Shloka 88
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
कार्यार्थ कृतसंधी तौ दृष्टवा मार्जारमूषिकौ । उलूकनकुलौ तूर्ण जग्मतुस्ती स्वमालयम्
kāryārthaṁ kṛta-sandhī tau dṛṣṭvā mārjāra-mūṣikau | ulūka-nakulau tūrṇaṁ jagmatus tī svam ālayam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Melihat kucing dan tikus telah membuat persekutuan demi mencapai tujuan masing-masing, burung hantu dan musang luwak segera berundur dan bergegas pulang ke tempat tinggal mereka.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even natural enemies may form temporary alliances to achieve immediate goals; wise observers reassess risk and withdraw when the balance of power shifts. Prudence (nīti) sometimes lies in retreat rather than confrontation.
The cat and the mouse make a pact to fulfill their purposes. Observing this unexpected alliance, the owl and the mongoose—who would otherwise act against them—quickly return to their own homes, avoiding a now-uncertain conflict.