Shloka 27
Bhīṣma–Śiśupāla-saṃvādaḥ
Bhishma and Shishupala’s exchange in the assembly
इष्टं दत्तमधीतं च यज्ञाश्व बहुदक्षिणा: । सर्वमेतदपत्यस्य कलां नाहन्ति षोडशीम्,यज्ञ, दान, स्वाध्याय तथा बहुत दक्षिणावाले बड़े-बड़े यज्ञ--ये सब संतानकी सोलहवीं कलाके बराबर भी नहीं हो सकते
iṣṭaṃ dattaṃ adhītaṃ ca yajñāś ca bahu-dakṣiṇāḥ | sarvam etad apatyasya kalāṃ nārhanti ṣoḍaśīm ||
ଯଜ୍ଞ, ଦାନ, ସ୍ୱାଧ୍ୟାୟ ଏବଂ ବହୁ ଦକ୍ଷିଣାସହ ମହାଯଜ୍ଞ—ଏସବୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ସନ୍ତାନର ମୂଲ୍ୟର ଷୋଡ଼ଶମ ଅଂଶକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ସମାନ ନୁହେଁ।
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts the exceptional value of progeny within gṛhastha-dharma: ritual merit (worship, charity, Vedic study, and lavish sacrifices) is portrayed as inferior—even to a sixteenth part—when compared to the significance of having offspring, which sustains lineage and social-religious continuity.
In the Sabha Parva assembly context, Śiśupāla is delivering a pointed speech. Here he elevates the importance of offspring over conventional religious merits, using a striking comparison to argue his position and to frame what he considers true value and status in society.