Shloka 3
Adhyāya 180: Jīva, Śarīra, and the Fire Analogy (भृगु–भरद्वाज संवादः)
चरन्तं ब्राह्मणं कज्चित् कल्पचित्तमनामयम् | पप्रच्छ राजा प्रह्मादो बुद्धिमान् बुद्धिसम्मतम्,एक सुदृढ़चित, दुःख-शोकसे रहित तथा बुद्धिसम्मत ब्राह्मणको पृथ्वीपर विचरते देख बुद्धिमान् राजा प्रह्नादने उससे इस प्रकार पूछा
bhīṣma uvāca | carantaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ kaścit kalpacittam anāmayam | papraccha rājā prahrādo buddhimān buddhisammatam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Melihat seorang brāhmaṇa mengembara di bumi—teguh tekadnya, bebas dari derita dan duka, serta berbatin tertata—raja Prahlāda yang bijaksana, menghargai kebijaksanaannya, menanyainya demikian.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wisdom is recognized by inner steadiness and freedom from agitation; therefore even a king should approach a composed, disciplined brāhmaṇa for guidance in dharma and right conduct.
Bhīṣma introduces a scene where King Prahrāda notices a serene wandering brāhmaṇa and, impressed by his evident composure and discernment, begins to question him—setting up a didactic conversation.