Shloka 6
Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)
भीष्म उवाच नास्मै देयो हानुनयो नायमर्हति सान्त्वनम् | लोकवृद्धतमे कृष्णे यो$र्हणां नाभिमन्यते
bhīṣma uvāca
nāsmai deyo hānunayo nāyam arhati sāntvanam |
lokavṛddhatame kṛṣṇe yo 'rhaṇāṃ nābhimanyate ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «A este hombre no se le debe ofrecer conciliación ni súplica humillante; no merece ser calmado ni persuadido. Pues estando presente Kṛṣṇa—el más eminente y venerable de todo el mundo—quien no reconoce el honor que le es debido no es apto para ser aplacado».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True ethical judgment includes recognizing rightful excellence and honoring the most worthy. One who refuses to acknowledge due reverence to the supremely venerable (here, Krishna) is portrayed as morally unfit for gentle persuasion; appeasement of obstinate disrespect only enables adharma.
In the royal assembly during the context of honoring Krishna (the setting associated with the debate over foremost worship), Bhishma declares that the person who rejects Krishna’s due honor should not be placated or consoled, emphasizing Krishna’s preeminence and the impropriety of indulging deliberate disrespect.