Shloka 8
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
दत्त्वा च ते सुखप्रश्न॑ सर्वे यान्ति यथागतम् । ग्राम्यस्त्वेक: पशूस्तत्रनाजहात् स महामुनिम्
dattvā ca te sukhapraśnaṁ sarve yānti yathāgatam | grāmyas tv ekaḥ paśus tatra nājahāt sa mahāmunim ||
Après avoir formulé leur courtoise demande de ses nouvelles, tous les autres s’en allaient comme ils étaient venus. Mais là, un animal rustique — un chien de village — ne quittait nullement ce grand sage, demeurant constamment à ses côtés.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast loyalty and sincere attachment: while many offer formal courtesies and move on, true devotion is shown by remaining constant and not abandoning the worthy—here exemplified by the village dog’s unwavering presence with the sage.
Bhishma describes a scene where visitors approach a great sage, ask after his welfare, and then leave; unlike them, a single rustic animal (a village dog) stays with the sage and does not depart.