The sage Nārada, beholding the splendour of the Rājasūya and the flawless virtues of Dharmarāja, rejoiced in silent wonder. He watched the gathered kings and vassal lords, and among them beheld Kṛṣṇa moving with the ease of a simple man. Yet Nārada’s heart dwelt upon the ancient prayer of Brahmā and the gods, and he knew the secret: that Śrī Mahāviṣṇu had descended in the Yadu line as Kṛṣṇa, to cleanse the earth of the burden of sin. He foresaw the incarnations of celestial beings, Gandharvas, dānavas and Daityas in the kshatriya clans, and the mighty war of the Bharatas that would shake the world. He felt a strange joy in these approaching storms, knowing they would recast culture and society, shaping history into a web of subtle politics, moral codes, regal disciplines, and the intricate bonds of family.
Bhīṣma, the tranquil son of Śāntanu, rejoiced that the sacrifice had been completed in perfect accord with the scriptural ordinance. Turning to Dharmaraja, he spoke with the grave authority of wisdom: “O scion of the Kuru race, O Dharmaraja—scholar, preacher of the Veda, master and teacher, honoured by all, lord of men—he who unites these six excellences is alone worthy of worship.” Yudhishtra bowed and asked, “Who, O grandsire, is meet for such homage?”
Bhīṣma answered with words bright as the sun and cool as the moon: “He who illumines the world as the sun the heavens, who refreshes it as the moon with gentle rays; whose presence, like the white lotus, is stainless and serene; whose eyes are like lotus petals; who has neither beginning nor end; whose navel bears the lotus of creation—here stands Kṛṣṇa. Why seek another? None else is worthy of the arghya of honour. He is the very personification of sacrifice. Worship Him.”
Gladdened by these words, Yudhiṣṭhira bade Sahadeva bring the consecrated water and, with due rite, offered it to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. But Śiśupāla, king of Cedi, burst forth in furious protest. His voice rang through the hall: “This assembly holds kings and venerable scholars, masters of the Veda. Yet you, misled by the erring counsel of Bhīṣma, have honoured a man of the Vṛṣṇi race—one of base conduct—as guest of honour. Before such august company you have betrayed your ignorance. This servant of servitude is unfit for such homage. The true philosophy of dharma is hidden from you; Bhīṣma’s judgment is clouded. In a court graced by sages, warriors, and vassal lords, you have offered the highest honour to one unworthy, and in so doing have insulted the royal and the brahmin world alike.
“Was Kṛṣṇa honoured as an elder while his own father Vasudeva sat here? Did you honour Vyāsa, the sage of sages? Did you worship Drona or Kṛpa, or any king of the earth? The Yādavas are not kings. Among these assembled, who would rank Kṛṣṇa first? You have slighted those who deserve homage and raised up one who is not fit. Yudhiṣṭhira, the kings came trusting in your repute as the jewel among rulers, hoping for the dignity of the yajña. Yet you have dishonoured them. And Kṛṣṇa—shameless—has accepted an honour he does not merit. To worship him is like marrying a eunuch, like playing music to the deaf, or showing a painted vision to the blind. O so-called wise one, have you done this merely to be mocked by the kings?”
In wild anger Śiśupāla gathered his sons and retinue and strode from the hall. Yudhiṣṭhira followed with gentle words: “Kings and scholars, lords and heirs of royalty, must not speak harshly to their guests. Harsh words are more deadly than venom, fiercer than fire. The very source of creation, praised in the Vedas, the primordial Lord of the universe, venerable in all three worlds, has been rightly honoured by our grandsire. It is no fault, but the highest truth. O Śiśupāla, Kṛṣṇa is the light of the ignorant, the eternal one. Bhīṣma knows this secret, though it is hidden from you. Can a soul of lesser vision fathom the ways of the divine?”
Bhīṣma added sternly, “Why strive to appease one grown in ill conduct? His heart is bound by envy and spite. With but a petty realm, he has become reckless in speech and delights in insulting the pious. He cannot comprehend the path of virtue. Hear me, Śiśupāla: thy pride has dared to deride Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the incarnation of Mahavishnu. Know that many kings here were delivered from the captivity of Jarāsandha by His valour. Name any man who surpasses Him. Even a boy, if rich in wisdom, deserves homage; and the kṣatriya whose courage is peerless is worthy of kings’ worship. Kṛṣṇa, the slayer of the demon Mura, shines in both wisdom and might. He is revered not by us alone but by the three worlds. Beware, lest you invite the fate of Mura himself.”
He lifted his voice for all to hear: “Of the countless elders, we honour him who is supreme in wisdom. Kṛṣṇa is the worthiest among kings. To worship any other may please a few, but to worship Him is to delight the three worlds. Mind and senses cannot grasp the soul; the sky, the earth, the sun, the moon, fire, wind, the quarters and time itself—all dwell in Him, who bears the universe upon His being. Only sages in deep meditation glimpse Him through their inward vision. How then could one blinded by pride know Him?”
As Bhīṣma spoke, Sahadeva declared with fiery resolve, “This highest honour to Śrī Kṛṣṇa cannot be withdrawn nor questioned. Should any wicked mind oppose it, I shall crush him beneath my foot!” And lifting his foot in wrath, he stood defiant. The hall fell into a hush of fear; from the sky flowers rained upon Sahadeva, and a hidden voice praised him. All present marvelled at the wonder, while Nārada the sage rejoiced, knowing that the hour was near when the earth would be freed from the burden of its sinners.
