Shloka 28
अर्हणनिर्णयः
Decision on the Highest Honor at the Assembly
भीष्म उवाच एष होषां समस्तानां तेजोबलपराक्रमै: । मध्ये तपन्निवाभाति ज्योतिषामिव भास्कर:
bhīṣma uvāca | eṣa hoṣāṃ samastānāṃ tejobalaparākramaiḥ | madhye tapann ivābhāti jyotiṣām iva bhāskaraḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai putra Kunti, di tengah para raja yang berhimpun ini, Sri Krishna bersinar oleh wibawa, kekuatan, dan kepahlawanannya—laksana sang Surya yang mengungguli planet dan bintang. Seperti gelap sirna saat matahari terbit, dan seperti tempat yang hening tanpa angin seakan hidup ketika angin mulai bergerak, demikianlah kehadiran Krishna membuat sidang kerajaan ini bersukacita dan bercahaya. Karena itu, dialah yang layak menerima penghormatan tertinggi.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True eminence is recognized by intrinsic qualities—radiance (tejas), strength (bala), and valor (parākrama)—and rightful honor should be offered to the one whose presence uplifts and illumines the community; thus Bhishma argues that Krishna deserves the foremost worship (agra-pūjā).
In the royal assembly during Yudhishthira’s great rite, Bhishma points to Krishna among the gathered rulers and, using the sun-among-stars comparison, recommends him as the most worthy recipient of the first honor.