Shloka 11
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
तद्धयात् पशवो नान्ये तपोवनसमीपत: । व्यदृश्यन्त तदा त्रस्ता जीविताकांक्षिणस्तथा,उसके भयसे जंगलके दूसरे पशु डर गये और अपनी जान बचानेकी इच्छासे तपोवनके समीप कभी नहीं दिखायी दिये
taddhayāt paśavo nānye tapovanasamīpataḥ | vyadṛśyanta tadā trastā jīvitākāṅkṣiṇas tathā ||
तद्भयात् पशवो नान्ये तपोवनसमीपतः । व्यदृश्यन्त तदा त्रस्ता जीविताकाङ्क्षिणस्तथा ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear disrupts the natural order around a sacred hermitage: when danger arises, even innocent creatures abandon the tapovana to protect their lives, implying that a dharmic space depends on safety and restraint from harm.
Bhishma describes a situation where, due to some threatening presence or event, the other forest animals become terrified and therefore stop appearing near the tapovana, staying away in their desire to survive.