Shloka 67
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
ततस्तीक्ष्णाग्रदशनो मणिवैदूर्यलोचन: । मूषिकं मन्दमुद्वीक्ष्य मार्जारो लोमशोडब्रवीत्
tatas tīkṣṇāgradāśano maṇivaidūryalocanaḥ | mūṣikaṃ mandam udvīkṣya mārjāro lomaśo 'bravīt ||
Bhishma nói: Bấy giờ, con mèo tên Lomaśa—răng cửa sắc như dao và đôi mắt sáng lấp lánh như ngọc vaidūrya—đưa cái nhìn chậm rãi, dè dặt về phía con chuột rồi cất lời.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prepares an ethical lesson about discernment: impressive appearance, gentle speech, or a show of restraint may hide harmful intent; therefore one should evaluate character through consistent behavior and motives rather than surface signs.
Bhishma narrates a fable-like episode: a cat named Lomaśa, described with sharp teeth and gem-like eyes, looks deliberately at a mouse and begins to speak—introducing a dialogue that will test trust, fear, and moral judgment.