Shloka 32
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
पानीयं वा निरायासं स्वाद्धन्नं वा भयोत्तरम् | विचार्य खलु पश्यामि तत्सुखं यत्र निर्वति:,एक जगह बिना किसी भयके केवल जल मिलता है और दूसरी जगह अन्तमें भय देनेवाला स्वादिष्ट अन्न प्राप्त होता है--इन दोनोंको यदि विचार करके मैं देखता हूँ तो मुझे वहाँ ही सुख जान पड़ता है, जहाँ कोई भय नहीं है
pānīyaṃ vā nirāyāsaṃ svādvannaṃ vā bhayottaram | vicārya khalu paśyāmi tat sukhaṃ yatra nirvṛtiḥ ||
On one side there is effortless water to drink, without fear; on the other, delicious food that ends in fear. Reflecting on the two, I see true happiness where there is no fear—where quiet contentment abides.
शार्टूल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Choose the good that is free from fear and harmful consequences over pleasures that are attractive but lead to anxiety, danger, or moral compromise; real sukha is linked with nirvṛti (peaceful contentment).
Śārṭūla presents a reflective comparison between two options—simple water obtained without trouble and delicious food that brings fear afterward—and concludes that the preferable, truly सुख (happiness) is found where there is no भय (fear).