Shloka 23
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
ये राजान: पाण्डवायोधनाय समानीता धार्तराष्ट्रेण केचित् । वशातय: शाल्वका: केकयाश्ष तथाम्बष्ठा ये त्रिगर्ताश्न॒ मुख्या:,दुर्योधनने हम पाण्डवोंके साथ युद्ध करनेके लिये जिन-जिन राजाओंको बुलाया है। वे वशाति, शाल्व, केकय, अम्बष्ठ तथा त्रिगर्तदेशके प्रधान वीर, पूर्व, उत्तर, दक्षिण और पश्चिम दिशाके शौर्यसम्पन्न योद्धा तथा समस्त पर्वतीय नरेश वहाँ उपस्थित हैं। वे लोग दयालु तथा शील और सदाचारसे सम्पन्न हैं। संजय! तुम मेरी ओरसे उन सबका कुशल-मंगल पूछना
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | ye rājānaḥ pāṇḍavāyodhanāya samānītā dhārtarāṣṭreṇa kecit | vaśātayaḥ śālvakāḥ kekayāś ca tathāmbāṣṭhā ye trigartāś ca mukhyāḥ | sañjaya! tvaṃ mama vācā teṣāṃ sarveṣāṃ kuśala-maṅgalaṃ pṛccha |
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Sañjaya, convey my words and ask after the welfare and auspicious condition of all those kings whom Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son has summoned for battle against the Pāṇḍavas—such as the Vaśātis, the Śālvas, the Kekayas, the Ambāṣṭhas, and the foremost heroes of the Trigartas. Though they have been called to war, they are reputed to be compassionate and well-conducted; therefore, on my behalf, inquire after their well-being.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid imminent conflict, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains dharmic restraint: he recognizes the humanity and good conduct of opposing allies and instructs that their welfare be respectfully inquired after. The verse highlights ethical speech, courtesy, and compassion as virtues that should not be abandoned in political crisis.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Sañjaya and refers to the various kings and peoples whom Duryodhana has gathered to fight the Pāṇḍavas. He asks Sañjaya to convey his regards and inquire about their well-being, acknowledging their reputation for good character despite their alignment with the Kaurava side.