Shloka 9
Uttanka’s Inquiry and Vāsudeva’s Adhyātma Exposition
Guṇa–Ritual–Immanence Teaching
स पृष्ट: कुशल तेन सम्पूज्य मधुसूदनम् । उत्तड़को ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठस्तत: पप्रच्छ माधवम्,उनके कुशल-मंगल पूछनेपर विप्रवर उत्तंकने भी मधुसूदन माधवकी पूजा करके उनसे इस प्रकार प्रश्न किया--
sa pṛṣṭaḥ kuśalaṁ tena sampūjya madhusūdanam | uttaṅko brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhas tataḥ papraccha mādhavam ||
When he had been asked about his welfare, the foremost brāhmaṇa Uttanka first duly honored Madhusūdana (Kṛṣṇa). Then, having paid him reverence, he proceeded to question Mādhava—thus continuing the dialogue in a manner marked by courtesy, dharma, and proper respect toward a revered guest and guide.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic conduct in conversation: before pressing questions, one should inquire after welfare and offer due honor. Respectful approach (pūjā, proper address, and courteous inquiry) is presented as the ethical frame for seeking guidance, even when the question may be urgent or challenging.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Uttanka, after being asked about his well-being, worships/honors Kṛṣṇa (addressed as Madhusūdana/Mādhava) and then begins to question him, signaling the start of a focused inquiry within the Ashvamedhika Parva episode.