Shloka 3
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
त॑ दृष्टवा कुण्जरं मत्तमायान्तं बलगर्वितम् । व्याप्रो हस्तिभयात् त्रस्तस्तमृषिं शरणं ययौ,उस बलाभिमानी मदोनन््मत्त गजराजको आते देख वह बाघ भयभीत हो पुनः ऋषिकी शरणमें गया
taṁ dṛṣṭvā kuñjaraṁ mattam āyāntaṁ balagarvitam | vyāghro hastibhayāt trastas tam ṛṣiṁ śaraṇaṁ yayau ||
Bhishma said: Seeing a rut-maddened elephant approaching, swollen with the pride of strength, the tiger—terrified by fear of the elephant—went again to that sage for refuge.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and aggression (symbolized by the rut-maddened, strength-proud elephant) create fear, but the dharmic response is to seek rightful refuge and protection rather than escalate violence. The verse points to the moral authority of the sage as a shelter superior to brute force.
A tiger sees a powerful, rut-maddened elephant approaching. Overcome by fear, the tiger retreats and goes again to a sage, taking shelter with him for protection.