Shloka 33
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततश्रेदिपते: श्रुत्वा भीष्म: स कटुकं वच: । उवाचेदं वचो राजंश्रेदिराजस्य शृण्वत:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! शिशुपालका यह कटु वचन सुनकर भीष्मजीने शिशुपालके सुनते हुए यह बात कही--
vaiśampāyana uvāca
tataḥ śreḍipateḥ śrutvā bhīṣmaḥ sa kaṭukaṃ vacaḥ |
uvācedaṃ vaco rājan śreḍirājasya śṛṇvataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Bhīṣma, having heard that bitter speech of the lord of Śreḍi (Śiśupāla), addressed the king (Janamejaya) and spoke these words while the king of Śreḍi himself listened.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Harsh speech provokes conflict, but a dharmic elder responds with controlled, principled words. The verse frames Bhīṣma as an ethical moderator: he does not mirror bitterness; he prepares to answer in a way that upholds order and right conduct in the assembly.
After Śiśupāla (the ruler of Śreḍi) utters a bitter remark in the royal assembly, Bhīṣma hears it and begins his reply. Vaiśampāyana narrates to King Janamejaya that Bhīṣma speaks while Śiśupāla listens, signaling an impending rebuttal and moral clarification.