BHISHMA CRITICISES SHISHUPAALA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > SHISHUPAALA VADHA PARVA > CHAPTER 39 - BHISHMA CRITICISES SHISHUPAALA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Looking that vast assembly of kings agitated with anger, like the terrific sea agitated by the winds that blow at the time of the universal dissolution, Yudhishthira addressing the aged Bhishma, that chief of intelligent men and the Pitaamaha of the Kurus, like Puruhoota (Lord Indra) that slayer of enemies, of abundant energy addressing (Deva Guru) Brihaspati, said, ‘This vast ocean of kings, has been agitated by anger. Tell me, O Pitaamaha (Bhishma), what I should do in view of this. O Pitaamaha, now what I should do that the yagna may not be obstructed and my subjects may not be injured.’

“When Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, knowledgeable on Dharma, said this, Bhishma – the Pitaamaha of the Kurus, spoke these words in reply, ‘Fear not, O tiger of the Kurus (Yudhishthira). Can the dog slay the lion? I have before this found out a way that is both beneficial and comfortable to practise. As dogs in a pack approaching the lion that is asleep bark together, so are all these lords of earth. Indeed, O child, like dogs before the lion, these (monarchs) are barking in anger before the sleeping lion of the Vrishni race (Sri Krishna). Achyuta (Sri Krishna) now is like a lion that is asleep. Until He wakes up, this chief of the Chedis – this lion among men – makes these monarchs look like lions. O child (Yudhishthira), O you foremost of all monarchs, this Shishupaala possessed of little intelligence is desirous of taking along with him all these kings, through the agency of Him who is the soul of the universe, to the regions of Yama. Assuredly, O Bharata (Yudhishthira), (Lord) Vishnu has been desirous of taking back to Himself the energy (Teja in Sanskrit) that exists in this Shishupaala. O Chief of all intelligent men (Yudhishthira), O son of Kunti, the intelligence of this wicked-minded king of the Chedis (Shishupaala), as also of all these monarchs, has become irrational. Indeed, the intelligence of all those whom this tiger among men (Sri Krishna) desires to take to Himself, becomes irrational like that of this king of the Chedis (Shishupaala). O Yudhishthira, Maadhavaa (Sri Krishna) is the originator and also the destroyer of all created beings of the four species, (the one born out of egg, the one born from the body of the parent, born of filthy damp and plant life) existing in the three worlds.’”

“Vaishampaayana continued ‘Then the ruler of Chedis (Shishupaala), having heard these words of Bhishma, addressed the latter, O Bharata (Janamejaya), in words that were severe and rough.’”