Shloka 16
भीष्मसेनापत्याभिषेकः
Bhīṣma’s Appointment as Commander-in-Chief
वैशग्पायन उवाच तच्छुत्वा पार्थिवा: सर्वे वासुदेवस्य भाषितम् | अब्लुवन्तो मुखं राज्ञ: समुदैक्षन्त भारत
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tac chrutvā pārthivāḥ sarve vāsudevasya bhāṣitam | abruvanto mukhaṃ rājñaḥ samudaikṣanta bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Wahai Bhārata, setelah mendengar kata-kata Vāsudeva, semua raja terdiam; tanpa sepatah kata pun, mereka memandang ke wajah sang raja—menanti jawapan penentu daripada Yudhiṣṭhira.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
After wise counsel is given, especially by a figure like Kṛṣṇa, the ethical burden shifts to the rightful leader to respond with dharmic judgment. The kings’ silence highlights restraint, respect for hierarchy, and the seriousness of deciding matters of war and peace.
Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) has spoken in the royal assembly. Hearing him, the assembled kings do not immediately react; instead, they look toward the king—understood here as Yudhiṣṭhira—awaiting his response and decision.