Shloka 19
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
ततो<भ्ययान्महारीद्रो व्यादितास्य: क्षुधान्वित: । द्वीपिनं लेलिहद्क्रो व्याप्रो रुधिरलालस:
tato 'bhyayān mahārīdro vyāditāsyaḥ kṣudhānvitaḥ | dvīpinaṃ lelihad kro vyāghro rudhira-lālasaḥ ||
そののち恐怖に駆られて、巨大で凄まじい虎が—口を大きく開き、飢えに責められ血を欲して—豹を追い、走りながら顎を舐めた。この光景は、飢えと恐れが支配するとき、生きものが執拗な暴力へと突き動かされることを示し、節制ではなく卑しい衝動に支配される危うさを戒めている。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid animal chase to illustrate how fear and hunger (unrestrained impulses) can drive beings into violent, compulsive action; ethically, it points toward the value of restraint and governance of desire.
A terrifying, hungry tiger—blood-thirsty and licking its jaws—runs after a leopard/panther, emphasizing the intensity and inevitability of predatory pursuit under the pressure of hunger.