Shloka 38
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
ते तु दृष्टवैव राजानं जरासंध॑ नर्षभा: । इदमूचुरमित्रघ्ना: सर्वे भरतसत्तम,भरतवंशशिरोमणे! शत्रुओंका नाश करनेवाले वे सभी नरश्रेष्ठ राजा जरासंधको देखते ही इस प्रकार बोले--“महाराज! आपका कल्याण हो।” जनमेजय! ऐसा कहकर वे तीनों खड़े हो गये तथा कभी राजा जरासंधको और कभी आपसमें एक दूसरेको देखने लगे
te tu dṛṣṭvaiva rājānaṃ jarāsandhaṃ nararṣabhāḥ | idam ūcur amitraghnāḥ sarve bharatasattama bharatavaṃśaśiromaṇe | “śivaṃ te ’stu mahārāja” iti | janamejaya, evaṃ uktvā te trayaḥ samuttiṣṭhya kadācid rājānaṃ jarāsandhaṃ kadācid anyonyaṃ parasparaṃ ca dadṛśuḥ |
But as soon as those bull-like men beheld King Jarāsandha, all of them—foe-destroyers—addressed him thus: “O best of the Bharatas, crest-jewel of the Bharata line, may good befall you, O great king.” O Janamejaya, having spoken so, the three rose and stood, now looking at King Jarāsandha and now glancing at one another among themselves.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in tense political encounters, dhārmic conduct begins with proper respect and auspicious speech. The greeting “śivaṃ te ’stu” reflects courtly restraint and strategic civility, signaling adherence to etiquette before any conflict or negotiation.
Three eminent men come before King Jarāsandha. On seeing him, they formally greet him with honorific epithets and an auspicious blessing. After speaking, they stand and exchange glances—sometimes toward Jarāsandha, sometimes among themselves—suggesting deliberation and the gravity of the situation.