Shloka 16
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १२५: दुर्योधनस्य प्रत्युत्तरम्
Duryodhana’s Reply in the Kuru Assembly
अर्जुनेन यमाभ्यां च त्रिभिस्तैरभिवादित: । मूर्थ्नि तान् समुपाप्राय प्रेम्णाभिवद पार्थिव
arjunena yamābhyāṃ ca tribhis tair abhivāditaḥ | mūrdhni tān samupāprāya premṇābhivada pārthiva ||
राजन! अर्जुन और नकुल-सहदेव—ये तीनों भाई तुम्हें प्रणाम करें; तुम उनके पास जाकर उनके मस्तक सूँघकर, प्रेमपूर्वक उनका अभिवादन करो और उनसे स्नेहभरी बातें करो।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic etiquette within family and polity: juniors show reverence through obeisance, and the elder/king responds with affectionate acceptance (symbolized by smelling the head) and gentle speech—restoring bonds through respectful conduct.
Vaiśampāyana describes a moment of formal greeting: Arjuna and the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva have paid respects to a king/elder, and the king is urged to approach them, affectionately acknowledge them by smelling their heads, and converse with them warmly.