Shloka 9
लुब्धक-कपोत-कपोती-आख्यानम्
The Hunter and the Pigeon Couple: Expiation and Refuge-Ethics
हृष्टे भवति सा हृष्टा दु:खिते मयि दुःखिता । प्रोषिते दीनवदना क्रुद्धे च प्रियवादिनी
hṛṣṭe bhavati sā hṛṣṭā duḥkhite mayi duḥkhitā | proṣite dīnavadanā kruddhe ca priyavādinī ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Quand j’étais joyeux, elle s’épanouissait de joie ; quand j’étais affligé, elle s’abîmait elle aussi dans la peine. Quand je devais m’éloigner, son visage devenait morne ; et lorsque la colère montait en moi, elle m’apaisait par des paroles douces et aimantes.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical ideal of intimate companionship in household life: a spouse who empathically shares joy and sorrow, remains emotionally connected during separation, and responds to anger with gentle speech that restores harmony—pointing to restraint and sweetness of words as instruments of dharma in the home.
Bhishma is describing the conduct and disposition of a woman closely connected to him (a wife/consort figure): she mirrors his emotional states, becomes visibly downcast when he is away, and pacifies his anger through affectionate, pleasing speech.