Shloka 31
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
ततः स पापो दुष्टात्मा मूषिकानथ भक्षयन् | पीवरश्न सुवर्णश्न॒ दृढबन्धश्न जायते
tataḥ sa pāpo duṣṭātmā mūṣikān atha bhakṣayan | pīvaraś ca suvarṇaś ca dṛḍhabandhaś ca jāyate ||
তারপর সেই পাপী, দুষ্টচিত্ত বিড়াল ইঁদুর খেতে খেতে দিন দিন স্থূল ও সুন্দর হয়ে উঠল; আর তার অঙ্গপ্রত্যঙ্গের প্রতিটি সন্ধি দৃঢ় হতে লাগল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension: even a sinful, cruel being may gain strength and attractiveness through harmful acts. It cautions that external prosperity is not a reliable sign of righteousness, and that ethical judgment must look beyond visible success.
Sañjaya describes a wicked creature that, by repeatedly devouring mice, becomes well-fed and handsome, with its body growing firmly knit and strong at the joints—showing its increasing physical power despite its immoral conduct.