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:
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 |
ユディシュティラは言った。「サンジャヤよ、私の言葉を伝え、持国王の子がパーンダヴァと戦うために招集した諸王—ヴァシャーティ、シャールヴァ、ケーカヤ、アンバーシュタ、そしてトリガルタの名だたる勇士たち—そのすべてに、安否と吉祥を問いかけてくれ。戦へと呼ばれはしたが、彼らは慈悲深く、品行正しいと名高い。ゆえに私に代わって、その無事を尋ねよ。」
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.