Shloka 22
Gratitude, Discernment, and the Escalation of Power (Śvā–Dvipī–Vyāghra–Nāga–Siṃha–Śarabha Itihāsa)
ततो दृष्टवा स शार्दूलो नाहनतू् तं विशाम्पते । सतुश्चा व्याप्रतां प्राप्प बलवान् पिशिताशन:
tato dṛṣṭvā sa śārdūlo nāhanat taṃ viśāṃpate | sa tu śvā vyāpratāṃ prāpya balavān piśitāśanaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: O panginoon ng bayan! Pagkaraan, nang makita ng tigre na ang kaharap ay may anyong tulad niya, hindi niya ito nagawang patayin. Ngunit ang asong nakarating sa kalagayang tigre ay naging malakas at nagsimulang kumain ng laman. Ipinahihiwatig ng pangyayaring ito na ang panlabas na pagbabago ay nakapagpapabago ng asal, at ang kapangyarihang natamo ay madaling humantong sa karahasan kung hindi pipigilin ng dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External change or newly acquired power can rapidly reshape behavior; without dharmic restraint, strength tends to drift toward violence and predation. The verse hints that true nobility lies not merely in form or power, but in self-control and ethical conduct.
A tiger sees the (formerly) dog now appearing in a tiger-like state and does not kill him. Meanwhile, the dog—having attained that powerful condition—becomes strong and begins living as a flesh-eater, adopting the predatory habits associated with the new form.