Shloka 31
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
ततः स पापो दुष्टात्मा मूषिकानथ भक्षयन् | पीवरश्न सुवर्णश्न॒ दृढबन्धश्न जायते
tataḥ sa pāpo duṣṭātmā mūṣikān atha bhakṣayan | pīvaraś ca suvarṇaś ca dṛḍhabandhaś ca jāyate ||
三阇耶说道：随后那罪恶而心性险毒的家伙——那猫——以鼠为食，日复一日变得肥壮俊美；其肢体亦愈加结实，关节一一坚固有力。此偈揭示：作恶亦可能换来外在的兴盛与形体的强健——这令人不安的对照，警醒人们不可凭可见的成功来断定德行。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension: even a sinful, cruel being may gain strength and attractiveness through harmful acts. It cautions that external prosperity is not a reliable sign of righteousness, and that ethical judgment must look beyond visible success.
Sañjaya describes a wicked creature that, by repeatedly devouring mice, becomes well-fed and handsome, with its body growing firmly knit and strong at the joints—showing its increasing physical power despite its immoral conduct.