Shloka 20
Śiśupāla-vadha in the Rājasūya-sabhā (शिशुपालवधः — राजसूयसभायाम्)
ततश्रैदिपतेर्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तत् कुरुसत्तम: । भीमसेनमुवाचेदं भीष्मो मतिमतां वर:,तब चेदिराजकी वह बात सुनकर बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ कुरुकुलतिलक भीष्मने भीमसे यह कहा
tataś cedirapater vākyaṃ śrutvā tat kurusattamaḥ | bhīmasenam uvācedaṃ bhīṣmo matimatāṃ varaḥ ||
Then, having heard the words of the lord of Cedi, Bhīṣma—the finest among the wise and the foremost of the Kurus—addressed Bhīmasena. The scene turns from provocation to counsel: an elder statesman responds to a charged statement by guiding a powerful warrior, implying restraint, propriety, and the maintenance of order in the royal assembly.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic moment: after a provocative or significant statement in the royal hall, the elder Bhīṣma turns to instruct Bhīma. The implied teaching is that power must be governed by discernment—especially in public, where speech and reaction can uphold or damage dharma and social order.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīṣma hears the Cedi king’s words and then addresses Bhīmasena. It marks a transition from the Cedi king’s utterance to Bhīṣma’s response, setting up guidance or admonition directed at Bhīma within the assembly context.