Shloka 40
अनामयं मद्वचनेन पृच्छे: सर्वास्तथा द्रौपदेयांश्व॒ पञ्च । यद् यत् तत्र प्राप्तकालं परेभ्य- स्त्वं मन्येथा भारतानां हितं च | तद् भाषेथा: संजय राजमध्ये न मूर्च्ईयेद् यन्न च युद्धहेतु:
anāmayaṁ madvacanena pṛcchēḥ sarvāstathā draupadeyāṁś ca pañca | yad yat tatra prāptakālaṁ parebhyaḥ tvaṁ manyethā bhāratānāṁ hitaṁ ca | tad bhāṣethāḥ saṁjaya rājamadhye na mūrcchīyed yan na ca yuddhahetuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “With my message, inquire after the well-being of all—especially the five sons of Draupadī. And whatever you judge timely to say there, in the presence of the others, and whatever you deem beneficial for the Bhāratas, speak that, Sañjaya, in the midst of the king’s court—yet speak so that the king does not lose heart, and so that your words do not become a cause of war.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Speech should be both timely and welfare-oriented: one must convey what benefits the community, yet with restraint so that words do not destabilize the ruler or ignite conflict.
Vaiśampāyana reports instructions to Sañjaya: he is to convey a message, inquire about everyone’s well-being (notably Draupadī’s five sons), and speak in the king’s court in a way that promotes the Bhāratas’ good without provoking war.