Shloka 23
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
शल्य उवाच क्षिप्रमेष्यामि भद्रं ते गच्छस्व स्वपुरं नूप । परिष्वज्य तथान्योन्यं शल्यदुर्योधनावुभौ,शल्य बोले--नरेश्वर! तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। तुम अपने नगरको जाओ । मैं शीघ्र आऊँगा। ऐसा कहकर राजा शल्य तथा दुर्योधन दोनों एक-दूसरेसे गले मिलकर विदा हुए
śalya uvāca | kṣipram eṣyāmi bhadraṃ te gacchasva svapuraṃ nṛpa | pariṣvajya tathānyonyaṃ śalya-duryodhanāv ubhau ||
Śalya said: “I shall come quickly; may good befall you. Go now to your own city, O king.” Having spoken thus, Śalya and Duryodhana embraced one another and departed.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how social decorum—blessings, promises of swift return, and affectionate gestures—operates within political life; ethical discernment is needed because courteous speech may coexist with strategic calculation in the approach to conflict.
Śalya tells Duryodhana to return to his city and assures him he will come soon; then Śalya and Duryodhana embrace each other and take leave, marking a courteous conclusion to their meeting amid the mobilization leading toward war.