Shloka 15
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
स मुनिस्तस्य विज्ञाय भावज्ञों भयकारणम् | रुतज्ञ: सर्वसत्त्वानां तमैश्वर्यसमन्वित:
sa munis tasya vijñāya bhāvajño bhayakāraṇam | rutajñaḥ sarvasattvānāṃ tam aiśvaryasamanvitaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : Ce sage, discernant la cause de la peur du chien—car il connaissait les dispositions intérieures et comprenait les sons et la parole de tous les êtres—et pourvu de puissance ascétique, s’adressa à lui après avoir reconnu ce qui l’avait effrayé.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral authority is shown through empathetic discernment: the sage first understands the cause of fear and the being’s inner state, then responds appropriately—an ethical model of compassion and wise speech.
A powerful sage, capable of understanding the feelings and speech of all creatures, recognizes why a dog is afraid and then speaks to it, setting up a compassionate intervention.