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 ||
भीष्मजी बोले—राजन्! प्रह्लाद के इस प्रकार पूछने पर लोक-धर्म के विधान को जानने वाले उस मेधावी मुनि ने प्रह्लाद से मधुर, सार्थक और यथार्थ वाणी में कहा।
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.