Shloka 10

Sandhi–Vigraha in Āpada: The Mouse and the Cat (सन्धिविग्रहापदि—मूषकमार्जारसंवादः)

Devanagari script

बहूनि च सहस्राणि ग्रामणित्वेडभिवव्रिरे । निर्मर्यादानि दस्यूनां निरनुक्रोशवर्तिनाम्‌,एक दिन मर्यादाका अतिक्रमण और भाँति-भाँतिके क्रूरतापूर्ण कर्म करनेवाले कई हजार डाकुओंने उससे अपना सरदार बननेके लिये प्रार्थना की

Transliteration

bahūni ca sahasrāṇi grāmaṇitved abhivavrirē | nirmaryādāni dasyūnāṁ niranukrośavartinām ||

Translation

Bhishma berkata: Beribu-ribu penyamun—mereka yang melampaui segala batas dan hidup tanpa belas kasihan—datang mendekatinya lalu merayu agar dia menerima kedudukan sebagai ketua mereka.

Word by Word

बहूनिmany

चand

सहस्राणिthousands

ग्रामणित्वेin/for the position of chieftainship

अभिवव्रिरेchose / selected (for themselves)

निर्मर्यादानिlawless, without bounds

दस्यूनाम्of robbers/bandits

निरनुक्रोशवर्तिनाम्of those acting without compassion

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

dasyu (bandits/robbers)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Lawlessness is marked by the rejection of maryādā (ethical and social boundaries) and anukrośa (compassion). When such people seek a leader, it underscores the need for righteous governance: power should not be used to organize cruelty but to uphold restraint and protect society.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes a situation where thousands of ruthless bandits approach a person and request him to become their chief (grāmaṇi). The verse sets up a contrast between organized wrongdoing and the dharmic ideal of leadership grounded in compassion and limits.