ततो भी: प्राविशत् काक॑ तदा तत्र विचेतसम्
tato bhīḥ prāviśat kāka tadā tatra vicetasam
அப்போது அதே கணத்தில், அதே இடத்தில், பயம் காக்கைக்குள் புகுந்தது; அது கலங்கி திகைத்தது।
हंस उवाच
Fear disrupts discernment: when one is seized by bhī (fear), one becomes vicetasa (mentally unsteady), and ethical judgment and effective action collapse. The verse highlights the moral need for steadiness and self-mastery in moments of threat.
In the haṃsa’s narration, the crow is suddenly overcome by fear; right there and then it becomes confused and loses presence of mind, marking a turning point where panic replaces clarity.