Shloka 8
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
दत्त्वा च ते सुखप्रश्न॑ सर्वे यान्ति यथागतम् । ग्राम्यस्त्वेक: पशूस्तत्रनाजहात् स महामुनिम्,वे सब जानवर ऋषिसे उनका कुशल-समाचार पूछकर जैसे आते, वैसे लौट जाते थे; परंतु एक ग्रामीण कुत्ता वहाँ उन महामुनिको छोड़कर कहीं नहीं जाता था
dattvā ca te sukhapraśnaṁ sarve yānti yathāgatam | grāmyas tv ekaḥ paśus tatra nājahāt sa mahāmunim ||
وبعد أن قدّموا سؤالهم المهذّب عن عافيته، انصرف سائرهم كما جاءوا. غير أنّ حيوانًا قرويًّا واحدًا—كلبَ قرية—لم يفارق ذلك الموني العظيم قطّ، بل ظلّ ملازمًا له على الدوام.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast loyalty and sincere attachment: while many offer formal courtesies and move on, true devotion is shown by remaining constant and not abandoning the worthy—here exemplified by the village dog’s unwavering presence with the sage.
Bhishma describes a scene where visitors approach a great sage, ask after his welfare, and then leave; unlike them, a single rustic animal (a village dog) stays with the sage and does not depart.