Shloka 65
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
अथ सुत्याद्ठतं श्रुत्वा तस्य शत्रोर्विचक्षण: । हेतुमद् ग्रहणीयार्थ मार्जारो वाक्यमब्रवीत्,अपने उस शत्रुका यह युक्तियुक्त और मान लेने योग्य सुन्दर भाषण सुनकर बुद्धिमान् बिलाव कुछ बोलनेको उद्यत हुआ
atha sūtyād dhṛtaṃ śrutvā tasya śatror vicakṣaṇaḥ | hetumad grahaṇīyārthaṃ mārjāro vākyam abravīt ||
Then, having heard that well-reasoned statement of his enemy and grasped its import, the discerning cat—finding it supported by sound rationale and worthy of acceptance—prepared to respond and spoke.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should evaluate speech by its reasoning and ethical soundness, not merely by the speaker’s identity; even an enemy’s words can be worthy of acceptance if they are hetumat (rational) and grahaṇīya (fit to be adopted).
A discerning cat hears an enemy’s well-argued statement, recognizes its meaningful and acceptable nature, and then begins to reply—signaling a shift from mere hostility to reasoned engagement.