The Cat and the Mouse: An Alliance with an Enemy

Verse 1 (12.138.1)

सर्वत्र बुद्धिः कथिता श्रेष्ठा ते भरतर्षभ । अनागता तथोत्पन्ना दीर्घसूत्रा विनाशिनी ॥

sarvatra buddhiḥ kathitā śreṣṭhā te bharatarṣabha | anāgatā tathotpannā dīrghasūtrā vināśinī

O best of the Bharatas, you have taught that intelligence is the best thing in every situation: the intelligence that foresees what has not yet come and the intelligence that meets what has arisen, while the habit of delay brings ruin.

Verse 2 (12.138.2)

तदिच्छामि परां बुद्धिं श्रोतुं ते भरतर्षभ । यथा राजा न मुह्येत शत्रुभिः परिपीडितः ॥

tadicchāmi parāṃ buddhiṃ śrotuṃ te bharatarṣabha | yathā rājā na muhyeta śatrubhiḥ paripīḍitaḥ

Therefore, best of the Bharatas, I wish to hear from you of that highest wisdom by which a king hard pressed by his enemies would not lose his bearings.

Verse 3 (12.138.3)

धर्मार्थकुशलं प्राज्ञं सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम् । पृच्छामि त्वा कुरुश्रेष्ठ तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥

dharmārthakuśalaṃ prājñaṃ sarvaśāstraviśāradam | pṛcchāmi tvā kuruśreṣṭha tanme vyākhyātumarhasi

You are skilled in dharma and in worldly gain, wise, and learned in all the treatises. I ask you, best of the Kurus: please explain this to me.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (12.136.3): Wikisource prints this verse with lost text ("------याज्ञं सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम् । पृच्छ------- तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि"). Line 1: the gap is filled with धर्मार्थकुशलं प्रा (CE dharmārthakuśala prājña) and याज्ञं is corrected to प्राज्ञं (misprint in Wikisource), keeping the page's accusative ending (the CE has the vocative). Line 2: the gap is completed from the CE (pṛcchāmi tvā kuruśreṣṭha).

Verse 4 (12.138.4)

शत्रुभिर्बहुभिर्ग्रस्तो यथा मुच्येत पार्थिवः । एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं सर्वमेव यथाविधि ॥

śatrubhirbahubhirgrasto yathā mucyeta pārthivaḥ | etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ sarvameva yathāvidhi

How should a king act, or how may he be freed, when he is seized by many enemies? I wish to hear all of this in due order.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (12.136.4): Wikisource prints the verse with lost letters ("शत्रुभिबहु------था मुच्येत पार्थिवः । एतदिच्छाम्य------र्वमेव यथाविधि"). The gaps are filled from the CE (…भिर्ग्रस्तो य…; …हं श्रोतुं स…), and शत्रुभिबहु is completed to शत्रुभिर्बहुभिर् (dropped letters). The page's own reading यथा मुच्येत (CE yathā varteta) is kept.

Verse 5 (12.138.5)

विषमस्थं हि राजानं शत्रवः परिपन्थिनः । बहवोऽप्येकमुद्धर्तुं यतन्ते पूर्वतापिताः ॥

viṣamasthaṃ hi rājānaṃ śatravaḥ paripanthinaḥ | bahavo'pyekamuddhartuṃ yatante pūrvatāpitāḥ

When a king is in a perilous position, his enemies lie in wait for him; many of them, who have long been afflicted by him, strive together to uproot that one man.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (12.136.5): Wikisource prints "राजा----त्रवः" with lost letters; completed as राजानं शत्रवः (CE rājānaṃ śatravaḥ).

Verse 6 (12.138.6)

सर्वतः प्रार्थ्यमानेन दुर्बलेन महाबलैः । एकेनैवासहायेन शक्यं स्थातुं भवेत्कथम् ॥

sarvataḥ prārthyamānena durbalena mahābalaiḥ | ekenaivāsahāyena śakyaṃ sthātuṃ bhavetkatham

How can one weak man, alone and without help, hold his ground when mighty enemies seek to seize him from every side?

Note on the text: Corrected दर्बलेन → दुर्बलेन (misprint in Wikisource; CE durbalena).

Verse 7 (12.138.7)

कथं मित्रमरिं चापि विन्देत भरतर्षभ । चेष्टितव्यं कथं चात्र शत्रोर्मित्रस्य चान्तरे ॥

kathaṃ mitramariṃ cāpi vindeta bharatarṣabha | ceṣṭitavyaṃ kathaṃ cātra śatrormitrasya cāntare

How, best of the Bharatas, is one to find a friend or an enemy? And how must one behave in the space between an enemy and a friend?

Verse 8 (12.138.8)

अजातलक्षणे राजन्नमित्रे मित्रतां गते । कथं नु पुरुषः कुर्यात्कृत्वा किं वा सुखी भवेत् ॥

ajātalakṣaṇe rājannamitre mitratāṃ gate | kathaṃ nu puruṣaḥ kuryātkṛtvā kiṃ vā sukhī bhavet

O king, when an enemy whose true marks are not yet known has become a friend, what should a man do, and what should he do to be happy?

Verse 9 (12.138.9)

विग्रहं केन वा कुर्यात्संधिं वा केन योजयेत् । कथं वा शत्रुमध्यस्थो वर्तेत बलवानपि ॥

vigrahaṃ kena vā kuryātsaṃdhiṃ vā kena yojayet | kathaṃ vā śatrumadhyastho varteta balavānapi

With whom should he make war, and with whom join in peace? And how should one, even a strong man, conduct himself when he stands in the midst of enemies?

Verse 10 (12.138.10)

एतद्धै सर्वकृत्यानां परं कृत्यं नराधिप । नैतस्य कश्चिद्वक्ताऽस्ति श्रोता वाऽपि सुदुर्लभः ॥

etaddhai sarvakṛtyānāṃ paraṃ kṛtyaṃ narādhipa | naitasya kaścidvaktā'sti śrotā vā'pi sudurlabhaḥ

Of all duties this is the highest, lord of men. There is hardly anyone to speak on it, and a listener is very hard to find.

Verse 11 (12.138.11)

ऋते पितामहाद्भीष्मात्सत्यसंधाज्जितेन्द्रियात् । तदन्वीक्ष्य महाभाग सर्वमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे ॥

ṛte pitāmahādbhīṣmātsatyasaṃdhājjitendriyāt | tadanvīkṣya mahābhāga sarvametadbravīhi me

Other than grandfather Bhishma, true to his word and master of his senses, there is no one. Reflect on this, O fortunate one, and tell me all of it.

Verse 12 (12.138.12)

त्वद्युक्तोऽयमनुप्रश्नो युधिष्ठिर गुणोदयः । शृणु मे पुत्र कार्त्स्न्येन गुह्यमापत्सु भारत ॥

tvadyukto'yamanupraśno yudhiṣṭhira guṇodayaḥ | śṛṇu me putra kārtsnyena guhyamāpatsu bhārata

This question of yours is fitting, Yudhishthira, and it draws out good qualities. Listen to me, my son, as I tell you in full this secret about times of calamity, O Bharata.

Verse 13 (12.138.13)

अमित्रो मित्रतां याति मित्रं चापि प्रदुष्यति । सामर्थ्ययोगात्कार्याणामनित्या हि सदा गतिः ॥

amitro mitratāṃ yāti mitraṃ cāpi praduṣyati | sāmarthyayogātkāryāṇāmanityā hi sadā gatiḥ

An enemy becomes a friend, and a friend turns hostile; for the course of affairs, which depends on the strength of circumstances, is never fixed.

