Shloka 6
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
शिशुपालो जरासंधो भीष्मको वक्र एव च | कपोतरोमा नीलश्न रुक्मी च दृढविक्रम:
śiśupālo jarāsandho bhīṣmako vakra eva ca | kapotaromā nīlaś ca rukmī ca dṛḍhavikramaḥ ||
ਸ਼ਿਸ਼ੁਪਾਲ, ਜਰਾਸੰਧ, ਭੀਸ਼ਮਕ ਅਤੇ ਵਕ੍ਰ; ਕਪੋਤਰੋਮਾ, ਨੀਲ ਅਤੇ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ ਪਰਾਕ੍ਰਮੀ ਰੁਕਮੀ—ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰਮੁੱਖ ਨਰੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਨ।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
By enumerating renowned and formidable kings, the passage underscores that worldly power is abundant and contested; therefore one must rely on dharma—ethical judgment and right policy—rather than mere strength when assessing allies, enemies, and rightful action.
Nārada is listing prominent rulers/warriors—Śiśupāla, Jarāsandha, Bhīṣmaka, Vakra, Kapotaromā, Nīla, and the steadfastly valiant Rukmī—within a broader discussion where such names serve to situate the political-moral landscape.