Shloka 77
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
त॑ सम्पूज्याथ पलितं मार्जार: सौहदे स्थित: । स विचिन्त्याब्रवीद् धीर: प्रीतस्त्वरित एव च
taṁ sampūjyātha palitaṁ mārjāraḥ sauhade sthitaḥ | sa vicintyābravīd dhīraḥ prītastvarita eva ca ||
Bhīṣma nói: Sau khi cung kính tôn vinh và ca ngợi Palita tóc bạc, con mèo—đã đặt mình trong thế thân tình—suy nghĩ kỹ lưỡng với tâm trí vững vàng, rồi lập tức cất lời, điềm tĩnh và lộ rõ vẻ hài lòng.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how respect, praise, and a display of friendliness can precede advice or persuasion; ethically, it invites discernment—one should evaluate not only courteous words and gestures but also the intention behind them.
After honoring the elder Palita, the cat positions itself as friendly, thinks over what to say, and then speaks promptly and cheerfully—setting the stage for counsel, negotiation, or a potentially strategic appeal.