Shloka 77
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
उतक्तवाक्ये तु नृपती सुलभा चारुदर्शना । ततश्नारुतरं वाक््यं प्रचक्रामाथ भाषितुम्,जब राजाकी बात समाप्त हो गयी, तब परम सुन्दरी सुलभाने अत्यन्त मधुर वचनोंमें भाषण देना आरम्भ किया
uktavākye tu nṛpatau sulabhā cārudarśanā | tataḥ snigdhatarāṃ vācaṃ pracakrāmatha bhāṣitum ||
When the king had finished speaking, Sulabhā—radiant and lovely to behold—then began to speak in words even more gentle and sweet, preparing to deliver her reply with composed clarity and ethical intent.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical discourse: after a ruler’s statement, Sulabhā responds with even gentler speech, implying that truth and critique should be delivered with restraint, clarity, and non-hostile intent—especially in debates on dharma, renunciation, and kingship.
In Bhīṣma’s narration, once the king finishes his remarks, Sulabhā—described as strikingly beautiful—begins her reply, setting the stage for a reasoned, courteous counter-argument in their philosophical exchange.