Shloka 84
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
एवमाश्वचासितो विद्वान् माजरिण स मूषिक: । मार्जारोरसि विस्रब्ध: सुष्वाप पितृमातृवत्
evam āśvāsitaḥ vidvān mārjāriṇā sa mūṣikaḥ | mārjārorasi visrabdhaḥ suṣvāpa pitṛ-mātṛ-vat ||
एवमाश्वासितो विद्वता मार्जारेण स मूषिकः । मार्जारोरसि विस्रब्धः सुष्वाप पितृमातृवत् ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Soothing assurances and displays of ‘wisdom’ can create false security; dharmic conduct requires discernment in granting trust, especially toward those whose nature or interests may conflict with one’s safety.
After the cat gives the mouse a convincing reassurance, the mouse becomes fearless and sleeps on the cat’s chest, trusting it as one would trust one’s own parents—highlighting the mouse’s complete, and potentially dangerous, surrender of caution.