Shloka 21
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
अर्हत्तम: कुरुषु सौमदत्ति: स नो भ्राता संजय मत्सखा च | महेष्वासो रथिनामुत्तमो्ई: सहामात्य: कुशल तस्य पृच्छे:,संजय! सोमदत्तके पुत्र भूरिश्रवा कुरुकुलमें पूज्यतम पुरुष माने गये हैं। वे हमलोगोंके निकट सम्बन्धी और मेरे प्रिय सखा हैं। रथी वीरोंमें उनका बहुत ऊँचा स्थान है। वे महान् धनुर्धर तथा आदरणीय वीर हैं। तुम मेरी ओरसे मन्त्रियोंसहित उनका कुशल-समाचार पूछना
arhattamaḥ kuruṣu saumadattiḥ sa no bhrātā saṃjaya matsakha ca | maheṣvāso rathinām uttamo hi sahāmātyaḥ kuśalaṃ tasya pṛccheḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Among the Kurus, Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas) is most worthy of honor. O Sañjaya, he is our kinsman and also my dear friend. He stands foremost among the great chariot-warriors—an eminent archer and a venerable hero. Convey my regards and, together with his ministers, inquire after his welfare.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid impending conflict, dharma expresses itself through respect for worthy persons, acknowledgment of kinship, and courteous inquiry into another’s welfare; honor and ethical speech are maintained alongside political necessity.
In the pre-war diplomatic exchanges of the Udyoga Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira instructs Sañjaya to convey greetings and ask after the well-being of Bhūriśravas (Saumadatti), praising him as an honored Kuru and foremost chariot-warrior.