Shloka 88
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
कार्यार्थ कृतसंधी तौ दृष्टवा मार्जारमूषिकौ । उलूकनकुलौ तूर्ण जग्मतुस्ती स्वमालयम्,अपने-अपने प्रयोजनकी सिद्धिके लिये चूहे और बिलावने आपसमें संधि कर ली, यह देखकर उल्लू और नेवला देनों तत्काल अपने निवासस्थानको लौट गये
kāryārthaṁ kṛta-sandhī tau dṛṣṭvā mārjāra-mūṣikau | ulūka-nakulau tūrṇaṁ jagmatus tī svam ālayam ||
Bhīṣma said: Seeing that the cat and the mouse had entered into an alliance for the sake of accomplishing their respective aims, the owl and the mongoose at once withdrew and hurried back to their own dwelling-places.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even natural enemies may form temporary alliances to achieve immediate goals; wise observers reassess risk and withdraw when the balance of power shifts. Prudence (nīti) sometimes lies in retreat rather than confrontation.
The cat and the mouse make a pact to fulfill their purposes. Observing this unexpected alliance, the owl and the mongoose—who would otherwise act against them—quickly return to their own homes, avoiding a now-uncertain conflict.