Shloka 5
Bhīṣma–Śiśupāla-saṃvādaḥ
Bhishma and Shishupala’s exchange in the assembly
अवलिप्तस्य मूर्खस्य केशवं स्तोतुमिच्छत: । कथं भीष्म न ते जिह्ला शतधेयं विदीर्यते,भीष्म! तुम्हें अपने ज्ञानीपनका बड़ा घमंड है, परंतु तुम हो वास्तवमें बड़े मूर्ख! ओह! इस केशवकी स्तुति करनेकी इच्छा होते ही तुम्हारी जीभके सैकड़ों टुकड़े क्यों नहीं हो जाते?
avaliptasya mūrkhasya keśavaṃ stotum icchataḥ | kathaṃ bhīṣma na te jihvā śatadheyāṃ vidīryate ||
โอ้ภีษมะ! ท่านทะนงตนว่ารอบรู้ แต่แท้จริงกลับเขลา ครั้นคิดจะสรรเสริญเกศวะ เหตุใดลิ้นของท่านจึงไม่แตกออกเป็นร้อยเสี่ยงเล่า?
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech: arrogance and abusive language are portrayed as moral failings, especially when directed against revered figures. It implicitly contrasts hostile, pride-driven rhetoric with respectful praise rooted in perceived dharma.
In the royal assembly during the Rājasūya context, Śiśupāla attacks Bhīṣma for honoring Kṛṣṇa (Keśava). He mocks Bhīṣma’s judgment and suggests that praising Keśava should bring immediate disgrace or punishment, escalating the public confrontation.