Verse 14 (12.138.14)

तस्माद्विश्वसितव्यं च विग्रहं च समाचरेत् । देशं कालं च विज्ञाय कार्याकार्यविनिश्चये ॥

tasmādviśvasitavyaṃ ca vigrahaṃ ca samācaret | deśaṃ kālaṃ ca vijñāya kāryākāryaviniścaye

Therefore, knowing the place and the time, one should in deciding what is to be done and what is not, sometimes trust and sometimes make war.

Verse 15 (12.138.15)

संधातव्यं बुधैर्नित्यं व्यवस्य च हितार्थिभिः । अमित्रैरपि संधेयं प्राणा रक्ष्या हि भारत ॥

saṃdhātavyaṃ budhairnityaṃ vyavasya ca hitārthibhiḥ | amitrairapi saṃdheyaṃ prāṇā rakṣyā hi bhārata

The wise who seek their own good should always settle on a course and make peace; peace should be made even with enemies, for life must be protected, O Bharata.

Verse 16 (12.138.16)

यो ह्यमित्रैर्नरैर्नित्यं न संदध्यादपण्डितः । न सोर्थं प्राप्नुयात्किंचित्फलान्यपि च भारत ॥

yo hyamitrairnarairnityaṃ na saṃdadhyādapaṇḍitaḥ | na sorthaṃ prāpnuyātkiṃcitphalānyapi ca bhārata

The unwise man who never makes peace with his enemies will gain no object whatever, nor any of its fruits, O Bharata.

Verse 17 (12.138.17)

यस्त्वमित्रेण संधत्ते मित्रेण च विरुध्यते । अर्थयुक्तिं समालोक्य सुमहद्विन्दते फलम् ॥

yastvamitreṇa saṃdhatte mitreṇa ca virudhyate | arthayuktiṃ samālokya sumahadvindate phalam

But he who makes peace with an enemy, even if he falls out with a friend, having weighed what his interest requires, wins a very great reward.

Verse 18 (12.138.18)

अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । मार्जारस्य च संवादं न्यग्रोधे मूषिकस्य च ॥

atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | mārjārasya ca saṃvādaṃ nyagrodhe mūṣikasya ca

On this they tell an ancient tale: the conversation between a cat and a mouse in a banyan tree.

Verse 19 (12.138.19)

वने महति कस्मिंश्चिन्न्यग्रोधः सुमहानभूत् । लताजालपरिच्छन्नो नानाद्विजगणायुतः ॥

vane mahati kasmiṃścinnyagrodhaḥ sumahānabhūt | latājālaparicchanno nānādvijagaṇāyutaḥ

In a certain great forest there once stood a huge banyan tree, covered with a net of creepers and crowded with flocks of birds of many kinds.

Verse 20 (12.138.20)

स्कन्धवान्मेघसंकाशः शीतच्छायो मनोरमः । अरण्यमभितो जातस्तरुर्व्यालमृगायुतः ॥

skandhavānmeghasaṃkāśaḥ śītacchāyo manoramaḥ | araṇyamabhito jātastarurvyālamṛgāyutaḥ

It had a mighty trunk and looked like a cloud; its shade was cool and its look delightful. It stood at the edge of the forest, crowded with beasts of prey.

Verse 21 (12.138.21)

तस्य मूलमुपाश्रित्य कृत्वा शतमुखं बिलम् । वसति स्म महाप्राज्ञः पलितो नाम मूषिकः ॥

tasya mūlamupāśritya kṛtvā śatamukhaṃ bilam | vasati sma mahāprājñaḥ palito nāma mūṣikaḥ

Taking shelter at its root, a very wise mouse named Palita lived there, having made a burrow with a hundred openings.

Verse 22 (12.138.22)

शाखां तस्य समाश्रित्य वसति स्म सुखं तदा । लोमशो नाम मार्जारः सर्वसत्वावसादकः ॥

śākhāṃ tasya samāśritya vasati sma sukhaṃ tadā | lomaśo nāma mārjāraḥ sarvasatvāvasādakaḥ

And on its branch, living there at ease, was a cat named Lomasha, who was a scourge to every creature.

Verse 23 (12.138.23)

तत्र त्वागत्य चण्डालो ह्यरण्यकृतकेतनः । युयोज यन्त्रमुन्माथं नित्यमस्तंगते रवौ ॥

tatra tvāgatya caṇḍālo hyaraṇyakṛtaketanaḥ | yuyoja yantramunmāthaṃ nityamastaṃgate ravau

Then a Chandala, who had built his hut in the forest, came there and every evening, when the sun had set, he set a trap there.

Verse 24 (12.138.24)

तत्र स्नायुमयान्पाशान्यथावत्संविधाय सः । गृहं गत्वा सुखं शेते प्रभातामेति शर्वरीम् ॥

tatra snāyumayānpāśānyathāvatsaṃvidhāya saḥ | gṛhaṃ gatvā sukhaṃ śete prabhātāmeti śarvarīm

Having laid out his cords of sinew there in the proper way, he would go home, sleep in comfort, and rest until the night turned to dawn.

Verse 25 (12.138.25)

तत्र स्म नित्यं बध्यन्ते नक्तं बहुविधा मृगाः । कदाचिदत्र मार्जारः संप्रवृत्तो व्यबध्यत ॥

tatra sma nityaṃ badhyante naktaṃ bahuvidhā mṛgāḥ | kadācidatra mārjāraḥ saṃpravṛtto vyabadhyata

Every night animals of many kinds were caught there. One day the cat, wandering in, was caught.

Verse 26 (12.138.26)

तस्मिन्बद्धे महाप्राणे शत्रौ नित्याततायिनि । तं कालं पलितो ज्ञात्वा प्रचचार सुनिर्भयः ॥

tasminbaddhe mahāprāṇe śatrau nityātatāyini | taṃ kālaṃ palito jñātvā pracacāra sunirbhayaḥ

When that powerful enemy, always ready to strike, was caught, Palita, knowing that the time was his, went about without fear.

Verse 27 (12.138.27)

तेनानुचरता तस्मिन्वने विश्वस्तचारिणा । भक्ष्यं मृगयमाणेन नचिराद्दृष्टमामिषम् ॥

tenānucaratā tasminvane viśvastacāriṇā | bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayamāṇena nacirāddṛṣṭamāmiṣam

As he roamed that forest, moving about trustfully and looking for food, he soon caught sight of a piece of meat.

Note on the text: Corrected तस्मिन्वते → तस्मिन्वने (misprint in Wikisource; CE vane, and a forest is meant); मृगयमाणे → मृगयमाणेन (misprint in Wikisource; the participle must agree with तेन, as in the CE's vicaramāṇena).

Verse 28 (12.138.28)

स तमुन्माथमारुह्य तदामिषमभक्षयत् । तस्योपरि सपत्नस्य बद्धस्य मनसा हसन् ॥

sa tamunmāthamāruhya tadāmiṣamabhakṣayat | tasyopari sapatnasya baddhasya manasā hasan

He climbed onto the trap and ate that meat, laughing in his heart at his enemy who lay bound beneath him.

Verse 29 (12.138.29)

आमिषे तु प्रसक्तः स कदाचिदवलोकयन् । अपश्यदपरं घोरमात्मनो रिपुमागतम् ॥

āmiṣe tu prasaktaḥ sa kadācidavalokayan | apaśyadaparaṃ ghoramātmano ripumāgatam

While he was absorbed in the meat, he happened to look around and saw another dreadful enemy of his come near.

Note on the text: Corrected कदाचितवलोकयन् → कदाचिदवलोकयन् (misprint in Wikisource; broken sandhi, CE kadā cid avalokayan).

Verse 30 (12.138.30)

शरप्रसूनसंकाशं महीविवरशायिनम् । नकुलं हरिकं नाम चपलं ताम्रलोचनम् ॥

śaraprasūnasaṃkāśaṃ mahīvivaraśāyinam | nakulaṃ harikaṃ nāma capalaṃ tāmralocanam

It was a mongoose named Harika, pale as a reed flower, who lived in a hole in the ground, restless, with copper-red eyes.

