Śiśupāla-janma-lakṣaṇaṃ (Śiśupāla’s birth marks and the prophecy of his end)
असौ रोषात् प्रचलितो महान् नृपतिसागर: । अत्र यत् प्रतिपत्तव्यं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
asau roṣāt pracalito mahān nṛpati-sāgaraḥ | atra yat pratipattavyaṃ tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Lihatlah—samudra agung para raja ini telah bergolak oleh amarah. Wahai Kakek Agung, katakan kepadaku langkah apa yang patut diambil di sini untuk menenangkan mereka dan memulihkan ketertiban.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
When collective anger surges in a public or political setting, dharma requires seeking wise counsel and choosing a stabilizing, peace-restoring course rather than reacting impulsively. The verse highlights restraint, consultation, and responsibility in leadership.
The gathered rulers are inflamed and restless—likened to a storm-tossed ocean. The speaker turns to the revered elder ‘Pitāmaha’ (Bhīṣma) and asks for guidance on the appropriate steps to calm the assembly and manage the crisis.