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 ||
Nagpatuloy si Śiśupāla sa matalim niyang pananalita, binanggit ang mga bantog na pinuno: “Si Bhīṣmaka na dakila ang lakas; si Dantavakra na makapangyarihang hari; si Haring Bhagadatta; si Yūpaketu; at si Jayatsena ng Magadha”—inaangkin ang kanilang dangal at kapangyarihan bilang batayan sa pagtatalo tungkol sa karangalan ng mga naghaharing-lupa sa kapulungan ng mga hari.
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.