अभिवाद्य तु तं देवा: पृष्टवा कुशलमेव च । इदमूचुर्महात्मानं वाक्यं काले जनाधिप,'जनेश्वर! उन्हें प्रणाम करके देवताओंने उनका कुशल-समाचार पूछा और समयपर उन महात्मासे इस प्रकार कहा--
abhivādya tu taṃ devāḥ pṛṣṭvā kuśalam eva ca | idam ūcur mahātmānaṃ vākyaṃ kāle janādhipa ||
Bhishma berkata: Setelah memberi salam hormat kepadanya, para dewa bertanya tentang kesejahteraannya. Kemudian, pada saat yang wajar, mereka berkata kepada insan agung itu demikian, wahai tuan manusia.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: one should first offer respectful salutation, inquire about well-being, and speak at the appropriate time—especially when addressing a noble person or a ruler.
Bhīṣma narrates that the gods approach a great-souled person, salute him, ask after his welfare, and then begin their timely message, with the next verses expected to contain the content of their speech.