Note on the text: Corrected सकुलं → नकुलं (misprint in Wikisource; CE nakulaṃ, and the mongoose is meant by नकुलोलूकयोः in verse 33).

Verse 31 (12.138.31)

तेन मूषिकगन्धेन त्वरमाण उपागतम् । भक्ष्यार्थं लेलिहन्वक्रं भूमावूर्ध्वमुखः स्थितः ॥

tena mūṣikagandhena tvaramāṇa upāgatam | bhakṣyārthaṃ lelihanvakraṃ bhūmāvūrdhvamukhaḥ sthitaḥ

Drawn by the smell of the mouse, it had come hurrying close, and it stood there licking its jaws for its meal, its face raised from the ground.

Note on the text: Corrected तन मूषिकगन्धेन → तेन मूषिकगन्धेन and सक्ष्यार्थं → भक्ष्यार्थं (misprints in Wikisource; CE tena mūṣakagandhena, bhakṣārthaṃ).

Verse 32 (12.138.32)

शाखागतमरिं चान्यमपश्यत्कोटरालयम् । उलूकं चन्द्रकं नाम वक्रतुण्डं दुरासदम् ॥

śākhāgatamariṃ cānyamapaśyatkoṭarālayam | ulūkaṃ candrakaṃ nāma vakratuṇḍaṃ durāsadam

And on a branch he saw yet another enemy, an owl named Chandraka, with a crooked beak, hard to withstand, living in a hollow.

Note on the text: Corrected "--ाखागतमरिं" → शाखागतमरिं (lost letter in Wikisource, completed from CE śākhāgatam) and सूलकं → उलूकं (misprint in Wikisource; CE ulūkaṃ). Line 2 वक्रतुण्डं दुरासदम् is a recension variant of CE tīkṣṇatuṇḍaṃ kṣapācaram.

Verse 33 (12.138.33)

गतस्य विषयं तस्य नकुलोलूकयोस्तथा । यथास्यासीदियं चिन्ता तत्प्राप्तस्य महद्भयम् ॥

gatasya viṣayaṃ tasya nakulolūkayostathā | yathāsyāsīdiyaṃ cintā tatprāptasya mahadbhayam

As he stood within reach of both the mongoose and the owl, this thought came to him, now that great fear had overtaken him:

Note on the text: Corrected पतस्य → गतस्य (misprint in Wikisource; CE gatasya).

Verse 34 (12.138.34)

आपद्यस्यां सुकष्टायां मरणे समुपस्थिते । समन्ताद्भय उत्पन्ने कथं कार्यं मनीषिणा ॥

āpadyasyāṃ sukaṣṭāyāṃ maraṇe samupasthite | samantādbhaya utpanne kathaṃ kāryaṃ manīṣiṇā

What can a thoughtful creature do when this grievous calamity has come, death is close at hand, and fear has arisen on every side?

Note on the text: Corrected पपद्यस्यां → आपद्यस्यां and मन्ताद्भय → समन्ताद्भय (misprints in Wikisource; CE āpady asyāṃ, samantād bhaya). Line 2 मनीषिणा is a recension variant of CE hitaiṣiṇā.

Verse 35 (12.138.35)

तथा सर्वतो रुद्धः सर्वत्र भयकर्शितः । भवद्भयसंत्रस्तश्चक्रे च परमां मतिम् ॥

tathā sarvato ruddhaḥ sarvatra bhayakarśitaḥ | bhavadbhayasaṃtrastaścakre ca paramāṃ matim

Thus shut in on every side, tormented by fear everywhere, and terrified by the fear that was rising, he formed a supreme resolve.

Verse 36 (12.138.36)

आपद्विनाशभूयिष्ठं शङ्कनीयं हि जीवितम् । समन्तात्संशयः सोऽयं तस्मादापदुपस्थिता ॥

āpadvināśabhūyiṣṭhaṃ śaṅkanīyaṃ hi jīvitam | samantātsaṃśayaḥ so'yaṃ tasmādāpadupasthitā

Life is full of ruin by calamity and never free from fear; this doubt hangs over it on every side, and that is why this calamity has now come upon me.

Note on the text: Corrected मन्तात्संशयः → समन्तात्संशयः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped letter, CE samanta-). Lines differ from CE 12.136.36 (recension variants).

Verse 37 (12.138.37)

गतं हि सहसा भूमिं नकुलो मामवाप्नुयात् । उलूकश्चेह तिष्ठन्तं मार्जारः पाशसंक्षयात् ॥

gataṃ hi sahasā bhūmiṃ nakulo māmavāpnuyāt | ulūkaśceha tiṣṭhantaṃ mārjāraḥ pāśasaṃkṣayāt

If I go suddenly to the ground, the mongoose will get me; if I stay here, the owl; and the cat, when his cords are cut through.

Note on the text: The CE's three star lines 12.136.37b*0308_01-03 (between lines 1 and 2) are not on the page.

Verse 38 (12.138.38)

न त्वेवास्मद्विधः प्राज्ञः संमोहं गन्तुमर्हति । करिष्ये जीविते यत्नं यावदुच्छ्वासनिग्रहात् ॥

na tvevāsmadvidhaḥ prājñaḥ saṃmohaṃ gantumarhati | kariṣye jīvite yatnaṃ yāvaducchvāsanigrahāt

But a man as wise as I am should not fall into confusion. I shall strive for my life as long as I can draw breath.

Note on the text: Corrected रिष्ये → करिष्ये (misprint in Wikisource; dropped first letter, CE kariṣye).

Verse 39 (12.138.39)

न हि बुद्ध्याऽन्वितः प्राज्ञो नीतिशास्त्रविशारदः । निमज्जत्यापदं प्राप्य महतोऽर्थानवाप्य ह ॥

na hi buddhyā'nvitaḥ prājño nītiśāstraviśāradaḥ | nimajjatyāpadaṃ prāpya mahato'rthānavāpya ha

A wise man, endowed with understanding and learned in the science of policy, does not sink when calamity strikes, even after he has gained great ends.

Note on the text: Lines are a recension variant of CE 12.136.39.

Verse 40 (12.138.40)

न त्वन्यामिह मार्जाराद्गतिं पश्यामि सांप्रतम् । विषमस्थो ह्ययं शत्रुः कृत्यं चास्य महन्मया ॥

na tvanyāmiha mārjārādgatiṃ paśyāmi sāṃpratam | viṣamastho hyayaṃ śatruḥ kṛtyaṃ cāsya mahanmayā

I see no other way out now except through this cat. He is in a bad position, and he has great need of me.

Verse 41 (12.138.41)

जीवितार्थी कथं त्वद्य शत्रुभिः प्रार्थितस्त्रिभिः । प्राणहेतोरिमं मित्रं मार्जारं संश्रयामि वै ॥

jīvitārthī kathaṃ tvadya śatrubhiḥ prārthitastribhiḥ | prāṇahetorimaṃ mitraṃ mārjāraṃ saṃśrayāmi vai

How can I, who wish to live, be saved today when three enemies are after me? For the sake of my life I shall take refuge with this cat as a friend.

Note on the text: First line = CE 12.136.41a; line 2 is a recension variant (CE tasmād imam ahaṃ śatruṃ mārjāraṃ saṃśrayāmi vai).

Verse 42 (12.138.42)

नीतिशास्त्रं समाश्रित्य हितमस्योपवर्णये । येनेमं शत्रुसंघातं मतिपूर्वेण वञ्चये ॥

nītiśāstraṃ samāśritya hitamasyopavarṇaye | yenemaṃ śatrusaṃghātaṃ matipūrveṇa vañcaye

Relying on the science of policy, I shall find what is good for him too, so that with forethought I may deceive this band of enemies.

