Shloka 38
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
तत्र वृद्धतम: कश्चित् कोलिको नाम मूषिक: । अब्रवीद् वचन राजन् ज्ञातिमध्ये यथातथम्,“उनमें कोलिक नामसे प्रसिद्ध कोई चूहा था, जो अपने भाई-बन्धुओंमें सबसे बूढ़ा था। उसने सब लोगोंको यथार्थ बात बतायी--
tatra vṛddhatamaḥ kaścit koliko nāma mūṣikaḥ | abravīd vacanaṁ rājan jñātimadhye yathātatham ||
在那里，王啊，有一只名叫拘利迦的老鼠——在族亲中年岁最长——在亲族之中开口，直陈其事，如实而说。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of yathātatham—speaking the truth plainly—especially when offered as counsel within one’s own community, and it associates such truthful guidance with seniority and responsibility.
Sañjaya tells the King that, among a group of mice, the eldest one named Kolika addressed his relatives and spoke candidly, setting up a moment of advice or warning delivered to the clan.