Shloka 28
अर्हणनिर्णयः
Decision on the Highest Honor at the Assembly
भीष्म उवाच एष होषां समस्तानां तेजोबलपराक्रमै: । मध्ये तपन्निवाभाति ज्योतिषामिव भास्कर:
bhīṣma uvāca | eṣa hoṣāṃ samastānāṃ tejobalaparākramaiḥ | madhye tapann ivābhāti jyotiṣām iva bhāskaraḥ ||
भीष्म उवाच—कुन्तीनन्दन! एष श्रीकृष्णोऽस्मिन् राजसमूहे समस्तेषां मध्ये तेजोबलपराक्रमैर्मध्ये तपन्निवाभाति, ज्योतिषामिव भास्करः। यथा सूर्य उदिते तमो नश्यति, यथा च निर्वाते देशे वायौ प्रवृत्ते सजीव इव भवति, तथा कृष्णस्य सन्निधानेनायं राजसभा हृष्टा प्रकाशिता च; तस्मादेष एवाग्रपूजायोग्यः।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True eminence is recognized by intrinsic qualities—radiance (tejas), strength (bala), and valor (parākrama)—and rightful honor should be offered to the one whose presence uplifts and illumines the community; thus Bhishma argues that Krishna deserves the foremost worship (agra-pūjā).
In the royal assembly during Yudhishthira’s great rite, Bhishma points to Krishna among the gathered rulers and, using the sun-among-stars comparison, recommends him as the most worthy recipient of the first honor.