Shloka 173
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
तस्मै जयाशिष: पूर्व यथान्यायं प्रयुज्य सः । उवाचैनं वच: काले शब्दसम्पन्नया गिरा,जनमेजय पहले तक्षशिला गये थे। वे वहाँ जाकर पूर्ण विजय पा चुके थे। उत्तंकने मन्त्रियोंसे घिरे हुए उत्तम विजयसे सम्पन्न राजा जनमेजयको देखकर पहले उन्हें न्यायपूर्वक जयसम्बन्धी आशीर्वाद दिया। तत्पश्चात् उचित समयपर उपयुक्त शब्दोंसे विभूषित वाणीद्वारा उनसे इस प्रकार कहा--
tasmai jayāśiṣaḥ pūrvaṃ yathānyāyaṃ prayujya saḥ | uvācainaṃ vacaḥ kāle śabdasampannayā girā ||
Tendo primeiro, na forma devida e conforme à conveniência, oferecido bênçãos de vitória, então, no momento oportuno, dirigiu-se a ele com palavras ornadas por expressões bem escolhidas. (No contexto: Uttaṅka, ao ver o rei Janamejaya—cercado de ministros e já de volta de Takṣaśilā com êxito completo—primeiro concede a bênção costumeira e depois inicia sua mensagem.)
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct in communication: one should observe propriety (yathā-nyāyam), choose the right time (kāla), and speak with well-formed, respectful words—especially when addressing a king or superior.
Uttaṅka encounters King Janamejaya after the king’s successful visit to Takṣaśilā. Before delivering his main message, Uttaṅka follows courtly and ethical protocol by first offering victory-blessings and then speaking at an appropriate moment in carefully chosen language.