Shloka 9
Adhyāya 180: Jīva, Śarīra, and the Fire Analogy (भृगु–भरद्वाज संवादः)
भीष्म उवाच अनुयुक्त: स मेधावी लोकधर्मविधानवित् । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रह्मादमनपार्थया
bhīṣma uvāca | anuyuktaḥ sa medhāvī lokadharmavidhānavit | uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā prahrādam anapārthayā ||
ভীষ্ম ক’লে—ৰাজন! প্ৰহ্লাদে এইদৰে সোধাত, লোকধৰ্মৰ বিধান-জ্ঞ সেই মেধাৱী মুনিয়ে প্ৰহ্লাদক কোমল, অৰ্থবহ আৰু যথাযথ বাক্যৰে এইদৰে উত্তৰ দিলে।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical instruction: true guidance on dharma should be delivered with gentleness and with purposeful, relevant speech by one who understands the practical rules of social conduct (loka-dharma).
Bhishma narrates that after Prahrada asks a question, a wise sage knowledgeable in worldly dharma responds to him in a calm, sweet, and meaningful manner, setting up the forthcoming teaching.