Shloka 19
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
पूज्यमानस्तु तै: सर्वे: पक्षिभि: पक्षिभोजन: । आत्मकार्य कृतं मेने चर्यायाश्व॒ कृतं फलम्
pūjyamānas tu taiḥ sarvaiḥ pakṣibhiḥ pakṣibhojanaḥ | ātmakārya-kṛtaṃ mene caryāyāś ca kṛtaṃ phalam ||
三阇耶说道：“当那只猫——实则以群鸟为食者——被所有鸟类恭敬供奉之时，它便自以为：‘我的目的已成；我那外表虔修之行，也已得到了所求的果报。’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
External piety and disciplined ‘conduct’ can be used as a mask for selfish ends; true dharma is measured by intent and non-harm, not by the appearance of religious practice or the praise it attracts.
A cat that preys on birds receives honour from the birds (having deceived them through seemingly virtuous behaviour). Seeing their respect, it believes its personal scheme has succeeded and that it has gained the ‘reward’ of its ostentatious observance.