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 ||
И здесь учёные приводят древний назидательный рассказ: беседу кота и мыши, связанную с деревом ньягродха (баньян). Этот пример приводится, чтобы прояснить обсуждаемую нравственную мысль.
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.