Shloka 5
Cavana’s Tests of Kuśika and the Queen (अध्याय ५३: च्यवन–कुशिक-परिक्षा)
आदधत् सर्वभूतेषु विश्रम्भं॑ परमं शुभम् | जलेचरेषु सर्वेषु शीतरश्मिरिव प्रभु:
ādadhat sarvabhūteṣu viśrambhaṃ paramaṃ śubham | jalecareṣu sarveṣu śītarāśmir iva prabhuḥ ||
आदधत् सर्वभूतेषु विश्रम्भं परमं शुभम् । जलेचरेषु सर्वेषु शीतरश्मिरिव प्रभुः ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral authority is shown not by fear or domination but by the ability to create safety and trust in others; the truly virtuous and powerful person becomes a cooling, protective presence—like the moon—especially to the vulnerable.
Bhishma describes a mighty sage whose conduct made all beings, particularly aquatic creatures, feel complete confidence in him; the verse uses the moon’s cool rays as an image for his calming, beneficent influence.