Shloka 17

Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)

Devanagari script

ततः श्वा द्वीपितां नीतो जाम्बूनदनिभाकृति: । चित्राड़ो विस्फुरदंष्टो वने वसति निर्भय:,तदनन्तर मुनिने कुत्तेको चीता बना दिया। उसकी आकृति सुवर्णके समान चमकने लगी। उसका सारा शरीर चितकबरा हो गया और बड़ी-बड़ी दाढ़ें चमक उठीं। अब वह निर्भय होकर वनमें रहने लगा

Transliteration

tataḥ śvā dvīpitāṃ nīto jāmbūnadanibhākṛtiḥ | citrāḍo visphuraddaṃṣṭo vane vasati nirbhayaḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “Then the dog was turned into a leopard. His form took on the sheen of Jāmbūnada-gold; his body became mottled, and his great fangs flashed. Thus transformed, he lived in the forest without fear.”

Word by Word

ततःthereafter

श्वाthe dog

द्वीपिताम्into a leopard (state/form)

नीतःwas led/was made (to become)

जाम्बूनद-निभ-आकृतिःhaving a form like gold

चित्राङ्गःwhose body is variegated/spotted

विस्फुरत्-दंष्ट्रःwhose fangs are flashing

वनेin the forest

वसतिdwells/lives

निर्भयःfearless

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

śvā (the dog)

dvīpita (leopard)

vana (forest)

Jāmbūnada (gold)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Fearlessness gained through external change (strength, status, form) is unstable; the narrative invites reflection on seeking lasting security through inner discipline and right understanding rather than mere outward empowerment.

What is happening in the narrative?

A dog is transformed into a leopard by a sage’s agency; its body becomes spotted, its fangs shine, and it now lives in the forest without fear—marking a shift from vulnerability to apparent power.