Shloka 48
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
मन्त्रीपदपर आते समय सियारने यह शर्त करा ली थी कि राजन! यदि आप मुझसे मैत्री चाहते हैं तो किसीके बहकावेमें आकर मेरा विनाश न कर डालियेगा ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | kṣudhitasya mṛgendrasya bhoktum abhyutthitasya ca | bhojanāyopahartavyaṃ tan māṃsaṃ nopadṛśyate ||
भीष्म उवाच। क्षुधितस्य मृगेन्द्रस्य भोक्तुमभ्युत्थितस्य च। भोजनायोपहर्तव्यं तन्मांसं नोपदृश्यते॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must not allow rightful support and trust to be undermined; when what is due is withheld (like food from a hungry lion), the resulting frustration can trigger disorder and harm. The verse cautions against betrayal, negligence, and being swayed by bad counsel.
Bhishma uses a vivid metaphor: a hungry lion rises to eat, but the meat meant to be served is not found. The image functions as a moral illustration within Bhishma’s instruction on governance and ethical conduct.