02.035
Pancharatra: Bhishma justifies why Krishna deserves the highest honour.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then King Yudhishthira approached Shishupala and addressed him with these conciliatory and gentle words. (2-35-1)
O king, what you have spoken is not proper. It is great unrighteousness, harshness, and meaningless. (2-35-2)
O king, no one ever understands a dharma higher than this; Bhishma, son of Shantanu, do not despise him for any other reason. (2-35-3)
See, O Krishna, these many kings, most senior to you, are tolerated and honored; likewise, you should also be forgiving. (2-35-4)
O king of the Cedis, Bhīṣma indeed knows Kṛṣṇa in reality and thoroughly; you do not know him in the same way as the Kaurava does. (2-35-5)
Bhīṣma said.
He should not be conciliated; he does not deserve soothing words. Even among the most senior in the world, Kṛṣṇa does not approve of honor. (2-35-6)
A warrior who conquers another warrior in battle is the best among those who fight; but he who, having subdued someone, releases him, becomes his teacher. (2-35-7)
And in this assembly of kings, I do not see even a single king unconquered in battle by the energy of Satyavati's son. (2-35-8)
Acyuta is not only the most worthy of worship for us; Janardana is worthy of worship even for the three worlds. (2-35-9)
Indeed, many mighty kṣatriyas were conquered in battle by Kṛṣṇa; and the entire world was established by the descendant of Vṛṣṇi. (2-35-10)
Therefore, even among the virtuous and elders, let us worship Kṛṣṇa and not others. You should not speak thus, nor should your mind be like this. (2-35-11)
O king, I have attended many who are grown in knowledge. Among them, as they spoke of Śauri, I heard the qualities of the virtuous. Of those assembled, I heard many highly esteemed virtues of the good. (2-35-12)
The actions of that wise one, from his birth onwards, which have often been recounted by men, I have heard again and again. (2-35-13)
Not only do we, out of desire, seek the king of Cedi, O Janardana, but not even considering relationship or whether one has achieved his purpose in any way. (2-35-14)
We worship him who is worshipped by the virtuous on earth and brings earthly happiness; knowing his fame, valor, and victory, we perform his worship. (2-35-15)
Indeed, no one here, not even a very young boy, has been left unexamined by us; surpassing the elders in virtues, Hari is considered the most worthy of worship. (2-35-16)
Among the twice-born, one who is advanced in knowledge, and among the kṣatriyas, one who is superior in strength—these two are worthy of worship here; in Govinda, both these reasons are present. (2-35-17)
Who among men in this world possesses distinguished knowledge of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, special knowledge, and immeasurable strength, except Keśava? (2-35-18)
Gift, skill, learning, valor, modesty, fame, excellent intellect, humility, prosperity, steadfastness, contentment, and nourishment — all these are firmly established in Acyuta (Viṣṇu). (2-35-19)
All of you ought to honor him, this teacher, father, and preceptor, who is endowed with all virtues and is worthy of worship, worshipped, and deserving of worship. (2-35-20)
The priest, the teacher, the bridegroom, the graduate, and the king are all dear; therefore, all these were offered to Dhṛṣīkeśa, and thus Acyuta was worshipped. (2-35-21)
Kṛṣṇa alone is the origin and dissolution of the worlds; for the sake of Kṛṣṇa, indeed, this entire universe of beings is dedicated. (2-35-22)
This nature is unmanifest, the eternal doer; and the transcendent, therefore, is the most ancient and infallible among all beings. (2-35-23)
Intellect, mind, the great principle (mahat), air, fire, water, ether, earth, and all fourfold beings—everything is established in Kṛṣṇa. (2-35-24)
The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the directions and the intermediate directions—all are established in Kṛṣṇa. (2-35-25)
But this man, the child Śiśupāla, does not understand. Therefore, everywhere and always, he thus speaks about Kṛṣṇa. (2-35-26)
An intelligent man who truly investigates the highest dharma will recognize what is adharma, and will not see it as this king of the Cedis does. (2-35-27)
Among the aged and the young, or among kings and great souls, who would not consider Kṛṣṇa worthy? Who indeed would not worship him? (2-35-28)
Now, Śiśupāla determines to perform this evil worship. Since it is wrongdoing, he is justified in acting in such an unjust manner. (2-35-29)
