Shloka 20
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
व्याप्रं दृष्टवा क्षुधाभुग्नं देष्टिणं वनगोचरम् । दडीपी जीवितरक्षार्थमृषिं शरणमेयिवान्
vyāghraṁ dṛṣṭvā kṣudhābhugnaṁ deṣṭiṇaṁ vanagocaram | dadīpī jīvitarakṣārtham ṛṣiṁ śaraṇam eyivān ||
ビーシュマは言った。「飢えで衰え、心が残虐へと傾いた森をさまよう虎を見て、豹は命を守らんとして、再び聖仙のもとへ避難した。」この段は、危難と捕食が迫るとき、強き者でさえ驕りを捨て、ダルマの庇護と守りのもとへ帰ることを示す。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When threatened by violence and predation, one should seek śaraṇa (right refuge) and protection through dharma rather than respond with further harm; even powerful beings recognize the moral authority of a righteous protector.
A leopard sees a hungry, hostile tiger roaming the forest and, fearing for its life, returns to the sage it had approached earlier, seeking sanctuary and safety.