Shloka 38
तत्र वृद्धतम: कश्चित् कोलिको नाम मूषिक: । अब्रवीद् वचन राजन् ज्ञातिमध्ये यथातथम्,“उनमें कोलिक नामसे प्रसिद्ध कोई चूहा था, जो अपने भाई-बन्धुओंमें सबसे बूढ़ा था। उसने सब लोगोंको यथार्थ बात बतायी--
tatra vṛddhatamaḥ kaścit koliko nāma mūṣikaḥ | abravīd vacanaṁ rājan jñātimadhye yathātatham ||
तत्र वृद्धतमः कश्चित् कोलिको नाम मूषिकः। स राजन् ज्ञातिमध्ये यथातथ्यं वचनमब्रवीत्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of yathātatham—speaking the truth plainly—especially when offered as counsel within one’s own community, and it associates such truthful guidance with seniority and responsibility.
Sañjaya tells the King that, among a group of mice, the eldest one named Kolika addressed his relatives and spoke candidly, setting up a moment of advice or warning delivered to the clan.