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:,इस प्रकार वहाँ सब दिशाओंसे पधारे हुए राजदूतों तथा अन्य सब अभ्यागतोंसे कुशल- मंगल पूछकर अन्तमें उनसे मेरा कुशल-समाचार भी निवेदन करना
evaṁ sarvān āgatābhyāgatāṁś ca rājño dūtān sarvadigbhyo 'bhyupetān | pṛṣṭvā sarvān kuśalaṁ tāṁś ca sūta paścād ahaṁ kuśalī teṣu vācyaḥ ||
“Kaya nito, matapos mong unang magtanong tungkol sa kalagayan ng lahat—yaong mga dumating at mga panauhin, mga sugo ng hari na nagmula sa bawat dako—O Sūta, saka mo sa huli ipabatid sa kanila na ako man ay nasa mabuting kalagayan.”
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.