Shloka 11
Adhyāya 118: Saciva-parīkṣā
Testing and Appointment of Ministers/Servants
तद्धयात् पशवो नान्ये तपोवनसमीपत: । व्यदृश्यन्त तदा त्रस्ता जीविताकांक्षिणस्तथा,उसके भयसे जंगलके दूसरे पशु डर गये और अपनी जान बचानेकी इच्छासे तपोवनके समीप कभी नहीं दिखायी दिये
taddhayāt paśavo nānye tapovanasamīpataḥ | vyadṛśyanta tadā trastā jīvitākāṅkṣiṇas tathā ||
اس کے خوف سے تپوون کے قریب کوئی اور جانور دکھائی نہ دیتا تھا۔ سب دہشت زدہ ہو کر، جان بچانے کی آرزو میں، اس کے آس پاس سے دور رہتے تھے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear disrupts the natural order around a sacred hermitage: when danger arises, even innocent creatures abandon the tapovana to protect their lives, implying that a dharmic space depends on safety and restraint from harm.
Bhishma describes a situation where, due to some threatening presence or event, the other forest animals become terrified and therefore stop appearing near the tapovana, staying away in their desire to survive.