Shloka 46
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
एवं सर्वानागताभ्यागतांश्ष॒ राज्ञो दूतान् सर्वदिग्भ्यो<्भ्युपेतान् । पृष्टवा सर्वान् कुशल तांश्व सूत पश्चादहं कुशली तेषु वाच्य:
evaṁ sarvān āgatābhyāgatāṁś ca rājño dūtān sarvadigbhyo 'bhyupetān | pṛṣṭvā sarvān kuśalaṁ tāṁś ca sūta paścād ahaṁ kuśalī teṣu vācyaḥ ||
एवं सर्वानागताभ्यागतांश्च राज्ञो दूतान् सर्वदिग्भ्योऽभ्युपेतान् । पृष्ट्वा सर्वान् कुशलं तांश्च सूत पश्चादहं कुशली तेषु वाच्यः ॥
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharmic etiquette in diplomacy: one should first honor and inquire after the welfare of guests and envoys—especially those arriving from many regions—before speaking of oneself. It models humility, prioritizing others’ well-being, and maintaining courteous statecraft.
Yudhiṣṭhira instructs Sūta on how to address visiting royal envoys and other arrivals: greet them properly by asking about their welfare, and only afterward convey Yudhiṣṭhira’s own well-being as a concluding message.