Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
ततो<भ्ययान्महावीर्यों द्वीपी क्षजभोजन: । स्वार्थमत्यन्तसंतुष्ट: क्रूरकाल इवान्तक:
tato 'bhyayān mahāvīryo dvīpī kṣajabhojanaḥ | svārtham atyantasaṃtuṣṭaḥ krūrakāla ivāntakaḥ ||
তাৰ পাছত এদিন এক মহাবলী, মাংসাহাৰী চিতা নিজৰ লাভত অত্যন্ত সন্তুষ্ট হৈ সেই কুকুৰটোক ধৰিবলৈ সেই দিশে ধাৱমান হৈ আহিল—নিষ্ঠুৰ কালৰ দৰে, মৃত্যুৰ দৰে।
भीष्म उवाच
The verse uses the leopard’s eager, self-satisfied advance—likened to Time and Death—to highlight how unchecked self-interest and cruelty can become a force of inevitable destruction, urging vigilance and restraint in ethical conduct.
A powerful flesh-eating leopard rushes forward, delighted by its prospective gain, moving like an embodiment of ruthless Time or Death, intending to seize the dog mentioned in the surrounding story.