Shloka 22
Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)
ऋतच्विग् गुरुस्तथा5<चार्य: स्नातको नृपति:ः प्रिय: । सर्वमेतद्धृषीकेशस्तस्मादशभ्यर्चितो<च्युत:
ṛtvig guruḥ tathā ācāryaḥ snātako nṛpatiḥ priyaḥ | sarvam etad dhṛṣīkeśas tasmād asmat-pūjito 'cyutaḥ ||
Бхишма сказал: «Кришна — Хришикеша — для нас всё: и ритвик (ṛtvij), совершающий жертвоприношение, и почитаемый гуру, и ачарья (ācārya), и снатака (snātaka), завершивший обряды учения, и царь, и любимый друг. Потому, о Ачьюта, мы воздали ему первейшее почитание — аграпуджу (agrapūjā).»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma frames Kṛṣṇa as embodying multiple sources of authority and care—ritual, learning, governance, and friendship—so honoring him is ethically appropriate. The verse links rightful honor (pūjā) to recognized excellence and beneficence, not merely to rank or power.
In the royal assembly context, Bhīṣma justifies the decision to offer Kṛṣṇa the foremost honor (agrāpūjā). He explains that Kṛṣṇa is regarded as their priest, teacher, preceptor, learned elder, kingly protector, and dear companion, hence deserving precedence.