Shloka 19
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
पूज्यमानस्तु तै: सर्वे: पक्षिभि: पक्षिभोजन: । आत्मकार्य कृतं मेने चर्यायाश्व॒ कृतं फलम्
pūjyamānas tu taiḥ sarvaiḥ pakṣibhiḥ pakṣibhojanaḥ | ātmakārya-kṛtaṃ mene caryāyāś ca kṛtaṃ phalam ||
Dihormati dan dipuja oleh semua burung itu—padahal sesungguhnya burung-burung itulah santapannya—kucing itu menyangka, “Urusanku telah berhasil, dan buah dari laku saleh yang tampak ini pun telah kudapat.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
External piety and disciplined ‘conduct’ can be used as a mask for selfish ends; true dharma is measured by intent and non-harm, not by the appearance of religious practice or the praise it attracts.
A cat that preys on birds receives honour from the birds (having deceived them through seemingly virtuous behaviour). Seeing their respect, it believes its personal scheme has succeeded and that it has gained the ‘reward’ of its ostentatious observance.