तेषां कथयतां तत्र सर्वांस्ताननुमान्य च।ततो वृद्धतमस्तेषां जाम्बवान्प्रत्यभाषत।।।।
teṣāṃ kathayatāṃ tatra sarvāṃs tān anumānya ca |
tato vṛddhatamas teṣāṃ jāmbavān pratyabhāṣata ||
அவர்கள் அங்கே பேசிக்கொண்டிருக்கையில், அனைவரின் வலிமையையும் கணித்து, அவர்களில் முதியவரான ஜாம்பவான் பின்னர் பதிலளித்தான்.
When the monkeys were talking (of their individual capacity) in that manner about their speed, Jambavan the oldest of the monkeys inferred (their capacity) and said:
Dharma includes prudent evaluation: an elder assesses claims realistically so the mission proceeds on truth (satya) rather than mere boasting.
After various monkeys describe their leaping power, Jāmbavān prepares to give a measured response based on what he understands of their capacities.
Mature judgment: the elder does not react impulsively but weighs the situation before speaking.