Verse 43 (12.138.43)

अयमत्यन्तशत्रुर्मे वैषम्यं परमं गतः । मूढो ग्राहयितुं स्वार्थं संगत्या यदि शक्यते ॥

ayamatyantaśatrurme vaiṣamyaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ | mūḍho grāhayituṃ svārthaṃ saṃgatyā yadi śakyate

This bitter enemy of mine has fallen into the worst distress. If this fool can be made, by an agreement with me, to grasp his own interest...

Verse 44 (12.138.44)

कदाचिद्व्यसनं प्राप्य संधिं कुर्यान्मया सह ॥

kadācidvyasanaṃ prāpya saṃdhiṃ kuryānmayā saha

Perhaps, having fallen into trouble, he will make peace with me.

Note on the text: Corrected कदाजिद् → कदाचिद् (misprint in Wikisource; CE kadā cid). Printed as a single line on the page (label 12-138-44a only) = CE 12.136.44a; the next verse holds CE lines 44c and 44e.

Verse 45 (12.138.45)

बलिना सन्निकृष्टस्य शत्रोरपि परिग्रहः । कार्य इत्याहुराचार्या विषमे जीवितार्थिना ॥

balinā sannikṛṣṭasya śatrorapi parigrahaḥ | kārya ityāhurācāryā viṣame jīvitārthinā

The teachers say that a man in a difficult place who wants to live should take in even an enemy, if that enemy is stronger and near at hand.

Note on the text: Lines = CE 12.136.44c and 44e (the page divides the CE's three-line verse into two verses). सन्निकृष्टस्य is a recension variant of CE saṃniviṣṭasya.

Verse 46 (12.138.46)

श्रेष्ठो हि पण्डितः शत्रुर्न च मित्रमपण्डितः । अमित्रे खलु मार्जारे जीवितं संप्रतिष्ठितम् ॥

śreṣṭho hi paṇḍitaḥ śatrurna ca mitramapaṇḍitaḥ | amitre khalu mārjāre jīvitaṃ saṃpratiṣṭhitam

A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend; and my life now rests on the cat, who is no friend of mine.

Verse 47 (12.138.47)

ततोऽस्मै संप्रवक्ष्यामि हेतुमात्माभिरक्षणे । अपीदानीमयं शत्रुः संगत्या पण्डितो भवेत् ॥

tato'smai saṃpravakṣyāmi hetumātmābhirakṣaṇe | apīdānīmayaṃ śatruḥ saṃgatyā paṇḍito bhavet

So I shall tell him the reason for protecting himself; perhaps through this alliance this enemy may become wise.

Note on the text: Corrected अपीजानीमयं → अपीदानीमयं (misprint in Wikisource; CE apīdānīm ayaṃ). Line 1 ततोऽस्मै संप्रवक्ष्यामि is a recension variant of CE hantainaṃ saṃpravakṣyāmi.

Verse 48 (12.138.48)

एवं विचिन्तयामास मूषिकः शत्रुचेष्टितम् ॥

evaṃ vicintayāmāsa mūṣikaḥ śatruceṣṭitam

So the mouse reflected on the conduct of his enemy.

Note on the text: Not in the critical text proper: the line is the CE star passage 12.136.46d*0309_01. Printed as a single line on the page (label 12-138-48a only).

Verse 49 (12.138.49)

ततोऽर्थगतितत्त्वज्ञः संधिविग्रहकालवित् । सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वाक्यं मार्जारं मूषिकोऽब्रवीत् ॥

tato'rthagatitattvajñaḥ saṃdhivigrahakālavit | sāntvapūrvamidaṃ vākyaṃ mārjāraṃ mūṣiko'bravīt

Then the mouse, who knew what served his purpose and knew the right times for peace and for war, spoke these words to the cat, beginning with conciliation.

Verse 50 (12.138.50)

सौहृदेनाभिभाषे त्वां कच्चिन्मार्जार जीवसे । जीवितं हि तवेच्छामि श्रेयः साधारणं हि नौ ॥

sauhṛdenābhibhāṣe tvāṃ kaccinmārjāra jīvase | jīvitaṃ hi tavecchāmi śreyaḥ sādhāraṇaṃ hi nau

I speak to you in friendship: are you still alive, cat? I wish you to live, for what is good for us both is the same.

Verse 51 (12.138.51)

न ते सौम्य भयं कार्यं जीविष्यसि यथा पुरा । अहं त्वामुद्धरिष्यामि प्राणाञ्जह्यां हि ते कृते ॥

na te saumya bhayaṃ kāryaṃ jīviṣyasi yathā purā | ahaṃ tvāmuddhariṣyāmi prāṇāñjahyāṃ hi te kṛte

Have no fear, gentle friend; you will live as before. I shall lift you out of this, and I would even give up my life for your sake.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a recension variant of CE 12.136.49a (na te saumya viṣattavyaṃ).

Verse 52 (12.138.52)

अस्ति कश्चिदुपायोऽत्र पुष्कल प्रतिभाति मे । येन शक्यस्त्वया मोक्षः प्राप्तुं श्रेयस्तथा मया ॥

asti kaścidupāyo'tra puṣkala pratibhāti me | yena śakyastvayā mokṣaḥ prāptuṃ śreyastathā mayā

There is a way here that seems to me a full one, by which you can be released and I too can gain my good.

Note on the text: Corrected प्राप्नुं → प्राप्तुं (misprint in Wikisource; CE prāptuṃ). श्रेयस्तथा मया is a recension variant of CE śreyo yathā mayā.

Verse 53 (12.138.53)

मयाऽप्युपायो दृष्टोऽयं विचार्य मतिमात्मनः । आत्मार्थं च त्वदर्थं च श्रेयः साधारणं हि नौ ॥

mayā'pyupāyo dṛṣṭo'yaṃ vicārya matimātmanaḥ | ātmārthaṃ ca tvadarthaṃ ca śreyaḥ sādhāraṇaṃ hi nau

I have seen this way after weighing it in my own mind. It serves my interest and yours, for what is good for us is shared.

Note on the text: Corrected साधारणां → साधारणं (misprint in Wikisource; श्रेयः is neuter, and the same phrase in verse 50 reads साधारणं; CE sādhāraṇaṃ).

Verse 54 (12.138.54)

इदं हि नकुलोलूकं पापबुद्ध्या हि संस्थितम् । न धर्षयति मार्जार तेन ते स्वस्ति सांप्रतम् ॥

idaṃ hi nakulolūkaṃ pāpabuddhyā hi saṃsthitam | na dharṣayati mārjāra tena te svasti sāṃpratam

The mongoose and the owl stand here with evil intent, yet they do not dare attack you, cat; that is why you are safe for now.

Verse 55 (12.138.55)

कूजंश्चपलनेत्रोऽयं कौशिको मां निरीक्षते । नगशाखाग्रगः पापस्तस्याहं भृशमुद्विजे ॥

kūjaṃścapalanetro'yaṃ kauśiko māṃ nirīkṣate | nagaśākhāgragaḥ pāpastasyāhaṃ bhṛśamudvije

That owl, hooting, with restless eyes, perched at the tip of the branch, wicked, is watching me; I am very much afraid of him.

Verse 56 (12.138.56)

सतां साप्तपदं मैत्रं स सखा मेऽसि पण्डितः । साहाय्यकं करिष्यामि नास्ति ते प्राणतो भयम् ॥

satāṃ sāptapadaṃ maitraṃ sa sakhā me'si paṇḍitaḥ | sāhāyyakaṃ kariṣyāmi nāsti te prāṇato bhayam

Friendship among good men is made by walking seven steps together; you are my friend, and a wise one. I shall help you; you have nothing to fear for your life from me.

