Shloka 20
The Lord Appears to the Devas and Instructs the Truce; Mandara Is Brought for Churning
अरयोऽपि हि सन्धेया: सति कार्यार्थगौरवे । अहिमूषिकवद् देवा ह्यर्थस्य पदवीं गतै: ॥ २० ॥
arayo ’pi hi sandheyāḥ sati kāryārtha-gaurave ahi-mūṣikavad devā hy arthasya padavīṁ gataiḥ
إذا كان المقصود بالغ الأهمية، وجب عقد هدنة حتى مع الأعداء. يا معشر الآلهة، ولأجل مصلحتكم اسلكوا منطق الحيّة والفأر.
A snake and a mouse were once caught in a basket. Now, since the mouse is food for the snake, this was a good opportunity for the snake. However, since both of them were caught in the basket, even if the snake ate the mouse, the snake would not be able to get out. Therefore, the snake thought it wise to make a truce with the mouse and ask the mouse to make a hole in the basket so that both of them could get out. The snake’s intention was that after the mouse made the hole, the snake would eat the mouse and escape from the basket through the hole. This is called the logic of the snake and the mouse.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when a higher, essential purpose must be achieved, even enemies may be reconciled through a truce, setting aside hostility to accomplish the necessary work.
In the context of the churning of the ocean (samudra manthan), the devas needed cooperation to obtain the desired result, so the narrative emphasizes strategic reconciliation for accomplishing the divine objective.
For a meaningful goal—family harmony, community service, or spiritual progress—one can temporarily set aside ego and past conflicts, cooperate respectfully, and focus on the shared objective.