Shloka 7
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 31 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Instructions to Sañjaya
Peace Appeal and Five-Village Proposal
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः प्रविश्यानुमते नृपस्य महद् वेश्म प्राज्ञशूरार्यगुप्तम् । सिंहासनस्थं पार्थिवमाससाद वैचित्रवीर्य प्राउजलि: सूतपुत्र:
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: tataḥ praviśyānumate nṛpasya mahad veśma prājñaśūrāryaguptam | siṃhāsanasthaṃ pārthivam āsasāda vaicitryavīrya-praujjaliḥ sūtaputraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, having entered with the king’s permission into the vast royal residence—well guarded by wise, valiant, and noble men—the charioteer’s son Sañjaya approached the sovereign who sat upon the throne, the descendant of Vicitravīrya (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), and stood before him with hands joined in respectful salutation, ready to speak.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct in governance and counsel: one should seek permission, respect institutional safeguards, and approach authority with humility (prauñjaliḥ). Even when bearing important messages, proper etiquette and reverence maintain order and ethical communication in the royal court.
Sañjaya, after receiving the king’s permission, enters the well-guarded palace and approaches Dhṛtarāṣṭra seated on the throne. With folded hands, he stands ready to address him, marking the formal beginning of a courtly communication in the Udyoga Parva’s diplomatic setting.