Shloka 9
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
वड़ाड्रविषयाध्यक्षं सहस्राक्षसमं बले | स्तुहि कर्णमिमं भीष्म महाचापविकर्षणम्,भीष्म! ये जो वंग और अंग दोनों देशोंके राजा हैं, इन्द्रके समान बल-पराक्रमसे सम्पन्न हैं तथा महान् धनुषकी प्रत्यंचा खींचनेवाले हैं, इन वीरवर कर्णकी कीर्तिका गान करो
Vaṅgāṅga-viṣayādhyakṣaṃ sahasrākṣa-samaṃ bale | stuhī karṇam imaṃ bhīṣma mahā-cāpa-vikarṣaṇam ||
Śiśupāla said: “O Bhīṣma, sing the fame of this Karṇa—lord of the realms of Vaṅga and Aṅga, equal to the thousand-eyed Indra in strength and prowess, and a mighty hero who can draw back the string of a great bow.”
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how public praise in a royal court functions as moral and political speech: extolling a warrior’s prowess is also a way to argue for status, recognition, and precedence. It highlights the kṣatriya ideal of valor while showing that rhetoric can be used to influence collective judgment about honor.
In the assembly setting, Śiśupāla addresses Bhīṣma and urges him to proclaim Karṇa’s fame—calling Karṇa the ruler associated with Vaṅga and Aṅga, Indra-like in strength, and capable of drawing a great bow. The request is a strategic commendation aimed at elevating Karṇa’s standing before the gathered kings.