Shloka 10
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
दृष्टवा च सो5भवत् सिंहो वन्यो भयसमन्वित: । स चाश्रमे5वसत् सिंहस्तस्मिन्नेव महावने,उसे देखकर जंगली सिंह स्वयं ही डर गया। वह सिंह बना हुआ कुत्ता महावनमें उसी आश्रममें रहने लगा
dṛṣṭvā ca so 'bhavat siṁho vanyo bhayasamanvitaḥ | sa cāśrame 'vasat siṁhas tasminn eva mahāvane ||
اسے دیکھ کر جنگلی شیر خود خوف سے بھر گیا۔ اور وہ شیر (جو روپ دھار چکا تھا) اسی گھنے جنگل میں، اسی آشرم میں رہنے لگا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear and power are not fixed; they can shift with circumstance and perception. The verse underscores how outward conditions (or a changed form/role within a story) can invert expected hierarchies, inviting reflection on steadiness, discernment, and the ethical consequences of acting from fear.
A wild lion sees someone/something and becomes frightened. Contrary to expectation, the lion does not dominate but instead remains living near the hermitage within the great forest, indicating a reversal of the usual predator’s confidence and setting up a moral point about fear and conduct.