Shloka 19
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
भीष्मकं च महावीर्य दन््तवक्रं च भूमिपम् । भगदत्तं यूपकेतुं जयत्सेनं च मागधम्
bhīṣmakaṃ ca mahāvīrya dantavakraṃ ca bhūmipam | bhagadattaṃ yūpaketuṃ jayatsenaṃ ca māgadham ||
மகாவீரனான பீஷ்மகனையும், அரசன் தந்தவக்ரனையும், பகதத்தனையும், யூபகேதுவையும், மகதத்தின் ஜயத்சேனனையும் (எப்படி புறக்கணிக்க முடியும்)?
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how public discourse in a royal assembly often appeals to reputation and the roster of powerful kings; ethically, it highlights the tension between genuine merit and rhetorical use of names and status to sway judgment.
In the Sabha (court) setting, Śiśupāla is speaking and lists prominent rulers—Bhīṣmaka, Dantavakra, Bhagadatta, Yūpaketu, and Jayatsena of Magadha—using their renown to strengthen his ongoing argument and challenge the prevailing honor being accorded in the assembly.