Shloka 98
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
नदन्ति परुषं श्येना: शिवा: क्रोशन्ति दारुणम् । मृगेन्द्रा: प्रतिनन्दन्ति रविरस्तं च गच्छति,इस वनमें बाज अपनी कठोर बोली बोलते हैं, सियार भयंकर आवाजमें हुआँ-हुआँ कर रहे हैं, सिंह दहाड़ रहे हैं और सूर्य अस्ताचलको जा रहे हैं
nadanti paruṣaṁ śyenāḥ śivāḥ krośanti dāruṇam | mṛgendrāḥ pratinandanti ravir astaṁ ca gacchati ||
Kền kền nói: “Diều hâu kêu thét chát chúa; chó rừng tru lên ghê rợn. Sư tử gầm vang đáp lại, và mặt trời đang chìm về phía chân trời tây. Những điềm dữ trong rừng báo tai ương sắp đến, cảnh tỉnh rằng thời khắc đang nghiêng về hiểm họa.”
गृध्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses natural portents—harsh cries of predators and the setting sun—to convey ethical vigilance: when signs of disorder and danger appear, one should become alert, restrain rash action, and prepare to act according to dharma rather than be swept away by fear or impulse.
A vulture speaks, describing the forest filled with ominous sounds—hawks, jackals, and lions—and noting that the sun is setting. The scene functions as a warning marker in the story, indicating that a perilous moment is imminent.