Shloka 19
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
तथेमे गर्जिता नागा: स्वयूथकुलशोभिता: । घर्मा्तास्वां समासाद्य सुखं विन्दन्ति शाल्मले,'शाल्मले! अपने यूथकुलसे सुशोभित ये गर्जना करते हुए गजराज धूपसे पीड़ित हो तुम्हारे पास आकर सुख पाते हैं
tatheme garjitā nāgāḥ svayūthakulaśobhitāḥ | gharmārtāstvāṃ samāsādya sukhaṃ vindanti śālmale ||
Bhishma berkata: “Demikian pula gajah-gajah perkasa ini, bersuara menggelegar dan dimuliakan oleh keindahan kawanan serta garis keturunan mereka; ketika tersiksa oleh panas, mereka datang kepadamu, wahai Śālmali, dan memperoleh keteduhan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of being a refuge: just as creatures distressed by heat seek shelter and comfort, a righteous protector (implicitly a king or guardian) should provide relief and safety to those who come seeking help.
Bhishma uses a vivid natural image: herd-leading elephants, suffering from the sun’s heat, approach the Śālmali tree and find comfort there. The image supports a broader ethical point about offering shelter and protection.