Shloka 3
अध्याय 24 — संजयस्य शमोपदेशः
Sanjaya’s Counsel Toward Conciliation
पज्चालानामधिपं चैव वृद्ध धृष्टय्युम्नं पार्षत॑ याज्ञसेनिम् । सर्वे वाच॑ शृणुतेमां मदीयां वक्ष्यामि यां भूतिमिच्छन् कुरूणाम्
sañjaya uvāca | pāñcālānām adhipaṃ caiva vṛddhaṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ pārṣataṃ yājñasenim | sarve vācaṃ śṛṇutemāṃ madīyāṃ vakṣyāmi yāṃ bhūtim icchan kurūṇām ||
पाञ्चालानामधिपं चैव वृद्धं धृष्टद्युम्नं पार्षतं याज्ञसेनिम् । सर्वे वाचः शृणुत मे मां मदीयां वक्ष्यामि यां भूतिमिच्छन् कुरूणाम् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames speech as ethically accountable: one should speak with the intention of bhūti—welfare and flourishing—especially when addressing political conflict. It emphasizes counsel aimed at the common good rather than factional gain.
Sañjaya reports a summons/invitation that includes the Pāñcāla leadership—particularly the elder ruler Drupada and his son Dhṛṣṭadyumna—and announces that he will speak words intended for the welfare of the Kurus, setting a diplomatic, advisory tone in the lead-up to hostilities.