Shloka 13
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
अष्टपादूर्ध्नयन: शरभो वनगोचर: । तं सिंहं हन्तुमागच्छन्मुनेस्तस्य निवेशनम्
aṣṭapādūrdhvanayanaḥ śarabho vanagocaraḥ | taṃ siṃhaṃ hantum āgacchan munes tasya niveśanam |
قال بهيشما: جاء شَرَبَه (śarabha) عجيبٌ، وحشٌ يجوب الغابة له ثماني قوائم وعيونٌ متجهة إلى أعلى، إلى مسكن الناسك قاصدًا قتل ذلك الأسد. وكان مفترسًا عنيفًا يبثّ الرعب في قلوب مخلوقات الغاب وهو يقترب من المحبسة، حاملاً تهديد سفك الدماء إلى موضعٍ أُريد له السِّلم وضبط النفس.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical contrast: a place of tapas and restraint (the sage’s dwelling) is threatened by unchecked हिंसा (violence). It prepares the listener to reflect on dharma as protection—how the strong should be restrained from harming the vulnerable, and how peace can be disrupted when predatory impulses dominate.
A powerful śarabha—described as eight-footed and upward-eyed—arrives in the forest and comes to the sage’s residence with the intention of killing a lion. Its approach terrifies other forest creatures, signaling imminent danger at the hermitage.