Shloka 9
Sandhi–Vigraha in Āpada: The Mouse and the Cat (सन्धिविग्रहापदि—मूषकमार्जारसंवादः)
येअ्स्मान्न प्रतिगृह्लन्ति दस्युभोजनशड्कया । तेषामासज्य गेहेषु कल्य एव स गच्छति
ye ’smān na pratigṛhṇanti dasyubhojanaśaṅkayā | teṣām āsajya geheṣu kalya eva sa gacchati ||
Bhīṣma said: “Those who would not accept food from his hand, fearing it might be a robber’s fare—into their houses he would quietly place provisions, and he would depart at daybreak.” The verse highlights scrupulous concern for purity of livelihood and the giver’s tactful compassion that avoids forcing a gift upon the conscientious.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should be careful about accepting support that may be tainted by wrongdoing, yet compassion can still be shown in a way that respects another’s scruples—giving without coercion and without compromising their ethical stance.
Bhīṣma describes people who refused to take food directly from someone, suspecting it might be connected with robbers; nevertheless, that person would discreetly leave food and fruits at their homes early in the morning and then depart.