Shloka 5
एवमुक्तस्तत: कृष्णो मृदुपूर्वमिदं वच: । उवाच पार्थिवान् सर्वान् स समक्ष च वीर्यवान्,शिशुपालके ऐसा कहनेपर अनन्तपराक्रमी भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने उसके सामने समस्त राजाओंसे मधुर वाणीमें कहा--
evam uktas tataḥ kṛṣṇo mṛdu-pūrvam idaṃ vacaḥ | uvāca pārthivān sarvān sa samakṣaṃ ca vīryavān ||
Thus addressed, Krishna—the mighty hero—then spoke, beginning with gentleness. In Shishupala’s very presence, he addressed all the assembled kings in a sweet and measured tone.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical speech and restraint: even when provoked, Krishna begins with gentleness and addresses the wider assembly, modeling measured conduct in a royal court where words can escalate conflict.
After being spoken to (in the context of Shishupala’s challenge), Krishna responds. He speaks softly at first and addresses all the kings present, with Shishupala standing before him, signaling a public, principled reply rather than a private quarrel.