Shloka 8
अध्याय १२८: शिव–उमा संवादः — तिलोत्तमा, श्मशान-मेध्यता, तथा चातुर्वर्ण्य-धर्मः
Chapter 128: Śiva–Umā Dialogue—Tilottamā, the Ritual Valence of the Śmaśāna, and the Fourfold Duty-Code
मुहूर्तमथ संचिन्त्य ब्राह्मणस्तस्य रक्षस: । आभिर्गाथाभिरव्यग्र: प्रश्न प्रतिजगाद ह
muhūrtam atha sañcintya brāhmaṇas tasya rakṣasaḥ | ābhir gāthābhir avyagraḥ praśnaṃ pratijagāda ha ||
हे ऐकून ब्राह्मणाने थोडा वेळ विचार केला; मग अव्यग्र व शांतचित्त होऊन या गाथांद्वारे त्या राक्षसाच्या प्रश्नाचे उत्तर देऊ लागला.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint: before responding—especially under pressure—one should reflect briefly and speak with composure. Thoughtful, undisturbed speech is presented as a mark of dharmic conduct.
Bhīṣma narrates that a brāhmaṇa, after pausing to think, begins answering a rākṣasa’s question using metrical verses (gāthās), indicating a deliberate and calm reply rather than an impulsive reaction.