Shloka 21
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
कार्येण महता युक्त दम्भयुक्तेन भारत । तेषां मतिरियं राजन्नासीत् तत्र विनिश्चये,“भारत! दम्भयुक्त महान् कर्मोके अनुष्ठानमें लगे हुए उस बिलावको देखकर उनके मनमें यह विचार उत्पन्न हुआ
kāryeṇa mahatā yukta dambhayuktena bhārata | teṣāṁ matir iyaṁ rājann āsīt tatra viniścaye ||
Wahai Bhārata, melihat kucing itu menjalankan laku yang tampak agung namun terselubung kemunafikan, pada saat penentuan itu, wahai Raja, timbullah kesimpulan ini dalam benak mereka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Outwardly impressive actions can conceal inner deceit; ethical judgment requires looking beyond appearances (dambha) to true intent.
Sañjaya reports that, upon seeing a cat performing a seemingly grand act but marked by hypocrisy, the observers form a definite opinion about it at that moment.