Shloka 31

Kṛṣṇa’s Departure, Auspicious Omens, and the Opening of the Uttaṅka Dialogue (कृष्णप्रयाण-निमित्त-उत्तङ्कसंवाद-प्रारम्भः)

Devanagari script

क्षत्तारं चापि संगृहा पृष्टत्वा कुशलमव्ययम्‌

Transliteration

kṣattāraṃ cāpi saṃgṛhya pṛṣṭvā kuśalam avyayam

Translation

Vaiśampāyana nói: Ông cũng tiến đến, nắm lấy vị quan coi nội thất (chamberlain) và hỏi thăm phúc an bền vững của người ấy—rằng mọi sự có yên ổn, không hề tổn hại chăng. Câu này phản chiếu lễ nghĩa theo dharma: trước hết hỏi an lành của người khác rồi mới nói đến việc của mình.

Word by Word

• क्षत्तारम्: the chamberlain/attendant (kṣattā)
• क्षत्तारम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्तृ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि

• संगृह्य: having taken/received (having gathered)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-ग्रह्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• पृष्ट्वा: having asked
• Type: Verb
• Root: पृच्छ्
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)

• कुशलम्: welfare/well-being
• कुशलम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशल
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अव्ययम्: undiminished/unchanged; safe
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• kṣattṛ (chamberlain/attendant)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: one should begin interactions by respectfully inquiring into another’s welfare, signaling goodwill and non-harm before pursuing one’s own aims.

What is happening in the narrative?

A figure (implied from context) approaches the court officer (kṣattṛ) and first asks about his well-being—an opening gesture of respect and reassurance that all is safe and in order.