Note on the text: Recension variant of CE 12.136.54 (स सखा मेऽसि पण्डितः, साहाय्यकं against CE savāso me 'si paṇḍitaḥ, sāṃvāsyakaṃ).

Verse 57 (12.138.57)

न हि शक्तोऽसि मार्जार पाशं छेत्तुं मया विना । अहं छेत्स्यामि पाशांस्ते यदि मां त्वं न हिंससि ॥

na hi śakto'si mārjāra pāśaṃ chettuṃ mayā vinā | ahaṃ chetsyāmi pāśāṃste yadi māṃ tvaṃ na hiṃsasi

You cannot cut the snare without me, cat. I shall cut your cords, if you do not kill me.

Verse 58 (12.138.58)

त्वमाश्रितो द्रुमस्याग्रं मूलं त्वहमुपाश्रितः । चिरोषितावुभावावां वृक्षेऽस्मिन्विदितं च ते ॥

tvamāśrito drumasyāgraṃ mūlaṃ tvahamupāśritaḥ | ciroṣitāvubhāvāvāṃ vṛkṣe'sminviditaṃ ca te

You live at the top of the tree and I at its root; we have both lived on this tree for a long time, as you know.

Verse 59 (12.138.59)

यस्मिन्नाश्वासते कश्चिद्यश्च नाश्वसिति क्वचित् । न तौ धीराः प्रशंसन्ति नित्यमुद्विग्नमानसौ ॥

yasminnāśvāsate kaścidyaśca nāśvasiti kvacit | na tau dhīrāḥ praśaṃsanti nityamudvignamānasau

The steady do not praise the man in whom no one trusts, nor the man who trusts no one; both are always troubled in mind.

Note on the text: Corrected नित्यमुद्विग्रमानसौ → नित्यमुद्विग्नमानसौ (misprint in Wikisource; CE udvignacetasau, and उद्विग्र is not a word).

Verse 60 (12.138.60)

तस्माद्विवर्धतां प्रीतिर्नित्यं संगतमस्तु नौ । कालातीतमिहार्थं हि न प्रशंसन्ति पण्डिताः ॥

tasmādvivardhatāṃ prītirnityaṃ saṃgatamastu nau | kālātītamihārthaṃ hi na praśaṃsanti paṇḍitāḥ

So let our affection grow and let our bond always last. The wise do not praise an aim that is let slip beyond its time.

Note on the text: Recension variant of CE 12.136.58 (नित्यं संगतमस्तु नौ against CE satyā saṃgatir astu nau; कालातीतमिहार्थं against CE kālātītam apārthaṃ).

Verse 61 (12.138.61)

अर्थयुक्तिमिमां तत्र यथाभूतां निशामय । तव जीवितमिच्छामि त्वं ममेच्छसि जीवितम् ॥

arthayuktimimāṃ tatra yathābhūtāṃ niśāmaya | tava jīvitamicchāmi tvaṃ mamecchasi jīvitam

Now listen to this argument from our common interest, exactly as it is: I wish you to live, and you wish me to live.

Verse 62 (12.138.62)

कश्चित्तरति काष्ठेन सुगम्भीरां महानदीम् । स तारयति तत्काष्ठं स च काष्ठेन तार्यते ॥

kaścittarati kāṣṭhena sugambhīrāṃ mahānadīm | sa tārayati tatkāṣṭhaṃ sa ca kāṣṭhena tāryate

A man crosses a very deep great river on a log; the log carries him over, and he is carried over by the log.

Verse 63 (12.138.63)

ईदृशो नौ क्रियायोगो भविष्यति सुविस्तरः । अहं त्वां तारयिष्यामि मां च त्वं तारयिष्यसि ॥

īdṛśo nau kriyāyogo bhaviṣyati suvistaraḥ | ahaṃ tvāṃ tārayiṣyāmi māṃ ca tvaṃ tārayiṣyasi

Such will be the working together of us two, and a far-reaching one: I shall take you across, and you will take me across.

Verse 64 (12.138.64)

एवमुक्त्वा तु पलितस्तमर्थमुभयोर्हितम् । हेतुमद्ग्रहणीयं च कालापेक्षी व्यतिष्ठत ॥

evamuktvā tu palitastamarthamubhayorhitam | hetumadgrahaṇīyaṃ ca kālāpekṣī vyatiṣṭhata

Having said this, which served the interest of both and was reasoned and worth accepting, Palita waited, watching for the right time.

Verse 65 (12.138.65)

अथ सुव्याहृतं श्रुत्वा तस्य शत्रोर्विचक्षणः । हेतुमद्ग्रहणीयार्थं मार्जारो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

atha suvyāhṛtaṃ śrutvā tasya śatrorvicakṣaṇaḥ | hetumadgrahaṇīyārthaṃ mārjāro vākyamabravīt

Then the shrewd cat, hearing the well-spoken words of his enemy, whose sense was reasoned and acceptable, replied.

Note on the text: Removed a stray zero-width non-joiner (U+200C) printed inside हेतुमद्ग्रहणीयार्थं.

Verse 66 (12.138.66)

बुद्धिमान्वाक्यसंपन्नस्तद्वाक्यमनुवर्तयन् । स्वामवस्थां प्रतीक्ष्यैनं साम्नैव प्रत्यपूजयत् ॥

buddhimānvākyasaṃpannastadvākyamanuvartayan | svāmavasthāṃ pratīkṣyainaṃ sāmnaiva pratyapūjayat

Intelligent and gifted in speech, taking up his words and looking to his own plight, he answered him with kind words.

Note on the text: Line 2 स्वामवस्थां प्रतीक्ष्यैनं is a recension variant of CE tām avasthām avekṣyāntyāṃ.

Verse 67 (12.138.67)

ततस्तीक्ष्णाग्रदशनो मणिवैदूर्यलोचनः । मूषिकं मन्दमुद्वीक्ष्य मार्जारो लोमशोऽब्रवीत् ॥

tatastīkṣṇāgradaśano maṇivaidūryalocanaḥ | mūṣikaṃ mandamudvīkṣya mārjāro lomaśo'bravīt

Then the cat Lomasha, with sharp-pointed teeth and eyes like cat's-eye gems, looked gently at the mouse and said:

Note on the text: Corrected अब्रबीत् → अब्रवीत् (misprint in Wikisource; CE abravīt).

Verse 68 (12.138.68)

नन्दामि सौम्य भद्रं ते यो मां जीवितुमिच्छसि । श्रेयश्च यदि जानीषे क्रियतां मा विचारय ॥

nandāmi saumya bhadraṃ te yo māṃ jīvitumicchasi | śreyaśca yadi jānīṣe kriyatāṃ mā vicāraya

I am glad, gentle friend; blessings on you, since you wish me to live. If you know what is best, let it be done; do not hesitate.

Verse 69 (12.138.69)

अहं हि भृशमापन्नस्त्वमापन्नतरो मया । द्वयोरापन्नयोः सन्धिः क्रियतां मा चिराय च ॥

ahaṃ hi bhṛśamāpannastvamāpannataro mayā | dvayorāpannayoḥ sandhiḥ kriyatāṃ mā cirāya ca

I am in deep trouble, but you are in worse trouble than I. Let peace be made between us two who are both in trouble; do not delay.

Verse 70 (12.138.70)

विधत्स्व प्राप्तकालं यत्कार्थं सिध्यतु चावयोः । मयि कृच्छ्राद्विनिर्मुक्ते न विनङ्क्ष्यति ते कृतम् ॥

vidhatsva prāptakālaṃ yatkārthaṃ sidhyatu cāvayoḥ | mayi kṛcchrādvinirmukte na vinaṅkṣyati te kṛtam

Do what the moment requires, so that our task may succeed. Once I am freed from this distress, what you have done will not be lost.

