Shloka 153
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
मुने: पार्श्वगतो नित्यं शरभ: सुखमाप्तवान् । इस प्रकार मुनिने उस कुत्तेको उस समय शरभके स्थानमें प्रतिष्ठित कर दिया। वह शरभ प्रतिदिन मुनिके पास सुखसे रहने लगा
muneḥ pārśvagato nityaṁ śarabhaḥ sukham āptavān |
Wika ni Bhishma: Sa palagiang pananatili sa tabi ng pantas, namuhay si śarabha nang may ginhawa. Kaya noong sandaling iyon, itinalaga ng pantas ang aso sa kalagayan at katayuan ng isang śarabha; at bilang śarabha, araw-araw itong namuhay nang masaya malapit sa pantas—na nagpapakita ng kapangyarihang magtanggol ng bisa ng pag-aayuno at pagninilay, at ng tungkuling etikal na magbigay ng kanlungan at kaligtasan sa sinumang humihingi nito.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as protection and compassionate refuge: a sage uses spiritual power not for harm but to secure safety and well-being for a vulnerable being, showing that true ascetic merit supports ethical care.
A sage has placed a dog into the condition of a śarabha (a stronger form) to protect it; thereafter the śarabha stays continually near the sage and lives comfortably.