Shloka 21
सभा पर्व, अध्याय ३७ — युधिष्ठिरस्य भीष्मोपदेशः
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Consultation and Bhīṣma’s Counsel in the Assembly
किमन्यदवमानाद्धि यदेनं राजसंसदि । अप्राप्तलक्षणं कृष्णमध्येणार्चितवानसि
kim anyad avamānād dhi yad enaṃ rāja-saṃsadi | aprāpta-lakṣaṇaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ madhyenārchitavān asi, yudhiṣṭhira ||
Śiśupāla dijo: «¡Yudhiṣṭhira! ¿Qué insulto puede haber mayor que este: que, en la asamblea de reyes, hayas honrado a Kṛṣṇa con el arghya, poniéndolo en el primer lugar, cuando aún no ha recibido las insignias reales—como el parasol y los abanicos de cola de yak?»
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension between external status (royal insignia and courtly rank) and inner worth (merit, virtue, divinity). Śiśupāla argues from protocol and hierarchy, implying that honoring someone without conventional royal marks is an affront to crowned kings; the broader epic context invites reflection on whether dharma is grounded in mere symbols or in true excellence.
During the great royal assembly connected with Yudhiṣṭhira’s imperial rite, the question arises of who should receive the foremost honor (arghya). Yudhiṣṭhira honors Kṛṣṇa, and Śiśupāla publicly objects, calling it a grave insult to the assembled monarchs because Kṛṣṇa lacks the outward emblems of kingship.