Shloka 5
सभा पर्व, अध्याय ३७ — युधिष्ठिरस्य भीष्मोपदेशः
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Consultation and Bhīṣma’s Counsel in the Assembly
कथं हाराजा दाशाहो मध्ये सर्वमहीक्षिताम् । अर्हणामहति तथा यथा युष्माभिरचिंत:,यह सभी जानते हैं कि यदुवंशी कृष्ण राजा नहीं है, फिर सम्पूर्ण भूपालोंके बीच तुमलोगोंने जिस प्रकार इसकी पूजा की है, वैसी पूजाका अधिकारी यह कैसे हो सकता है?
kathaṃ ha rājā dāśārho madhye sarva-mahīkṣitām | arhaṇām arhati tathā yathā yuṣmābhir acintyaḥ ||
ทุกผู้รู้ว่า “ทาศารหะ” กฤษณะมิใช่พระราชา แล้วท่ามกลางบรรดากษัตริย์ทั้งปวง พวกท่านกลับถวายอภิวาทบูชาอย่างสูงสุดแก่เขา เขาจะเป็นผู้ควรรับอรหณานั้นได้อย่างไร
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds a dharmic tension between external rank (kingship, political status) and true worthiness for honor. Śiśupāla argues from courtly protocol and worldly hierarchy, challenging the legitimacy of offering supreme reverence to Kṛṣṇa; the broader episode invites reflection on whether honor should follow mere position or intrinsic excellence.
In the royal assembly during Yudhiṣṭhira’s great rite, Kṛṣṇa is being honored above the gathered rulers. Śiśupāla publicly objects, asserting that Kṛṣṇa is not a king among kings and therefore not entitled to the exceptional worship the assembly has offered.