Sacred Concord

Mbh 12.116.1b

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Licking the corners of his mouth with the tongue, and lashing his tail furiously, the leopard came there, hungry and thirsty, with wide open jaws, desirous of seizing the dog as his prey. Beholding that fierce beast coming, O king, the dog, in fear of his life, addressed the Muni in these words. Listen unto them, O monarch! 'O holy one, this leopard is a foe of the dogs. It wishes to slay me. O great sage, do thou act in such a way that all my fears from this animal may be dispelled through thy grace. O thou of mighty arms, without doubt thou art possessed of omniscience.' Acquainted with the thoughts of all creatures, the sage felt that the dog had ample cause for fear. Possessed of the six attributes and capable of reading the voices of all animals, the sage said the following words.
Mbh 12.116.1b · Mahabharata · SANTI PARVA

Themes in this passage

FearSpeechDoubtLeadershipMercyNatureStrength

Fear in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity address it.

They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such men, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path.
Dhp 22.317 · Dhammapada · The Downward Course
When the people do not fear what they ought to fear, that which is their great dread will come on them.
Tao Te Ching 72.1 · Tao Te Ching
It is only the devil who would make (men) fear his partisans. Fear them not; fear Me, if ye are true believers.
Quran 3:175 · Quran · The Family Of Imran
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Isaiah 8:12 · Bible · Isaiah

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