Shloka 18
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । मार्जारस्य च संवाद न्यग्रोधे मूषिकस्य च
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | mārjārasya ca saṁvādaṁ nyagrodhe mūṣikasya ca ||
ここでもまた、学識ある者たちは古い譬え話を引く。ニヤグローダ（バニヤンの樹）にまつわる、猫と鼠の対話である。これは、いま論じている道義の要点を明らかにするために示される。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals a moral lesson through an old exemplum: ethical discernment is sharpened by studying illustrative stories, especially those involving apparent friendship, hidden danger, and the need for prudent judgment.
Bhishma introduces an ancient story used by learned people as an example—the conversation between a cat and a mouse associated with a banyan tree—preparing the listener for a didactic episode that will clarify the topic at hand.