Verse 71 (12.138.71)

न्यस्तमानोस्मि भक्तोस्मि शिष्यस्त्वद्धितकृत्तथा । तथा निदेशवर्ती च भवन्तं शरणं गतः ॥

nyastamānosmi bhaktosmi śiṣyastvaddhitakṛttathā | tathā nideśavartī ca bhavantaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ

I have laid down my pride; I am devoted to you, your pupil, doing what is good for you and obedient to your command. I have come to you for refuge.

Verse 72 (12.138.72)

इत्येवमुक्तः पलितो मार्जारं वशमागतम् । वाक्यं हितमुवाचेदमभिजातार्थमर्थवित् ॥

ityevamuktaḥ palito mārjāraṃ vaśamāgatam | vākyaṃ hitamuvācedamabhijātārthamarthavit

Thus addressed, Palita, who understood his aim, spoke these beneficial and well-judged words to the cat who had come under his sway.

Verse 73 (12.138.73)

उदारं यद्भवानाह नैतच्चित्रं भवद्विधे । विहितो यस्तु मार्गो मे हितार्थं शृणु तं मम ॥

udāraṃ yadbhavānāha naitaccitraṃ bhavadvidhe | vihito yastu mārgo me hitārthaṃ śṛṇu taṃ mama

What you say is generous, and it is no wonder in one like you. Now hear from me the course I have worked out for our good.

Verse 74 (12.138.74)

अहं त्वाऽनुप्रवेक्ष्यामि नकुलान्मे महद्भयम् । त्रायस्व मां मा वधीश्च शक्तोऽस्मि तव रक्षणे ॥

ahaṃ tvā'nupravekṣyāmi nakulānme mahadbhayam | trāyasva māṃ mā vadhīśca śakto'smi tava rakṣaṇe

I shall creep in beneath you, for I have great fear of the mongoose. Protect me and do not kill me; I am able to save you.

Verse 75 (12.138.75)

उलूकाच्चैव मां रक्ष क्षुद्रः प्रार्थयते हि माम् । अहं छेत्स्यामि ते पाशान्सखे सत्येन ते शपे ॥

ulūkāccaiva māṃ rakṣa kṣudraḥ prārthayate hi mām | ahaṃ chetsyāmi te pāśānsakhe satyena te śape

And guard me from the owl too, for that wretch is after me. I shall cut your cords, friend; I swear it to you by truth.

Note on the text: Corrected सत्येने → सत्येन (misprint in Wikisource; doubled vowel mark, CE satyena).

Verse 76 (12.138.76)

तद्वचः संगतं श्रुत्वा लोमशो युक्तमर्थवत् । हर्षादुद्वीक्ष्य पलितं स्वागतेनाभ्यपूजयत् ॥

tadvacaḥ saṃgataṃ śrutvā lomaśo yuktamarthavat | harṣādudvīkṣya palitaṃ svāgatenābhyapūjayat

Hearing those fitting and meaningful words, Lomasha looked at Palita with joy and welcomed him with a greeting.

Verse 77 (12.138.77)

तं संपूज्याथ पलितं मार्जारः सौहृदे स्थितम् । स विचिन्त्याब्रवीद्धीरः प्रीतस्त्वरित एव च ॥

taṃ saṃpūjyātha palitaṃ mārjāraḥ sauhṛde sthitam | sa vicintyābravīddhīraḥ prītastvarita eva ca

Having honored Palita, who stood firm in friendship, the steadfast cat, glad and in haste, reflected and said:

Verse 78 (12.138.78)

क्षिप्रमागच्छ भद्रं ते त्वं मे प्राणसमः सखा । तव प्राज्ञप्रसादाद्धि प्रियं प्राप्स्यामि जीवितम् ॥

kṣipramāgaccha bhadraṃ te tvaṃ me prāṇasamaḥ sakhā | tava prājñaprasādāddhi priyaṃ prāpsyāmi jīvitam

Come quickly, good fortune to you; you are as dear to me as my life, my friend. By your wise favour I shall soon regain the life I hold dear.

Verse 79 (12.138.79)

यद्यदेवंगतेनाद्य शक्यं कर्तुं मया तव । तदाज्ञापय कर्तास्मि सिद्धिरेवास्तु नौ सखे ॥

yadyadevaṃgatenādya śakyaṃ kartuṃ mayā tava | tadājñāpaya kartāsmi siddhirevāstu nau sakhe

Whatever I can do for you in the state I am in today, command it and I shall do it. Let our alliance succeed, friend.

Note on the text: Corrected तदाज्ञापस्य → तदाज्ञापय (misprint in Wikisource; imperative of ā-jñā-pay, CE tad ājñāpaya). Line 2 सिद्धिरेवास्तु नौ सखे is a recension variant of CE saṃdhir evāstu nau sakhe.

Verse 80 (12.138.80)

अस्मात्ते संशयान्मुक्तः समित्रगणबान्धवः । सर्वकार्याणि कर्ताऽहं प्रियाणि च हितानि च ॥

asmātte saṃśayānmuktaḥ samitragaṇabāndhavaḥ | sarvakāryāṇi kartā'haṃ priyāṇi ca hitāni ca

Freed from this peril, together with my friends and kinsmen, I shall do for you all that is pleasing and beneficial.

Verse 81 (12.138.81)

मुक्तश्च व्यसनादस्मात्सौम्याहमपि नाम ते । प्रीतिमुत्पादयेयं च प्रतिकर्तुं च शक्नुयाम् ॥

muktaśca vyasanādasmātsaumyāhamapi nāma te | prītimutpādayeyaṃ ca pratikartuṃ ca śaknuyām

And freed from this misfortune, gentle friend, may I be able to give you joy and to repay what you have done.

Note on the text: Corrected प्रीतिमुत्पादयेयं न → प्रीतिमुत्पादयेयं च (probable misprint in Wikisource; न would make Lomasha pray that he may fail to repay, against the sense of the whole speech; CE prītim utpādayeyaṃ ca pratikartuṃ ca śaknuyām).

Verse 82 (12.138.82)

प्रत्युपकुर्वन्बह्वपि न भाति पूर्वोपकारिणा तुल्यः । एकः करोति हि कृते निष्कारणमेव कुरुतेऽन्यः ॥

pratyupakurvanbahvapi na bhāti pūrvopakāriṇā tulyaḥ | ekaḥ karoti hi kṛte niṣkāraṇameva kurute'nyaḥ

One who repays, however much he gives, does not shine like the one who did the first kindness: the one acts when something has been done for him, the other acts for no reason at all.

Note on the text: Not in the critical text proper: the lines are the CE star passage 12.136.79d*0310_01-02.

Verse 83 (12.138.83)

एवमाश्वासितो विद्वान्मार्जारेण स मूषिकः । प्रविवेश सुविस्रब्धः सम्यगङ्गीचकार ह ॥

evamāśvāsito vidvānmārjāreṇa sa mūṣikaḥ | praviveśa suvisrabdhaḥ samyagaṅgīcakāra ha

Thus reassured by the cat, the wise mouse went in, quite without fear, and fully accepted the arrangement.

Note on the text: Corrected बिद्वान् → विद्वान् (misprint in Wikisource; CE vidvān). Line 1 = CE 12.136.81a; line 2 प्रविवेश सुविस्रब्धः सम्यगङ्गीचकार ह corresponds to CE 12.136.80c (praviveśa suvisrabdhaḥ samyag arthāṃś cacāra ha), with a different ending.

Verse 84 (12.138.84)

ग्राहयित्वा तु तं स्वार्थं मार्जारं मूषिकस्तथा । मार्जारोरसि विस्रब्धः सुष्वाप पितृमातृवत् ॥

grāhayitvā tu taṃ svārthaṃ mārjāraṃ mūṣikastathā | mārjārorasi visrabdhaḥ suṣvāpa pitṛmātṛvat

Having made the cat accept his own aim, the mouse, trusting, fell asleep on the cat's chest, like a child on its father's or mother's.

