DISPUTE BETWEEN KINGS AND BHISHMA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > SHISHUPAALA VADHA PARVA > CHAPTER 43 - DISPUTE BETWEEN KINGS AND BHISHMA

“Bhishma said, ‘The will under which the ruler of Chedi (Shishupaala) calls you (Bhimasena) to fight though you are of strength that knows no deterioration, is scarcely his own intention. Assuredly, this is the purpose of (Sri) Krishna Himself, the lord of the universe. O Bhima, what king is there on earth that would dare abuse me thus, as this wretch of his race (Kulapaamsana in Sanskrit), already possessed by Death, has done today? This mighty-armed one (Shishupaala) is, without doubt, a portion of Hari’s energy (Tejas in Sanskrit). Surely, the Lord desires to take back to Himself that energy of His own. In consequence of this, O tiger of the Kuru race, this tiger-like king of Chedi (Shishupaala), so wicked of heart (Durbuddhi in Sanskrit), roars in such a way caring little for us all.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of Bhishma, the king of Chedi (Shishupaala) could bear no more. He then replied in anger to Bhishma in these words –

‘Let our enemies, O Bhishma, be filled with that prowess which this Keshava has, whom you like a professional chanter of hymns praise, rising repeatedly from your seat. If your mind, O Bhishma, delights so in praising others, then you praise these kings, leaving off (Sri) Krishna. You praise this excellent of kings, Darada, the ruler of Baalhika, who tore this earth as soon as he was born. You praise, O Bhishma, this Karna, the ruler of the territories of Anga and Vanga, who is equal in strength to Him of a thousand eyes (Lord Indra), who draws a large bow, who endued with mighty arms owns divine ear-rings (Kundala in Sanskrit) of heavenly make with which he was born and this coat of armour (Kavacha in Sanskrit) possessing the splendour of the rising Sun, who vanquished in a wrestling encounter the invincible Jaraasandha equal to Vasava (Lord Indra) Himself, and who tore and mangled that monarch.

“O Bhishma, praise Drona and Ashwatthaama, who both father and son, are mighty warriors, worthy of praise, the best of Dwijas, and either of whom, O Bhishma, if enraged could annihilate this earth with its mobile and immobile creatures, as I believe. I do not see, O Bhishma, the king that is equal in battle to Drona or Ashwatthaama. Why you wish not to praise them? Passing over Duryodhana, that mighty-armed king of kings, who is unequalled in whole earth encircled with her seas and king Jayadratha accomplished in weapons and filled with great prowess, Druma – the Guru of the Kimpurushaas and celebrated over the world for prowess, Sharadwata’s son, the old Kripa, the Aachaarya of the Bharata princes and filled with great energy, why do you praise Keshava (Sri Krishna)?

“Passing over that foremost of bowmen – that excellent of kings, Rukmi of great energy, why you praise Keshava (Sri Krishna)? Passing over Bhishmaka of abundant energy, and king Dantavakra, Bhagadatta known for his innumerable yagna stakes, Jayatsena – the king of the Magadha, Viraata, Drupada, Shakuni, Brihadbala, Binda and Anubinda of Avanti, Paandya, Sweta Uttama Sankhya of great prosperity, the proud Vrishasena, the powerful Ekalavya, and the great charioteer Kalinga of abundant energy, why do you praise Keshava (Sri Krishna)?

“O Bhishma, if your mind is always inclined to sing the praises of others, why do you not praise Shalya and other rulers of the earth? O king, what can be done by me when (it seems) you have not heard anything before from knowledgeable old men giving lessons in Dharma? Have you never heard, O Bhishma, that criticism and glorification, both of self and others, are not practices of those that are respectable? There is no one that approves your conduct, O Bhishma, in non-stop praising with devotion, from ignorance alone, Keshava (Sri Krishna) so unworthy of praise. How do you, from your wish alone, establish the whole universe in the servant and cowherd of Bhoja (Kamsa)? Perhaps, O Bharata (Bhishma), this your inclination is not conformable to your true nature, like to what may be in the bird Bhoolinga, as has already been said by me.

“There is a bird called Bhoolinga living on the other side of the Himavat (present-day Himalayas). O Bhishma, that bird always utters words of adverse meaning. ‘Never do anything rash’ – this is what she always says, but never understand that she herself always acts very rashly. Possessed of little intelligence that bird picks from the lion’s mouth the pieces of flesh sticking between the teeth, and at a time when the lion is employed in eating. Assuredly, O Bhishma, that bird lives at the pleasure of the lion. O sinful wretch (Bhishma), you always speak like that bird. Assuredly, O Bhishma, you are alive at the pleasure only of these kings. Employed in acts contrary to the opinions of all, there is none else like you!’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these harsh words of the ruler of Chedi (Shishupaala), Bhishma, O king (Janamejaya), said in the hearing of the king of Chedi, ‘Truly am I alive at the pleasure of these rulers of earth. But I do regard these kings as not equal to even a straw.’ As soon as these words were spoken by Bhishma, the kings became inflamed with anger. And the down of some amongst them stood erect and some began to reprove Bhishma. Hearing those words of Bhishma, some among them, that were wielders of large bows exclaimed, ‘This wretched Bhishma, though old, is exceedingly boastful. He deserves not our forgiveness. Therefore, O kings, enraged with anger as this Bhishma is, it is well that this wretch were slain like an animal, or mustering together, let us burn him in a fire of grass or straw.’

“Hearing these words of the monarchs, Bhishma the Pitaamaha of the Kurus, filled with great intelligence, addressing those lords of earth, said, ‘I do not see the end of our speeches, for words may be answered with words. Therefore, O lords of earth, you all listen to what I say. Whether I be slain like an animal or burnt in a fire of grass and straw, thus do I distinctly place my foot on the heads of you all. Here is Govinda (Sri Krishna), that knows no deterioration. Him have we worshipped. Let Him who wishes for speedy death, summon to battle Maadhavaa (Sri Krishna) of black colour and the wielder of Chakra and the mace (Gada in Sanskrit); and falling enter into and mix with the body of this Deva (Sri Krishna)!’”