Shloka 19
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
तथेमे गर्जिता नागा: स्वयूथकुलशोभिता: । घर्मा्तास्वां समासाद्य सुखं विन्दन्ति शाल्मले,'शाल्मले! अपने यूथकुलसे सुशोभित ये गर्जना करते हुए गजराज धूपसे पीड़ित हो तुम्हारे पास आकर सुख पाते हैं
tatheme garjitā nāgāḥ svayūthakulaśobhitāḥ | gharmārtāstvāṃ samāsādya sukhaṃ vindanti śālmale ||
毗湿摩说道：“同样，这些雄壮的大象，长鸣震响，因其群族与血脉之荣而显赫——当酷热所逼，它们便来到你这里，噢，娑罗摩梨（Śālmali），并得清凉安慰。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of being a refuge: just as creatures distressed by heat seek shelter and comfort, a righteous protector (implicitly a king or guardian) should provide relief and safety to those who come seeking help.
Bhishma uses a vivid natural image: herd-leading elephants, suffering from the sun’s heat, approach the Śālmali tree and find comfort there. The image supports a broader ethical point about offering shelter and protection.