Shloka 2
Adhyāya 20 — Rājadharma Argument for Paternal Inheritance and Timely Conciliation
सर्व कौशल्यमुक्त्वा55दौ पृष्टवा चैवमनामयम् । सर्वसेनाप्रणेतृणां मध्ये वाक्यमुवाच ह,उन्होंने पहले (अपने पक्षके लोगोंका) सारा कुशलसमाचार बताकर धूृतराष्ट्र आदिके स्वास्थ्यका समाचार पूछा, फिर सम्पूर्ण सेनानायकोंके समक्ष इस प्रकार कहा--
sarva-kauśalyam uktvā pr̥ṣṭvā caivam anāmayam | sarva-senā-praṇetr̥ṇāṁ madhye vākyam uvāca ha ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Matapos munang ihatid ang lahat ng pagbati ng kagalingan, at saka magtanong nang may paggalang tungkol sa kanilang kalusugan at pagiging ligtas sa karamdaman, nagsalita siya sa gitna ng lahat ng mga pinunong-militar. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang kaugalian ng korte: kahit mabigat ang usaping pampulitika, sinisimulan pa rin ito sa magalang na pangungumusta, bago talakayin ang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa pananagutang pangkalahatan at sa nalalapit na tunggalian.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when the subject is politically charged and war-oriented, dhārmic conduct begins with respect, welfare-inquiry, and measured speech. The verse models a norm of ethical communication: establish goodwill and acknowledge others’ well-being before delivering consequential counsel.
After exchanging formal courtesies—reporting general welfare and asking about the elders’ health—the speaker (contextually an envoy/counsellor figure) addresses the assembled military leadership, indicating a transition from polite preliminaries to a serious public statement before the commanders.