Shloka 125
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
ततस्तस्माद् भयान्मुक्तो दुर्लभं प्राप्प जीवितम् । बिलस्थं पादपाग्रस्थ: पलितं लोमशोडब्रवीत्,उस भारी भयसे मुक्त हो दुर्लभ जीवन पाकर वृक्षकी शाखापर बैठे हुए लोमशने बिलके भीतर बैठे हुए चूहेसे कहा--
tatas tasmād bhayān mukto durlabhaṁ prāpya jīvitam | bilasthaṁ pādapāgra-sthaḥ palitaṁ lomaśo 'bravīt ||
Bhishma said: “Then, freed from that fear and having regained the rare gift of life, Lomaśa—seated upon the tip of a tree-branch—spoke to Palita, who was staying within his burrow.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Life is rare and precious; once fear is overcome and life is preserved, one should turn to thoughtful counsel and right conduct rather than panic—using safety as an opportunity for ethical reflection.
After escaping danger, Lomaśa sits on a tree-branch and addresses Palita, who remains inside a burrow, setting up a didactic conversation typical of Shanti Parva’s moral instruction.