Note on the text: Line 1 = CE 12.136.80a; line 2 = CE 12.136.81c. The page interleaves the lines of the CE's two verses 80 and 81 across its own verses 83-84.

Verse 85 (12.138.85)

निलीनं तस्य गात्रेषु मार्जारस्याथ मूषिकम् । दृष्ट्वा तौ नकुलोलूकौ निराशौ प्रत्यपद्यताम् ॥

nilīnaṃ tasya gātreṣu mārjārasyātha mūṣikam | dṛṣṭvā tau nakulolūkau nirāśau pratyapadyatām

Seeing the mouse nestled against the cat's limbs, the mongoose and the owl lost all hope.

Verse 86 (12.138.86)

तथैव तौ सुसंत्रस्तौ दृढमागततन्द्रितौ । दृष्ट्वा तयोः परां प्रीतिं विस्मयं परमं गतौ ॥

tathaiva tau susaṃtrastau dṛḍhamāgatatandritau | dṛṣṭvā tayoḥ parāṃ prītiṃ vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatau

In the same way the two of them, badly frightened and thoroughly wearied, seeing the great affection between the pair, were struck with the greatest amazement.

Note on the text: Not in the critical text proper: the lines are the CE star passage 12.136.82d*0311_01-02.

Verse 87 (12.138.87)

बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च सुवृत्तौ चाप्युपासितौ । अशक्तौ तु नयात्तस्मात्संप्रधर्षयितुं बलात् ॥

balinau matimantau ca suvṛttau cāpyupāsitau | aśaktau tu nayāttasmātsaṃpradharṣayituṃ balāt

Strong and shrewd as they were, and of good conduct, and waiting close at hand, yet by that policy the two were unable to overpower the pair by force.

Note on the text: Not in the critical text proper: the lines are the CE star passage 12.136.82d*0311_03-04 (the same words stand as CE 12.136.113, matched by the alignment, and recur in this adhyaya as Wikisource's verse 120).

Verse 88 (12.138.88)

कार्यार्थं कृतसंधी तौ दृष्ट्वा मार्जारमूषिकौ । उलूकनकुलौ तूर्णं जग्मतुस्तौ स्वमालयम् ॥

kāryārthaṃ kṛtasaṃdhī tau dṛṣṭvā mārjāramūṣikau | ulūkanakulau tūrṇaṃ jagmatustau svamālayam

Seeing the cat and the mouse allied for their common purpose, the owl and the mongoose quickly went off, each to its own home.

Note on the text: Not in the critical text proper: the lines are the CE star passage 12.136.82d*0311_05-06 (the same words stand as CE 12.136.114, matched by the alignment, and recur in this adhyaya as Wikisource's verse 121).

Verse 89 (12.138.89)

लीनः स तस्य गात्रेषु पलितो देशकालवित् । चिच्छेद पाशान्नृपते कालाकाङ्क्षी शनैः शनैः ॥

līnaḥ sa tasya gātreṣu palito deśakālavit | ciccheda pāśānnṛpate kālākāṅkṣī śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

Hidden among his limbs, Palita, who knew the right place and time, cut the cords slowly, little by little, waiting for the moment, O king.

Verse 90 (12.138.90)

अथ बन्धपरिक्लिष्टो मार्जारो वीक्ष्य मूषिकम् । छिन्दन्तं वै तदा पाशानत्वरन्तं त्वरान्वितः ॥

atha bandhaparikliṣṭo mārjāro vīkṣya mūṣikam | chindantaṃ vai tadā pāśānatvarantaṃ tvarānvitaḥ

Then the cat, tormented by his bonds, looked at the mouse, who was cutting the cords without hurry, and in his own haste he...

Verse 91 (12.138.91)

तमत्वरन्तं पलितं पाशानां छेदने तदा । संचोदयितुमारेभे मार्जारो मूषिकं ततः ॥

tamatvarantaṃ palitaṃ pāśānāṃ chedane tadā | saṃcodayitumārebhe mārjāro mūṣikaṃ tataḥ

...began to urge on Palita, who was not hurrying over the cutting of the cords.

Verse 92 (12.138.92)

किं सौम्य नातित्वरसे किं कृतार्थोऽवमन्यसे । छिन्धि पाशानमित्रघ्न पुरा श्वपच एति सः ॥

kiṃ saumya nātitvarase kiṃ kṛtārtho'vamanyase | chindhi pāśānamitraghna purā śvapaca eti saḥ

Why, friend, do you not hurry? Now that your aim is achieved, do you slight me? Cut the cords, destroyer of foes; the dog-eater will be here soon.

Verse 93 (12.138.93)

इत्युक्तस्त्वरताऽनेन मतिमान्पलितोऽब्रवीत् । मार्जारमकृतप्रज्ञं तथ्यमात्महितं वचः ॥

ityuktastvaratā'nena matimānpalito'bravīt | mārjāramakṛtaprajñaṃ tathyamātmahitaṃ vacaḥ

Urged on thus by the hasty cat, the wise Palita answered him, who lacked understanding, with true words that served his own good.

Verse 94 (12.138.94)

तूष्णीं भव न ते सौम्य त्वरा कार्या न संभ्रमः । वयमेवात्र कालज्ञा न कालः परिहास्यते ॥

tūṣṇīṃ bhava na te saumya tvarā kāryā na saṃbhramaḥ | vayamevātra kālajñā na kālaḥ parihāsyate

Be quiet, friend; you need not hurry or be alarmed. We alone know the right time here, and the time will not be missed.

Verse 95 (12.138.95)

अकाले कृत्यमारब्धं कर्तुर्नार्थाय कल्पते । तदेव काल आरब्धं महतेऽर्थाय कल्पते ॥

akāle kṛtyamārabdhaṃ karturnārthāya kalpate | tadeva kāla ārabdhaṃ mahate'rthāya kalpate

Work begun at the wrong time does not bring the doer his reward, but the same work begun at the right time leads to great gain.

Verse 96 (12.138.96)

अकाले विप्रमुक्तान्मे त्वत्त एव भयं भवेत् । तस्मात्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व किमिति त्वरसे सखे ॥

akāle vipramuktānme tvatta eva bhayaṃ bhavet | tasmātkālaṃ pratīkṣasva kimiti tvarase sakhe

If I am freed at the wrong time, the danger would come to me from you. So wait for the time; why are you in such a hurry, friend?

Verse 97 (12.138.97)

यावत्पश्यामि चण्डालमायान्तं शस्त्रपाणिनम् । ततश्छेत्स्यामि ते पाशान्प्राप्ते साधारणे भये ॥

yāvatpaśyāmi caṇḍālamāyāntaṃ śastrapāṇinam | tataśchetsyāmi te pāśānprāpte sādhāraṇe bhaye

When I see the Chandala coming with a weapon in his hand, then, when the danger is shared by us both, I shall cut your cords.

Verse 98 (12.138.98)

तस्मिन्काले प्रमुक्तस्त्वं तरुमेवाधिरोक्ष्यसे । न हि ते जीवितादन्यत्किंचित्कृत्यं भविष्यति ॥

tasminkāle pramuktastvaṃ tarumevādhirokṣyase | na hi te jīvitādanyatkiṃcitkṛtyaṃ bhaviṣyati

Freed at that moment, you will climb straight up the tree; you will have nothing else to do but save your life.

Verse 99 (12.138.99)

तस्मिन्कालेऽपि च भवान्दिवाकीर्तिभयार्दितः । मम न ग्रहणे शक्तः पलायनपरायणः ॥

tasminkāle'pi ca bhavāndivākīrtibhayārditaḥ | mama na grahaṇe śaktaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ

Even then you, stricken with fear of the Chandala, will be unable to seize me, being bent on flight.

