अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
पाण्डुपुत्रोंस मिलकर महाबाहु शल्यने उनके द्वारा विधिपूर्वक दिये हुए पाद्य, अर्घ्ध और गौको ग्रहण किया ।। ततः कुशलपूर्व हि मद्रराजोडरिसूदन: । प्रीत्या परमया युक्त: समाश्शलिष्यद् युधिष्ठिरम्
tataḥ kuśalapūrvaṁ hi madrarājo ’risūdanaḥ | prītyā paramayā yuktaḥ samāśliṣyad yudhiṣṭhiram ||
പിന്നീട് അരിസൂദനനായ മദ്രരാജൻ ശല്യൻ ആദ്യം കുശലാന്വേഷണം നടത്തി, പരമസ്നേഹത്തോടെ യുദ്ധിഷ്ഠിരനെ ഹൃദയപൂർവ്വം ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്തു.
शल्य उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic conduct in social and royal life: one should begin encounters with respectful welfare-inquiries and honor relationships with sincere affection. Proper reception and courteous speech are presented as ethical duties that sustain trust and order, even amid looming political tension.
Śalya, the king of Madra, having been duly received (with traditional offerings) and after exchanging polite inquiries, warmly embraces Yudhiṣṭhira. It marks a moment of cordial alliance-building and formal hospitality in the Udyoga Parva’s preparations for war.