Shloka 9
हृष्टे भवति सा हृष्टा दु:खिते मयि दुःखिता । प्रोषिते दीनवदना क्रुद्धे च प्रियवादिनी,“मेरे प्रसन्न रहनेपर वह हर्षसे खिल उठती थी और मेरे दुखी होनेपर वह स्वयं भी दुःखमें डूब जाती थी। जब मैं बाहर जाने लगता तो उसके मुखपर दीनता छा जाती थी और जब कभी मुझे क्रोध आता, तब मीठी-मीठी बातें करके शान्त कर देती थी
hṛṣṭe bhavati sā hṛṣṭā duḥkhite mayi duḥkhitā | proṣite dīnavadanā kruddhe ca priyavādinī ||
हृष्टे भवति सा हृष्टा दुःखिते मयि दुःखिता । प्रोषिते दीनवदना क्रुद्धे च प्रियवादिनी ॥
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.