Encyclopaedia of Sanskrit subhāṣitas 38

38

akasmādunmatta praharasi kimadhvakṣitiruhaṃ hradaṃ hastāghātairvidalasi kimutphullanalinam /
tadā jānīmaste karivara balodgāramasamaṃ saṭāṃ suptasyāpi spṛśasi yadi pañcānanaśiśoḥ //

Maddened one, why do you suddenly strike the roadside tree? / Why smash the pool with strokes of your trunk, destroying blooming lotuses? / We shall recognize your matchless outburst of strength, O best of elephants, / only if you touch the mane of a sleeping lion-cub!