Shloka 31
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
ततः स पापो दुष्टात्मा मूषिकानथ भक्षयन् | पीवरश्न सुवर्णश्न॒ दृढबन्धश्न जायते
tataḥ sa pāpo duṣṭātmā mūṣikān atha bhakṣayan | pīvaraś ca suvarṇaś ca dṛḍhabandhaś ca jāyate ||
ਫਿਰ ਉਹ ਪਾਪੀ, ਦੁਸ਼ਟ-ਆਤਮਾ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਚੂਹਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਾਂਦੀ-ਖਾਂਦੀ ਦਿਨੋਂਦਿਨ ਮੋਟੀ ਤੇ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹੋਣ ਲੱਗੀ; ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਗਾਂ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਗੰਢ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਹੋ ਗਈ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension: even a sinful, cruel being may gain strength and attractiveness through harmful acts. It cautions that external prosperity is not a reliable sign of righteousness, and that ethical judgment must look beyond visible success.
Sañjaya describes a wicked creature that, by repeatedly devouring mice, becomes well-fed and handsome, with its body growing firmly knit and strong at the joints—showing its increasing physical power despite its immoral conduct.