Shloka 39
Kṛṣṇa’s Departure, Auspicious Omens, and the Opening of the Uttaṅka Dialogue (कृष्णप्रयाण-निमित्त-उत्तङ्कसंवाद-प्रारम्भः)
ततः स राजा मेधावी विवक्षू प्रेक्ष्य तावुभौ । प्रोवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठो वचनं राजसत्तम:,तत्पश्चात् वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ भूपालशिरोमणि मेधावी युधिष्ठिरने उन्हें कुछ कहनेके लिये इच्छुक देख उनसे इस प्रकार कहा--
tataḥ sa rājā medhāvī vivakṣū prekṣya tāv ubhau | provāca vadatāṁ śreṣṭho vacanaṁ rājasattamaḥ ||
Then that wise king, seeing the two of them eager to speak, addressed them. The foremost among speakers—Yudhiṣṭhira, best of kings—spoke words befitting a ruler, setting the tone for what was to follow.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of leadership: a wise ruler listens attentively, recognizes others’ readiness to speak, and responds with measured, appropriate speech—suggesting that governance begins with discernment and respectful dialogue.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira, noticing two individuals eager to speak, addresses them and begins to speak, marking a transition into the next exchange or counsel within the Ashvamedhika Parva.