Shloka 84
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
एवमाश्वचासितो विद्वान् माजरिण स मूषिक: । मार्जारोरसि विस्रब्ध: सुष्वाप पितृमातृवत्,बिलावने जब उस दिद्वान् चूहेको पूर्वोक्तरूपसे आश्वासन दिया, तब वह माता-पिताकी गोदके समान उस बिलावकी छातीपर निर्भय होकर सो गया
evam āśvāsitaḥ vidvān mārjāriṇā sa mūṣikaḥ | mārjārorasi visrabdhaḥ suṣvāpa pitṛ-mātṛ-vat ||
Thus reassured by the learned cat, the mouse—now free of suspicion—fell asleep upon the cat’s chest, as trustfully as a child resting in the lap of its father and mother.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Soothing assurances and displays of ‘wisdom’ can create false security; dharmic conduct requires discernment in granting trust, especially toward those whose nature or interests may conflict with one’s safety.
After the cat gives the mouse a convincing reassurance, the mouse becomes fearless and sleeps on the cat’s chest, trusting it as one would trust one’s own parents—highlighting the mouse’s complete, and potentially dangerous, surrender of caution.