Shloka 31

Kṛṣṇa’s Departure, Auspicious Omens, and the Opening of the Uttaṅka Dialogue (कृष्णप्रयाण-निमित्त-उत्तङ्कसंवाद-प्रारम्भः)

Devanagari script

क्षत्तारं चापि संगृहा पृष्टत्वा कुशलमव्ययम्‌

Transliteration

kṣattāraṃ cāpi saṃgṛhya pṛṣṭvā kuśalam avyayam

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: He also approached the chamberlain and, taking hold of him, inquired after his enduring welfare—whether all was well and unharmed. The line reflects dharmic courtesy: first ensuring another’s well-being before turning to one’s own business.

Word by Word

• क्षत्तारम्: the chamberlain/attendant (kṣattā)
• क्षत्तारम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्तृ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• संगृह्य: having taken/received (having gathered)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-ग्रह्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• पृष्ट्वा: having asked
• Type: Verb
• Root: पृच्छ्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• कुशलम्: welfare/well-being
• कुशलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अव्ययम्: undiminished/unchanged; safe
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• kṣattṛ (chamberlain/attendant)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: one should begin interactions by respectfully inquiring into another’s welfare, signaling goodwill and non-harm before pursuing one’s own aims.

What is happening in the narrative?

A figure (implied from context) approaches the court officer (kṣattṛ) and first asks about his well-being—an opening gesture of respect and reassurance that all is safe and in order.