Shloka 3
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
प्रज्ञया प्रापितार्थों हि बलिरैश्वलूर्यसंक्षये । प्रह्यादो नमुचिर्मड्किस्तस्या: कि विद्यते परम्
prajñayā prāpitārtho hi balir aiśvarya-saṅkṣaye | prahlādo namucir maṅkis tasyāḥ ki vidyate param ||
ビーシュマは言った。「まことに、バリは王権が衰えたとき、智慧によって目的を取り戻した。プラフラーダ、ナムチ、マンキーもまた、識別の力によってそれぞれの願いを成し遂げた。この世で知性に勝るものがあろうか。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wisdom (prajñā)—clear discernment and intelligent strategy grounded in right understanding—is presented as the highest practical power: it enables one to recover lost standing, accomplish aims, and navigate adversity better than mere external resources.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct and statecraft, Bhishma cites exemplary figures—Bali, Prahlada, Namuci, and Maṅki—to argue that even when wealth or sovereignty declines, a person can still achieve success through intelligence and sound judgment.