Shloka 73
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
अनुज्ञाप्य मृगेन्द्रं तु गोमायुर्नीतिशास्त्रवित् । तेनामर्षेण संतप्त: प्रायमासितुमैच्छत,तत्पश्चात् नीतिशास्त्रके ज्ञाता सियारने मृगरगाजकी आज्ञा लेकर अमर्षसे संतप्त हो उपवास करके प्राण त्याग देनेका विचार किया
anujñāpya mṛgendraṃ tu gomāyur nītiśāstravit | tenāmarṣeṇa saṃtaptaḥ prāyam āsitum aicchat ||
Bhishma said: Having obtained leave from the lord of beasts (the lion), the jackal—skilled in the science of polity—was scorched by resentment. Overcome by that indignation, he wished to undertake prāya (a fast unto death), thinking of giving up his life.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Learning in nīti (ethical and political wisdom) is incomplete without inner discipline; resentment (amarṣa) can overpower reason and push one toward harmful extremes like self-destruction. The verse implicitly upholds self-mastery as a key component of dharma.
A jackal, described as knowledgeable in nīti-śāstra, takes leave of the lion (mṛgendra). Burning with indignation, he considers undertaking prāya—fasting unto death—as a response to his wounded pride/resentment.