Shloka 2
Śiśupāla-janma-lakṣaṇaṃ (Śiśupāla’s birth marks and the prophecy of his end)
रोषात् प्रचलितं सर्वमिदमाह युधिष्ठिर: । भीष्म मतिमतां मुख्यं वृद्धं कुरूपितामहम् । बृहस्पति बृहत्तेजा: पुरुहृत इवारिहा,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर प्रलयकालीन महावायुके थपेड़ोंसे क्षुब्ध हुए भयंकर महासागरकी भाँति राजाओंके उस समुदायको क्रोधसे चंचल हुआ देख धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ और कुरुकुलके वृद्ध पितामह भीष्मजीसे उसी प्रकार बोले, जैसे शत्रुहन्ता महातेजस्वी इन्द्र बृहस्पतिजीसे कोई बात पूछते हैं--
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
roṣāt pracalitaṃ sarvam idam āha yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
bhīṣma matimatāṃ mukhyaṃ vṛddhaṃ kurūpitāmaham |
bṛhaspati bṛhat-tejāḥ puruhṛt ivārihā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When that entire assembly of kings was thrown into agitation by anger, Yudhiṣṭhira spoke. He addressed Bhīṣma—the foremost among the wise, the aged grandsire of the Kuru line—just as the enemy-slaying, great-splendoured Indra (Puruhūta) would address Bṛhaspati.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a moment when anger destabilizes the court, the narrative highlights a dharmic reflex: turning to the most seasoned and wise elder for guidance. Authority is framed not merely as power, but as counsel grounded in age, insight, and responsibility.
The assembly of kings becomes turbulent with wrath. Yudhiṣṭhira then addresses Bhīṣma, presenting the moment as a formal seeking of counsel—likened to Indra consulting his divine teacher Bṛhaspati—signaling that a consequential question or decision is about to follow.