Shloka 17
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
वृद्धं च भारताचार्य तथा शारद्वतं कृपम् । अतिक्रम्य महावीर्य कि प्रशंससि केशवम्,शरद्वान् मुनिके पुत्र महापराक्रमी कृप भरतवंशके वृद्ध आचार्य हैं। इनका उल्लंघन करके तुम कृष्णका गुण क्यों गाते हो?
vṛddhaṃ ca bhāratācārya tathā śāradvataṃ kṛpam | atikramya mahāvīrya kiṃ praśaṃsasi keśavam ||
Śiśupāla berkata: “Dengan mengabaikan guru tua kaum Bhārata, dan juga Kṛpa Śāradvata—kedua-duanya berkeperkasaan besar—mengapa engkau memuji Keśava?”
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical tension between honoring established elders/teachers and recognizing exceptional merit. Śiśupāla argues from social-dharmic precedence (venerable Kuru authorities like Bhīṣma and Kṛpa should be honored first), implicitly questioning whether praise should follow age/status or intrinsic worth.
In the royal assembly during Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya, honors are being offered to Kṛṣṇa. Śiśupāla objects, claiming that praising Kṛṣṇa bypasses senior Kuru figures—Bhīṣma (the dynasty’s elder authority) and Kṛpa—thus challenging the legitimacy of the honor and provoking a public dispute.