Shloka 18
Karṇa–Sūrya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dāna, and the Amoghā Śakti (कर्ण–सूर्यसंवादः)
इ्धितज्ञास्ततो भर्तुश्न॒त्वारो रजनीचरा: । चतुर्ष्वज्रेषु जगृहुः शार्टूलमिव पक्षिण:,तब स्वामीके संकेतको समझनेवाले चार निशाचर अपनी जगहसे उठे और जिस प्रकार पक्षी सिंहको पकड़े, उसी प्रकार वे अंगदके चार अंगोंको पकड़ने लगे
iddhitajñās tato bhartuḥ saṃketaṃ catvāro rajanīcarāḥ | caturṣv aṅgeṣu jagṛhuḥ śārdūlam iva pakṣiṇaḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya nói: Rồi bốn kẻ lang thang trong đêm, thạo hiểu hiệu lệnh của chủ, đứng bật dậy và chộp lấy hắn ở cả bốn chi—như bầy chim quắp chặt một con hổ.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined coordination and obedience—valuable qualities in themselves—become ethically problematic when directed toward unjust aggression. Skill in reading a leader’s signal can serve dharma or adharma depending on the intent and target.
Four nocturnal beings, understanding their master’s cue, rise and collectively seize the victim by the four limbs. The poet intensifies the image with a simile: like birds clutching a tiger, they grip firmly and in concert.