Shloka 16
भीष्मसेनापत्याभिषेकः
Bhīṣma’s Appointment as Commander-in-Chief
वैशग्पायन उवाच तच्छुत्वा पार्थिवा: सर्वे वासुदेवस्य भाषितम् | अब्लुवन्तो मुखं राज्ञ: समुदैक्षन्त भारत,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--भरतनन्दन! भगवान् श्रीकृष्णका यह कथन सुनकर सब राजा कुछ न बोलते हुए केवल महाराज युधिष्ठिरके मुँहकी ओर देखने लगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tac chrutvā pārthivāḥ sarve vāsudevasya bhāṣitam | abruvanto mukhaṃ rājñaḥ samudaikṣanta bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ó Bhārata, ao ouvirem as palavras de Vāsudeva, todos os reis ficaram em silêncio; sem dizer nada, fixaram o olhar no rosto do rei, aguardando de Yudhiṣṭhira a resposta decisiva.
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.