Shloka 135

आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः

Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca

Devanagari script

एवमुक्त: परां शान्तिं माजरिण स मूषिक: । उवाच परमन्त्रज्ञ: श्लक्षणमात्महितं वच:,बिलावकी ऐसी परम शान्तिपूर्ण बातें सुनकर उत्तम मन्त्रणाके ज्ञाता चूहेने मधुर वाणीमें अपने लिये हितकर वचन कहा--

Transliteration

evam uktaḥ parāṃ śāntiṃ mārjāriṇā sa mūṣikaḥ | uvāca paramantrajñaḥ ślakṣṇam ātmahitaṃ vacaḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma said: Thus addressed with words of supreme peace by the she-cat, the mouse—skilled in counsel—replied in a gentle tone, speaking what he believed to be beneficial for his own welfare.

Word by Word

एवम्thus

उक्तःhaving been spoken to / addressed

पराम्supreme

शान्तिम्peace

मार्जारिणाby the cat (cat-like one)

सःhe

मूषिकःmouse

उवाचsaid

परमन्त्रज्ञःknower of others' counsel/intentions

श्लक्ष्णम्gentle, smooth

आत्महितम्beneficial to oneself

वचःspeech, words

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

mouse (mūṣika)

she-cat (mārjārī)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even when peace-filled advice is offered, one must discern motives and consequences. The verse contrasts outward gentleness (śānti, ślakṣṇa-vacana) with inner calculation (ātma-hita), teaching careful judgment about trust, counsel, and self-preservation within dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

After the she-cat speaks soothing, peace-oriented words, the mouse—described as highly skilled in counsel—responds politely and strategically, choosing words that serve his own interest. It sets up a dialogue where apparent harmony may conceal competing aims.