Shloka 85
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
लीन तु तस्य गात्रेषु मार्जारस्य च मूषिकम् | दृष्टवा तौ नकुलोलूकौ निराशौ प्रत्यपद्यताम्,चूहेको बिलावके अंगोंमें छिपा हुआ देख नेवला और उल्लू दोनों निराश हो गये
līnaṃ tu tasya gātreṣu mārjārasya ca mūṣikam | dṛṣṭvā tau nakulolūkau nirāśau pratyapadyatām ||
But the mouse had already hidden itself close within the cat’s limbs. Seeing this, the mongoose and the owl lost hope and withdrew.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strategic prudence and timely shelter can defeat predatory alliances; when the vulnerable secure protection and act quickly, opportunistic threats lose their leverage and retreat.
The mouse is seen concealed against/within the cat’s body, and upon noticing this, the mongoose and the owl—who had hoped to seize the mouse—become disappointed and withdraw.