Shloka 13
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
अष्टपादूर्ध्नयन: शरभो वनगोचर: । तं सिंहं हन्तुमागच्छन्मुनेस्तस्य निवेशनम्
aṣṭapādūrdhvanayanaḥ śarabho vanagocaraḥ | taṃ siṃhaṃ hantum āgacchan munes tasya niveśanam |
Wika ni Bhishma: Isang pambihirang śarabha—isang halimaw na gumagala sa gubat, may walong paa at mga matang nakatuon paitaas—ang dumating sa tahanan ng pantas, na may layuning patayin ang leon. Bilang marahas na mandaragit, naghasik ito ng takot sa mga nilalang sa kagubatan habang papalapit sa ermitanyo, at dinala ang banta ng pagdanak ng dugo sa pook na dapat sana’y para sa kapayapaan at pagpipigil-sa-sarili.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical contrast: a place of tapas and restraint (the sage’s dwelling) is threatened by unchecked हिंसा (violence). It prepares the listener to reflect on dharma as protection—how the strong should be restrained from harming the vulnerable, and how peace can be disrupted when predatory impulses dominate.
A powerful śarabha—described as eight-footed and upward-eyed—arrives in the forest and comes to the sage’s residence with the intention of killing a lion. Its approach terrifies other forest creatures, signaling imminent danger at the hermitage.