Shloka 74
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
शार्दूलस्तं तु गोमायुं स्नेहात् प्रोत्फुल्ललोचन: । अवारयत् स धर्मिष्ठ पूजया प्रतिपूजयन्,शेरने धर्मात्मा गीदडड़का भलीभाँति आदर-सत्कार करके उसे उपवाससे रोक दिया। उस समय उसके नेत्र स्नेहसे खिल उठे थे
śārdūlas taṃ tu gomāyuṃ snehāt protphullalocanaḥ | avārayat sa dharmiṣṭhaḥ pūjayā pratipūjayan |
शार्दूलस्तं तु गोमायुं स्नेहात् प्रोत्फुल्ललोचनः । अवारयत् स धर्मिष्ठः पूजया प्रतिपूजयन् ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is shown as compassionate discernment: one should honor sincerity, but also prevent harmful or misguided austerity; righteousness includes protecting life and responding to devotion with appropriate care.
A jackal intends to undertake a fast; the tiger, moved by affection, welcomes him respectfully and dissuades him from the fast, reciprocating honor with honor while acting as the more discerning guardian.