Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 5
Āloka-dāna (Dīpa-dāna), Sumanas–Dhūpa–Dīpa Phala: Manu–Suvarṇa and Śukra–Bali Exempla
स कदाचिन्मनु विप्रो ददर्शोपससर्प च | कुशलप्रश्नमन्योन्यं तौ चोभौ तत्र चक्रतु:,एक दिन जन ब्राह्मणदेवताने प्रजापति मनुको देखा। देखकर वे उनके पास चले गये। फिर तो वे दोनों एक-दूसरेसे कुशल-समाचार पूछने लगे
sa kadācin manu vipro dadarśopasasarpa ca | kuśalapraśnam anyonyaṁ tau cobhau tatra cakratuḥ ||
Bhishma said: Once, a Brahmin saw Prajāpati Manu and approached him. There, the two of them exchanged courteous inquiries after each other’s welfare—an opening marked by respect and proper conduct.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic etiquette: respectful approach and mutual inquiry into well-being (kuśala-praśna) as the proper beginning of serious instruction or counsel.
A Brahmin encounters Manu, approaches him, and both exchange formal greetings and welfare-questions, establishing a courteous setting for the ensuing discourse.