Shloka 20
Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
बन्धून् कुशलिन: श्रुत्वा पृष्ट्वा शिवमनामयम् । परस्परमथो रामो बभाषेऽविक्लवं वच: ॥ २० ॥
bandhūn kuśalinaḥ śrutvā pṛṣṭvā śivam anāmayam parasparam atho rāmo babhāṣe ’viklavaṁ vacaḥ
Nachdem beide Seiten gehört hatten, dass es ihren Verwandten gut ging, und einander nach Wohlergehen, Gesundheit und Krankheitsfreiheit gefragt hatten, sprach der Herr Balarāma ohne Zögern offen zu den Kurus.
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “They all exchanged words of reception by asking one another of their welfare, and when such formality was finished, Lord Balarāma, in a great voice and very patiently, submitted before them the following words for their consideration.”
FAQs
This verse shows the Vedic etiquette of first confirming relatives are safe and then mutually asking about auspicious well-being and freedom from distress before proceeding with further discussion.
After the customary exchange of welfare and reassurance, Balarāma (Rāma) addressed the situation with steady, composed speech—modeling self-control and dharmic conduct within the unfolding narrative.
Begin conversations—especially tense ones—by checking on well-being, then speak with composure and clarity; this reduces conflict and reflects the Bhagavatam’s culture of respectful, dharmic communication.