Shloka 13
Adhyāya 222 — ब्रह्मस्थानप्राप्ति: मोक्षधर्मे समत्वव्रतम्
Attaining the Brahman-Station: The Vow of Equanimity in Mokṣadharma
इति संचोदितस्तेन धीरो निश्चितनिश्चय: । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा स्वां प्रज्ञामनुवर्णयन्
iti saṃcoditas tena dhīro niścita-niścayaḥ | uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā svāṃ prajñām anūvarṇayan ||
Thus urged by him, the steadfast sage—firm in his settled conviction about the highest reality—spoke in gentle, refined words, describing the nature of his own understanding. In response to Indra’s questioning, Prahlāda, possessed of resolute intelligence and certainty regarding the Supreme, began to articulate his knowledge with measured sweetness of speech.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and spiritual ideal of speaking from settled inner certainty: true wisdom (prajñā) is expressed with composure (dhīra) and gentle speech (ślakṣṇā vāc), especially when explaining the highest truth.
Indra has questioned or prompted the speaker; in response, Prahlāda—described as resolute and certain about the Supreme reality—begins to speak, calmly and sweetly, explaining his understanding. Bhīṣma reports this within the Shānti Parva discourse.