Shloka 20
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
अथ सम्पूज्य तद् वाक्यं मृगेन्द्रस्य महात्मन: । गोमायु: संश्रितं वाक्यं बभाषे किंचिदानत:,महामनस्वी मृगराजके उस कथनकी भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा करके सियारने कुछ नतमस्तक होकर विनययुक्त वाणीमें कहा
atha sampūjya tad vākyaṁ mṛgendrasya mahātmanaḥ | gomāyuḥ saṁśritaṁ vākyaṁ babhāṣe kiñcid ānataḥ ||
Then, having respectfully praised those words of the great-souled lord of beasts (the lion), the jackal—bowing slightly—spoke in a humble, deferential tone.
शार्टूल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of humility and reverence toward noble, wise speech: proper conduct begins with honoring good counsel, and even a lesser or cunning character must adopt respectful restraint before true greatness.
After the lion (mṛgendra) speaks, the jackal (gomāyu) praises the lion’s words and, with a slight bow, begins to respond in a humble manner—setting up a didactic exchange framed as an animal dialogue.