Shloka 24
Bhīṣma–Śiśupāla-saṃvādaḥ
Bhishma and Shishupala’s exchange in the assembly
दारयोर्यस्य चान्येन मिषत:ः प्राज्ञमानिन: । तव जातान्यपत्यानि सज्जनाचरिते पथि
dārayoḥ yasya cānyena miṣataḥ prājñamāninaḥ | tava jātāny apatyāni sajjanācarite pathi ||
シシュパーラは言った。「そなたのように賢しらを誇る者が見ているその前で、そなたの二人の寡婦の妻に、他の男によって子がもうけられた。それでもなお、徳ある者の行いの道に自分は立つと言い張るのか。」
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral accusation: claiming alignment with the ‘path of the virtuous’ is challenged when one’s conduct (or tolerated circumstances) is portrayed as violating accepted standards of propriety and honor. It highlights how dharma is contested in public discourse through appeals to reputation and social norms.
Śiśupāla is delivering a hostile critique in the royal assembly, using a pointed allegation about another man fathering children through the addressee’s widowed wives, to undermine the addressee’s claim to wisdom and righteous conduct.