Shloka 31
जम्बुकस्य तु तद् वाक््यं तथा चक्रुः समाहिता: । मूषिकाभक्षितै: पादैर्मुगं व्याप्रोडवधीत् तदा,गीदड़की वह बात सुनकर सबने सावधान होकर वैसा ही किया। चूहेके द्वारा काटे हुए पैरोंसे लड़खड़ाते हुए मृगको बाघने तत्काल ही मार डाला
jambukasya tu tad vākyaṃ tathā cakruḥ samāhitāḥ | mūṣikābhakṣitaiḥ pādair mṛgaṃ vyāghro ’vadhīt tadā ||
Heeding Jambuka’s words, they all acted with alert attention. Then, as the deer staggered with its feet gnawed by mice, the tiger promptly killed it.
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Small causes can have decisive effects: a minor weakening (the deer’s feet gnawed by mice) becomes fatal when a greater threat is present. The verse also highlights the power of timely counsel and the need for vigilant, composed action (samāhitāḥ).
After Jambuka gives advice, the group follows it attentively. The deer, weakened and stumbling because mice have gnawed its feet, is immediately slain by the tiger.