Shloka 196
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
विज्ञाय स महाप्राज्ञो मुनि: श्वानं तमुक्तवान् | ज्ञाननेत्रोंसे युक्त उन मुनीश्वरने अपनी तपःशक्तिसे शरभके उस मनोभावको जान लिया। जानकर उन महाज्ञानी मुनिने उस कुत्तेसे कहा--
vijñāya sa mahāprājño muniḥ śvānaṃ tam uktavān |
قال بهيشما: لما أدرك الأمرَ ذلك الموني شديدُ الحكمة خاطب الكلب. وقد كان مزوّدًا بعين المعرفة، فأبصر—بقوة تَپَس (الزهد والرياضة الروحية)—ما انطوى عليه المخلوق من نيةٍ باطنة؛ فلما علمها على وجه اليقين، قال للكلب.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True discernment (jñāna) is shown not merely by knowing facts but by perceiving inner motives and responding with guidance that steers a being toward dharma; the sage uses insight born of tapas to correct and instruct rather than react blindly.
Bhīṣma narrates that a highly wise sage, having understood the dog’s inner intention, addresses it directly—setting up a moral instruction where spiritual insight reveals hidden mental states and prompts ethical counsel.