Shloka 53
Adhyāya 39: Śiśupāla’s Censure and Bhīma’s Contained Wrath (शिशुपाल-निन्दा तथा भीमक्रोध-निग्रहः)
मानिनां बलिनां राज्ञां मध्ये वै दर्शिते पदे । सहदेवने महामानी और बलवान् राजाओंके बीच खड़े होकर अपना पैर दिखाया था, तो भी जो बुद्धिमान एवं श्रेष्ठ नरेश थे, उनमेंसे कोई कुछ न बोला
mānināṁ balināṁ rājñāṁ madhye vai darśite pade | sahadevena mahāmānī balavān rājñāṁ madhye sthitvā svapādaḥ pradarśitaḥ, tathāpi ye buddhimantaḥ śreṣṭhā nṛpāḥ teṣāṁ madhye kaścid api na kiñcid abravīt |
Vaiśampāyana said: In the midst of proud and powerful kings, Sahadeva—standing among those great, self-regarding rulers—displayed his foot. Yet even then, none of the wise and eminent monarchs present uttered a word.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even wise people can become silent in the face of wrongdoing when surrounded by power, pride, and social pressure; ethical courage requires speaking up against insult and injustice, not merely recognizing it.
In a royal assembly filled with proud and powerful rulers, Sahadeva publicly displays his foot as a provocative gesture; despite the presence of discerning and eminent kings, no one responds, highlighting the tense atmosphere and the paralysis of the court.