Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 48
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
Devanagari script
एवं विचिन्तयामास मूषिक: शरत्रुचेष्टितम्
Transliteration
evaṁ vicintayāmāsa mūṣikaḥ śatrucēṣṭitam |
Translation
于是老鼠细细思量敌人的举动与机谋。它善于洞察达成目的之道，又能判断何时宜和、何时宜争；便抚慰那猫，以甜美之辞开口——以温柔为帷，暗藏谋略。
Word by Word
एवम्thus
एवम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएवम्
विचिन्तयामासpondered, reflected
विचिन्तयामास:
TypeVerb
Rootविचिन्त्
FormPerfect (Periphrastic Perfect), 3, singular, Parasmaipada
मूषिकःthe mouse
मूषिकः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमूषिक
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
शत्रुचेष्टितम्the enemy's conduct/plan
शत्रुचेष्टितम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशत्रुचेष्टित
Formneuter, accusative, singular
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
M
mūṣika (mouse)Ś
śatru (enemy)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
One should read an opponent’s intentions accurately and choose the appropriate policy—conciliation or confrontation—without being misled by appearances; sweet speech can be a tool of prudent strategy, not merely sentiment.
The mouse, recognizing the enemy’s move, thinks it through and then calms the cat with gentle, pleasing words, preparing to act with calculated prudence.