02.041
Pancharatra: Exchange of words between Bhishma and Shishupala.
Bhīṣma said.
This is not the intention of the king of Cedi by which he invites you, O Acyuta. Surely, this is indeed the decision of Kṛṣṇa, the sustainer of the world. (2-41-1)
Who indeed among kings on earth today, except Bhīmasena, could cast me down, whose mind is overpowered by fate, just as this disgrace of the family (has done)? (2-41-2)
O mighty-armed one, this is certainly a portion of Hari's radiance; Hari, renowned and illustrious, now wishes to reclaim him. (2-41-3)
O tiger among the Kurus, it is by him—this king of the Cedis, who, like a tiger, roars exceedingly with wicked intent, disregarding all of us. (2-41-4)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then the king of Chedi, unable to bear Bhishma's words at that time, spoke again to Bhishma in great anger with this reply. (2-41-5)
Shishupala said.
May this formidable power of Keśava, which is directed against our enemies, be present; you, like a bard, are always ready to sing his praises. (2-41-6)
O Bhishma, the minds of others are always inclined towards praise. If you praise the king, abandoning this Janardana (Krishna), (2-41-7)
Praise the Darada, the Bahlika, this foremost of kings, by whose birth the earth was split. (2-41-8)
O Bhishma, praise this Karna, the superintendent of the territories of Vanga and Anga, who is equal to Indra in strength and a mighty wielder of the great bow. (2-41-9)
Droṇa and Drauṇi, the great chariot-warrior father and son, you should properly praise; always praise these two, Bhīṣma, the best among the twice-born. (2-41-10)
O Bhīṣma, my thought is that of the two, whichever one becomes enraged could make this entire earth, with all its moving and unmoving beings, his own. (2-41-11)
I do not see any king equal to Droṇa in battle; nor do you wish to praise either Aśvatthāman or Bhīṣma. (2-41-12)
Bhishma, if you always have the intention to praise, why do you not praise Shalya and the other lords of the earth? (2-41-13)
O king, what could I possibly do that you, among the elders, have not already heard from those who speak of dharma in the past? (2-41-14)
Self-blame, self-praise, blaming others, and praising others—these four types of conduct are not followed by the noble. (2-41-15)
Whatever you are always praising here, out of delusion and with devotion, Keśava—Bhīṣma, no one approves of that (2-41-16).
How do you, by mere desire, entrust the entire world to Bhoja's man, the group-protector, who is wicked-minded? (2-41-17)
Now, O Bhārata, this devotion of yours does not reach its true nature. I have already explained this before, just as with the earth-marked bird. (2-41-18)
O Bhishma, on the far side of the Himalayas, there is a bird named Bhūliṅga; her words are always heard, but they are considered blameworthy in meaning. (2-41-19)
Do not say, 'this is rashness,' for she always speaks thus. Yet, acting exceedingly rashly on her own, she does not realize it. (2-41-20)
She, of little intelligence, takes that piece of flesh which is stuck between the teeth of the terrible lion while he is eating. (2-41-21)
O Bhishma, just as the lioness lives as long as the lion desires, without doubt, so too, you, knower of unrighteousness, always speak such words. (2-41-22)
O Bhishma, among all the kings who desire, there is doubt about the living; truly, there is no one whose actions are as hated by the world as yours, and no one equal to you. (2-41-23)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, upon hearing the harsh words of the king of the Cedis, Bhishma spoke these words, O king, as the king of the Cedis listened. (2-41-24)
I live, it is said, only for those who desire me among these kings; for I am one who regards these rulers as no more than blades of grass. (2-41-25)
When Bhishma had spoken thus, then the kings became angry; some there rejoiced, while others censured Bhishma. (2-41-26)
Some of the great archers, upon hearing Bhīṣma's words, said: "This Bhīṣma, being wicked, arrogant, and old, does not deserve forgiveness." (2-41-27)
Let the evil-minded Bhishma be slain like a beast, properly, by the assembled and enraged kings; or let him be burned by all with the fire of the funeral pyre. (2-41-28)
Having listened to their words, the wise Bhishma, grandsire of the Kurus, then addressed those very kings of the earth. (2-41-29)
I do not see an end here to what has already been said. But listen, O kings of the earth, to all that I am about to say. (2-41-30)
Let me be killed like an animal or burned by the funeral fire; do as you wish. I have placed my entire step (self) on your head. (2-41-31)
Here stands Govinda, Acyuta, worshipped by us. He whose mind and intellect rush towards death should turn to Mādhava. (2-41-32)
Summon Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of the Śārṅga bow and mace, today to the battle, until the body of this very god, when slain, may enter (the earth). (2-41-33)
