Shloka 17

Devanagari script

तस्य तद्‌ वचन श्रुत्वा शिशुपाल: प्रतापवान्‌ | जहास स्वनवद्धासं वाक्‍्यं चेदमुवाच ह,श्रीकृष्णका उपर्युक्त वचन सुनकर प्रतापी शिशुपाल खिलखिलाकर हँसने लगा और इस प्रकार बोला--

Transliteration

tasya tad vacanaṁ śrutvā śiśupālaḥ pratāpavān | jahāsa svanavaddhāsaṁ vākyaṁ cedam uvāca ha ||

Translation

Ao ouvir essas palavras, o poderoso Śiśupāla irrompeu numa gargalhada alta e escarninha e, em seguida, falou assim—deixando patente o seu desprezo pelo conselho recém-proferido.

Word by Word

तस्यof him/that (person)

तत्that

वचनम्speech/statement/words

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

शिशुपालःShishupala

प्रतापवान्mighty/valiant

जहासlaughed

स्वनवत्resounding/noisy

हासम्laughter

वाक्यम्speech/statement

चand

इदम्this

उवाचsaid/spoke

हindeed/for emphasis

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Śiśupāla

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how contemptuous speech and ridicule in a public forum can escalate ethical and political conflict; it implicitly contrasts disciplined, dharmic restraint with pride-driven mockery that undermines harmony in the assembly.

What is happening in the narrative?

After hearing the preceding statement (contextually, counsel or praise offered in the assembly), Śiśupāla reacts by laughing loudly and prepares to deliver a pointed reply, marking the beginning of his verbal challenge in the court setting.