Shloka 21
सभा पर्व, अध्याय ३७ — युधिष्ठिरस्य भीष्मोपदेशः
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Consultation and Bhīṣma’s Counsel in the Assembly
किमन्यदवमानाद्धि यदेनं राजसंसदि । अप्राप्तलक्षणं कृष्णमध्येणार्चितवानसि,युधिष्ठिर! इससे बढ़कर दूसरा अपमान और क्या हो सकता है कि तुमने राजाओंकी सभामें जिसे राजोचित चिह्न छत्र-चँवर आदि प्राप्त नहीं हुआ है, उस कृष्णकी अर्घ्यके द्वारा पूजा की है
kim anyad avamānād dhi yad enaṃ rāja-saṃsadi | aprāpta-lakṣaṇaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ madhyenārchitavān asi, yudhiṣṭhira ||
Śiśupāla dit : «Yudhiṣṭhira ! Quel outrage plus grand que celui-ci : dans l’assemblée des rois, tu as honoré Kṛṣṇa par l’arghya, le plaçant au premier rang, alors qu’il n’a pas reçu les insignes de la royauté—ombrelle et chasse-mouches (chauri) ?»
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.