Shloka 9
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
स ततः: सिंहतां नीतो नागेन््द्रो मुनिना तदा । वन्यं नागणयत् सिंहं तुल्यजातिसमन्वयात्,तब मुनिने उस गजराजको सिंह बना दिया। अब वह समान जातिके सम्बन्धसे जंगली सिंहको कुछ भी नहीं गिनता था
sa tataḥ siṁhatāṁ nīto nāgendro muninā tadā | vanyaṁ nāgaṇayat siṁhaṁ tulyajātisamanvayāt ||
Bhishma disse: “Então, naquele momento, o sábio transformou o senhor dos elefantes em um leão. Tendo adquirido parentesco com uma espécie igual, já não considerou o leão selvagem como algo de importância.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A change in external status or identity can breed arrogance: once the elephant becomes a lion, he dismisses other lions due to a sense of equal rank. The verse cautions that association with a higher or equal station should not become a cause for contempt toward others.
A sage transforms a great elephant into a lion. After the transformation, the newly made lion, feeling aligned with the lion’s species, no longer respects or fears the wild lion, treating it as insignificant.