Shishupala and Vyasa

With the Rajasuya sacrifice complete, Yudhishthira opens his sabha for a festival of giving. He feeds thousands, gifts mountains of wealth, and fills the air with music and fragrance for seven nights. The assembly that gathers to honor him is not just of kings, but of sages, celestial musicians, and the very gods themselves.

At the climax of Yudhishthira's imperial consecration, the arghya — the foremost honour — is given to Krishna. King Shishupala rises in the packed hall and delivers a blistering speech. He accuses Yudhishthira of violating dharma, Bhishma of favouritism, and Krishna of being unworthy of a king's homage, then leads a walkout of insulted monarchs.