Shloka 8
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
ततः कथास्ते समवाययुक्ता: कृत्वा विचित्रा: पुरुषप्रवीरा: । तस्थुर्मुहूर्त परिचिन्तयन्तः कृष्णं नृपास्ते समुदीक्षमाणा:
tataḥ kathās te samavāyayuktāḥ kṛtvā vicitrāḥ puruṣapravīrāḥ | tasthur muhūrtaṃ paricintayantaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ nṛpās te samudīkṣamāṇāḥ ||
Puis ces hommes d’élite, après avoir tenu les propos convenables à l’assemblée et échangé diverses remarques saisissantes, se turent un moment. Assis dans la réflexion, tous ces rois gardaient les yeux fixés sur Kṛṣṇa, attendant ce qu’il dirait et ferait ensuite.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In moments of political tension, speech in an assembly should be measured and appropriate; after discussion, thoughtful silence and reflection are also part of dharmic counsel. The kings’ attentive gaze toward Kṛṣṇa highlights the ethical expectation that wise leadership guides collective decision-making.
A group of kings and eminent men converse in the assembly with varied remarks. Then they pause, becoming quiet for a time, reflecting while watching Kṛṣṇa closely—signaling that they await his counsel or decisive response.