Shloka 8
Bhīṣma–Śiśupāla-saṃvādaḥ
Bhishma and Shishupala’s exchange in the assembly
चेतनारहितं काष्ठं यद्यनेन निपातितम् । पादेन शकटं भीष्म तत्र कि कृतमद्भुतम्,भीष्म! छकड़ा क्या है, चेतनाशून्य लकड़ियोंका ढेर ही तो, यदि इसने पैरसे उसको उलट ही दिया तो कौन अनोखी करामात कर डाली?
cetanārahitaṁ kāṣṭhaṁ yadyanena nipātitam | pādena śakaṭaṁ bhīṣma tatra kiṁ kṛtam adbhutam, bhīṣma ||
اے بھیشم! گاڑی تو بےجان لکڑیوں کا ڈھیر ہی ہے؛ اگر اس نے اسے پاؤں سے الٹ دیا تو اس میں کون سا کرشمہ ہوا؟
शिशुपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical lapse: dismissing another’s praised deed through cynical reductionism. It illustrates how envy and pride can distort judgment, leading one to belittle merit rather than assess actions fairly.
In the royal assembly setting of the Sabha Parva, Śiśupāla addresses Bhīṣma and mocks a celebrated feat by saying that overturning a cart is no wonder because it is only insentient wood. The line functions as a rhetorical jab meant to undermine the honor being accorded to the person being praised.