Shloka 8
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
ततः कथास्ते समवाययुक्ता: कृत्वा विचित्रा: पुरुषप्रवीरा: । तस्थुर्मुहूर्त परिचिन्तयन्तः कृष्णं नृपास्ते समुदीक्षमाणा:
tataḥ kathās te samavāyayuktāḥ kṛtvā vicitrāḥ puruṣapravīrāḥ | tasthur muhūrtaṃ paricintayantaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ nṛpās te samudīkṣamāṇāḥ ||
ତାପରେ ସେ ପୁରୁଷପ୍ରବୀରମାନେ ସଭା-ଶିଷ୍ଟାଚାର ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ନାନାପ୍ରକାର କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା କଲେ; ତଦନନ୍ତରେ କିଛି ସମୟ ନୀରବ ହୋଇ ରହିଲେ। ଚିନ୍ତାମଗ୍ନ ହୋଇ ବସିଥିବା ସେ ସମସ୍ତ ନରେଶ ଶ୍ରୀକୃଷ୍ଣଙ୍କ ଦିଗକୁ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ନିଶ୍ଚଳ କରି ରହିଲେ—ତାଙ୍କର ବଚନ ଓ କର୍ମର ପ୍ରତୀକ୍ଷାରେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In moments of political tension, speech in an assembly should be measured and appropriate; after discussion, thoughtful silence and reflection are also part of dharmic counsel. The kings’ attentive gaze toward Kṛṣṇa highlights the ethical expectation that wise leadership guides collective decision-making.
A group of kings and eminent men converse in the assembly with varied remarks. Then they pause, becoming quiet for a time, reflecting while watching Kṛṣṇa closely—signaling that they await his counsel or decisive response.