Shloka 5

Devanagari script

अभिवाद्य तु तं देवा: पृष्टवा कुशलमेव च । इदमूचुर्महात्मानं वाक्यं काले जनाधिप,'जनेश्वर! उन्हें प्रणाम करके देवताओंने उनका कुशल-समाचार पूछा और समयपर उन महात्मासे इस प्रकार कहा--

Transliteration

abhivādya tu taṃ devāḥ pṛṣṭvā kuśalam eva ca | idam ūcur mahātmānaṃ vākyaṃ kāle janādhipa ||

Translation

Bhishma said: Having respectfully saluted him, the gods inquired after his well-being. Then, at the proper moment, they addressed that great-souled one with these words, O lord of men.

Word by Word

अभिवाद्यhaving saluted

तुbut/indeed

तम्him

देवाःthe gods

पृष्ट्वाhaving asked

कुशलम्welfare/health

एवindeed/just

चand

इदम्this

ऊचुःsaid

महात्मानम्the great-souled one

वाक्यम्speech/words

कालेat the proper time

जनाधिपO lord of people (king)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

devāḥ (the gods)

janādhipa (the king addressed)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: one should first offer respectful salutation, inquire about well-being, and speak at the appropriate time—especially when addressing a noble person or a ruler.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma narrates that the gods approach a great-souled person, salute him, ask after his welfare, and then begin their timely message, with the next verses expected to contain the content of their speech.