Topic Details (Notes format)

Who was Shishupala in the Mahabharata, and why did Krishna slay him?

Subject: Static GK (General Knowledge)

Book: Mahabharata Characters

Shishupala, the king of Chedi, is an avowed antagonist of Krishna. Though more directly linked to Krishna’s stories, he appears at Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya Yajna, spouting insults and eventually meeting his end.

### Birth & Boon
- **Three Eyes, Four Arms** at birth, prophesied to be killed by Krishna when his sins exceeded tolerance.
- **Related to Krishna**: Some sources mention a cousin relationship.

### Conflict with Krishna
- **Hostility**: Frequently insults Krishna, holds personal grudges.
- **Rajasuya Incident**: Shishupala disrupts Yudhishthira’s coronation, verbally attacking Krishna.

### End
- **Krishna’s Sudarshana Chakra**: Used to behead Shishupala once his repeated offenses cross the threshold.

Shishupala’s downfall illustrates how unchecked hatred and continuous disrespect of divinity or moral codes eventually leads to dire consequences. His death also legitimizes Krishna’s position at the Rajasuya ceremony.