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 ||
毗湿摩说道：“确实如此：当巴利的王权衰落之时，他凭智慧又重得其所求。普罗诃罗陀、那牟支与曼奇也都以辨识之力成就各自的目的。在这世间，还有什么高过智慧？”
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.