Shloka 9
लुब्धक-कपोत-कपोती-आख्यानम्
The Hunter and the Pigeon Couple: Expiation and Refuge-Ethics
हृष्टे भवति सा हृष्टा दु:खिते मयि दुःखिता । प्रोषिते दीनवदना क्रुद्धे च प्रियवादिनी
hṛṣṭe bhavati sā hṛṣṭā duḥkhite mayi duḥkhitā | proṣite dīnavadanā kruddhe ca priyavādinī ||
毗湿摩说道：“我喜则她亦喜，灿然如花；我忧则她亦忧，沉入哀苦。我要远行时，她面容凄楚；而我怒起之际，她以柔和亲爱的言辞抚慰，使我平息。”
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.