Shloka 21
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
संवासजं परं स्नेहमृषिणा कुर्वता तदा । स द्वीपी व्याप्रतां नीतो रिपू्णां बलवत्तर:
saṃvāsajaṃ paraṃ sneham ṛṣiṇā kurvatā tadā | sa dvīpī vyāpratāṃ nīto ripūṇāṃ balavattaraḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「そのとき仙人は、共に住むことから生じた最上の情愛を保ちつつ、豹を虎へと変じさせ、敵に対していよいよ強大ならしめた。」この偈は、親密な交わりと継続する養いが性向と力を変えうること、すなわち育みと関係が生得の傾きを有効な行いへ導き得るという倫理の戒めを示す。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Close, sustained association (saṃvāsa) and genuine affection (sneha) can reshape behavior and capacity; nurture and guidance can awaken strength and purposeful action, even in a being with fierce instincts.
Bhīṣma describes a sage who, by maintaining deep companionship-born affection, brings a leopard into active exertion; as a result, it becomes more formidable against its enemies—illustrating transformation through care and proximity.