Shloka 3
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
त॑ दृष्टवा कुण्जरं मत्तमायान्तं बलगर्वितम् । व्याप्रो हस्तिभयात् त्रस्तस्तमृषिं शरणं ययौ,उस बलाभिमानी मदोनन््मत्त गजराजको आते देख वह बाघ भयभीत हो पुनः ऋषिकी शरणमें गया
taṁ dṛṣṭvā kuñjaraṁ mattam āyāntaṁ balagarvitam | vyāghro hastibhayāt trastas tam ṛṣiṁ śaraṇaṁ yayau ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Nang makita ang isang elepanteng nagngangalit sa pagkalasing ng rut at namamaga sa pagmamataas ng lakas na papalapit, ang tigre—nanginginig sa takot sa elepante—ay muling nagtungo sa pantas na iyon upang humingi ng kanlungan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and aggression (symbolized by the rut-maddened, strength-proud elephant) create fear, but the dharmic response is to seek rightful refuge and protection rather than escalate violence. The verse points to the moral authority of the sage as a shelter superior to brute force.
A tiger sees a powerful, rut-maddened elephant approaching. Overcome by fear, the tiger retreats and goes again to a sage, taking shelter with him for protection.