': 'the most unshakable/infallible

• superlative of Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa)', 'mataḥ': 'considered

• held to be', 'jñāna-vṛddhaḥ': 'one advanced/superior in knowledge', 'dvijātīnām': 'of the twice-born (brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas)', 'kṣatriyāṇām': 'of kṣatriyas (warrior-rulers)', 'balādhikaḥ': 'one exceeding in strength

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Hari (Śrī Kṛṣṇa/Acyuta)
• Dvijāti (twice-born classes)
• Kṣatriyas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Honor should be grounded in merit: among the twice-born, superior knowledge warrants reverence; among kṣatriyas, superior strength and capability warrant honor. Bhīṣma applies this principle to justify giving foremost honor to Kṛṣṇa even over elders.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the royal assembly context, Bhīṣma explains why Kṛṣṇa is chosen for the highest honor: not because of age or seniority, but because his virtues and excellence make him the most worthy recipient.