Shloka 4
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
येनैष कुरुशार्दूल शार्दूल इव चेदिराट् गर्जत्यतीव दुर्बुद्धि: सर्वानस्मानचिन्तयन्,कुरुसिंह भीम! यही कारण है कि यह दुर्बुद्धि शिशुपाल हम सबको कुछ न समझकर आज सिंहके समान गरज रहा है
yena eṣa kuruśārdūla śārdūla iva cedirāṭ garjaty atīva durbuddhiḥ sarvān asmān acintayan | kuru-siṁha bhīma! yahi kāraṇa hai ki yaha durbuddhi śiśupāla ham sabko kuch na samajhkar āja siṁha ke samān garaj rahā hai |
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Bhīma, harimau di kalangan Kuru, inilah sebabnya raja Cedi—seperti singa yang mengaum—menjerit begitu garang. Śiśupāla yang dungu, memandang rendah kita semua, hari ini mengaum seolah-olah dia singa; itulah puncanya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between loud, contemptuous speech and the duty of elders and kings to judge calmly. Bhishma frames Shishupala’s roaring as a sign of poor judgment and disregard for the assembly, implying that true kshatriya excellence is shown through restraint and discernment, not mere aggression.
In the royal assembly context of the Sabha Parva, Bhishma addresses a leading Kuru hero (and then Bhima), explaining why Shishupala, the king of Cedi, is loudly challenging and insulting the gathered elders and warriors—roaring like a lion while ignoring their presence and authority.