Shloka 12
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
लेलिहा[मानस्तृषित: पुच्छास्फोटनतत्पर: । व्यादितास्य: क्षुधाभुग्न: प्रार्थयानस्तदामिषम्
lelihāmānas tṛṣitaḥ pucchāsphoṭana-tatparaḥ | vyāditāsyaḥ kṣudhābhugnaḥ prārthayānas tadāmiṣam ||
भीष्म बोले—वह प्यास से व्याकुल होकर बार-बार जीभ फेरता, पूँछ पटकने में तत्पर रहता; मुँह फाड़े हुए, भूख से दुर्बल पड़ा, उस मांस के टुकड़े की याचना करता रहा।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how acute hunger and thirst can drive a being into pleading and submissive behavior, setting up an ethical reflection in Śānti Parva on compassion, restraint, and the moral weight of exploiting another’s desperation.
Bhishma describes a creature (implicitly an animal) in a pitiable state—thirsty, hungry, mouth open, tail wagging—begging for a piece of meat, as part of a larger illustrative episode used to teach dharma.