Shloka 67
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
ततस्तीक्ष्णाग्रदशनो मणिवैदूर्यलोचन: । मूषिकं मन्दमुद्वीक्ष्य मार्जारो लोमशोडब्रवीत्
tatas tīkṣṇāgradāśano maṇivaidūryalocanaḥ | mūṣikaṃ mandam udvīkṣya mārjāro lomaśo 'bravīt ||
Sesudah itu, si kucing bernama Lomaśa—bertaring depan setajam pisau dan bermata berkilau laksana permata vaidūrya—menatap tikus itu dengan pandang yang tenang, lalu berkata demikian.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prepares an ethical lesson about discernment: impressive appearance, gentle speech, or a show of restraint may hide harmful intent; therefore one should evaluate character through consistent behavior and motives rather than surface signs.
Bhishma narrates a fable-like episode: a cat named Lomaśa, described with sharp teeth and gem-like eyes, looks deliberately at a mouse and begins to speak—introducing a dialogue that will test trust, fear, and moral judgment.