Shloka 172
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
पुरा तक्षशिलासंस्थ॑ं निवृत्तमपराजितम् । सम्यग्विजयिन दृष्टवा समन्तान्मन्त्रिभिवृतम्,जनमेजय पहले तक्षशिला गये थे। वे वहाँ जाकर पूर्ण विजय पा चुके थे। उत्तंकने मन्त्रियोंसे घिरे हुए उत्तम विजयसे सम्पन्न राजा जनमेजयको देखकर पहले उन्हें न्यायपूर्वक जयसम्बन्धी आशीर्वाद दिया। तत्पश्चात् उचित समयपर उपयुक्त शब्दोंसे विभूषित वाणीद्वारा उनसे इस प्रकार कहा--
purā takṣaśilā-saṁsthaṁ nivṛttam aparājitam | samyag-vijayinaṁ dṛṣṭvā samantān mantribhir vṛtam, janamejayam ||
Formerly, having gone to Takṣaśilā and returned undefeated, he beheld King Janamejaya—fully successful in his campaign—surrounded on all sides by his ministers. First, in accordance with proper decorum, he offered him blessings connected with victory; then, at the fitting moment, he addressed him with well-chosen words.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in contexts of military or political success, dharma is expressed through restraint, propriety, and timely, well-chosen speech—victory is to be acknowledged with decorum and followed by counsel rather than arrogance.
After returning from Takṣaśilā undefeated, the speaker sees King Janamejaya, who is attended by ministers and marked as victorious. He first offers appropriate victory-blessings and then prepares to speak to the king in fitting, carefully worded language.