Note on the text: Corrected तता → भवान् (misprint in Wikisource; the sentence needs a subject, and the CE has bhavān divākīrtibhayānvitaḥ) and removed the stray ।।' printed after line 2. The page prints the same verse again as 12-138-113 (CE 12.136.106, where it belongs); here it is kept as the page's own verse 99 (labelled 12-138-99a,b). Line 1 भयार्दितः is a recension variant of CE bhayānvitaḥ.

Verse 100 (12.138.100)

ततो भवत्यपक्रान्ते त्रस्ते भीते च लुब्धकात् । अहं बिलं प्रवेक्ष्यामि भवाञ्शाखां गमिष्यति ॥

tato bhavatyapakrānte traste bhīte ca lubdhakāt | ahaṃ bilaṃ pravekṣyāmi bhavāñśākhāṃ gamiṣyati

Then, when you have run off, frightened and terrified of the hunter, I shall enter my hole and you will go to the branch.

Verse 101 (12.138.101)

एवमुक्तस्तु मार्जारो मूषिकेणात्मनो हितम् । वचनं वाक्यतत्त्वज्ञो जीवितार्थी महामतिः ॥

evamuktastu mārjāro mūṣikeṇātmano hitam | vacanaṃ vākyatattvajño jīvitārthī mahāmatiḥ

Thus addressed by the mouse for his own good, the cat, great-minded, who understood the force of the words and wanted to live,

Verse 102 (12.138.102)

अथात्मकृत्ये त्वरितः सम्यक्प्रार्थितमाचरन् । उवाच लोमशो वाक्यं मूषिकं चिरकारिणम् ॥

athātmakṛtye tvaritaḥ samyakprārthitamācaran | uvāca lomaśo vākyaṃ mūṣikaṃ cirakāriṇam

...hurried over his own business, but kept to what had been asked of him, and Lomasha said to the slow-working mouse:

Note on the text: Corrected चिरकारिणाम् → चिरकारिणम् (misprint in Wikisource; accusative singular agreeing with मूषिकम्, CE cirakāriṇam). Line 1 सम्यक्प्रार्थितमाचरन् is a recension variant of CE samyak praśrayam ācaran.

Verse 103 (12.138.103)

नह्येवं मित्रकार्याणि प्रीत्या कुर्वन्ति साधवः ॥

nahyevaṃ mitrakāryāṇi prītyā kurvanti sādhavaḥ

Good men do not carry out the business of friends like this, with affection.

Note on the text: Printed as a single line on the page (label 12-138-103a only) = CE 12.136.96a; the next verse holds CE lines 96c, 97a and 97c.

Verse 104 (12.138.104)

यथा त्वं मोक्षितः कृच्छ्रात्त्वरमाणेन वै मया । तथा हि त्वरमाणेन त्वया कार्यमिदं मम । यत्नं कुरु महाप्राज्ञ यथा स्वस्त्यावयोर्भवेत् ॥

yathā tvaṃ mokṣitaḥ kṛcchrāttvaramāṇena vai mayā | tathā hi tvaramāṇena tvayā kāryamidaṃ mama | yatnaṃ kuru mahāprājña yathā svastyāvayorbhavet

Just as you were rescued from distress by me, who made haste, so you too should do this task for me in haste. Make the effort, wise one, so that we both may be safe.

Note on the text: Three-line verse, as on the page (label 12-138-104a,b,c) = CE 12.136.96c, 97a and 97c; line 2 तथा हि त्वरमाणेन त्वया कार्यमिदं मम is a recension variant of CE tathaiva tvaramāṇena tvayā kāryaṃ hitaṃ mama.

Verse 105 (12.138.105)

अथवा पूर्ववैरं त्वं स्मरन्कालं जिहीर्षसि । पश्य दुष्कृतकर्मंस्त्वं व्यक्तमायुःक्षयो मम ॥

athavā pūrvavairaṃ tvaṃ smarankālaṃ jihīrṣasi | paśya duṣkṛtakarmaṃstvaṃ vyaktamāyuḥkṣayo mama

Or are you remembering our old enmity and wishing to let the time run out? Look, you evildoer: it is plain that my life is ending.

Note on the text: Recension variant of CE 12.136.98 (जिहीर्षसि against CE vikarṣasi; the page's footnote cites चिकीर्षसि as another reading).

Verse 106 (12.138.106)

यदि किंचिन्मयाऽज्ञानात्पुरस्ताद्दुष्कृतं कृतम् । न तन्मनसि कर्तव्यं क्षामये त्वां प्रसीद मे ॥

yadi kiṃcinmayā'jñānātpurastādduṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam | na tanmanasi kartavyaṃ kṣāmaye tvāṃ prasīda me

If in ignorance I ever did you some wrong in the past, do not keep it in mind. I beg your pardon; be kind to me.

Verse 107 (12.138.107)

तमेवंवादिनं प्राज्ञं शास्त्रविद्बुद्धिसत्तमः । उवाचेदं वचः श्रेष्ठं मार्जारं मूषिकस्तदा ॥

tamevaṃvādinaṃ prājñaṃ śāstravidbuddhisattamaḥ | uvācedaṃ vacaḥ śreṣṭhaṃ mārjāraṃ mūṣikastadā

To him who spoke thus, the mouse, wise, learned in the treatises and foremost in understanding, then made this excellent reply.

Verse 108 (12.138.108)

श्रुतं मे तव मार्जार स्वमर्थं परिगृह्णतः । ममापि त्वं विजानासि स्वमर्थं परिगृह्णतः ॥

śrutaṃ me tava mārjāra svamarthaṃ parigṛhṇataḥ | mamāpi tvaṃ vijānāsi svamarthaṃ parigṛhṇataḥ

I have heard you, cat, as you look after your own interest; know that I too am looking after mine.

Verse 109 (12.138.109)

यन्मित्रं भीतवत्साध्यं यस्मिन्मित्रे भयं हितम् । आरक्षितं ततः कार्यं पाणिः सर्पमुखादिव ॥

yanmitraṃ bhītavatsādhyaṃ yasminmitre bhayaṃ hitam | ārakṣitaṃ tataḥ kāryaṃ pāṇiḥ sarpamukhādiva

A friend must be handled as one would handle someone one fears, a friend of whom wariness is wise must be kept well guarded, as a hand is kept away from a serpent's mouth.

Note on the text: Lines are a recension variant of CE 12.136.102 (यस्मिन्मित्रे भयं हितम् against CE yan mitraṃ bhayasaṃhitam; आरक्षितम् against surakṣitam).

Verse 110 (12.138.110)

कृत्वा बलवता संधिमात्मानं यो न रक्षति । अपथ्यमिव तद्भुक्तं तस्यानर्थाय कल्पते ॥

kṛtvā balavatā saṃdhimātmānaṃ yo na rakṣati | apathyamiva tadbhuktaṃ tasyānarthāya kalpate

He who, having made peace with a strong one, does not protect himself, finds that it turns to his harm, like unwholesome food that has been eaten.

Note on the text: Corrected तस्यार्थाय → तस्यानर्थाय (misprint in Wikisource; dropped नर्, which reverses the sense: unwholesome food conduces to harm, CE tasyānarthāya).

Verse 111 (12.138.111)

कश्चित्कस्यचिन्मित्रं न कश्चित्कस्यचिद्रिपुः । अर्थतस्तु निबध्यन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा ॥

kaścitkasyacinmitraṃ na kaścitkasyacidripuḥ | arthatastu nibadhyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā

No one is anyone's friend, and no one is anyone's enemy; it is through interest that friends and enemies are bound to one another.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.104a (Wikisource रिपुः for CE suhṛt); line 2 is the CE star line 12.136.104b*0312_01 (arthatas tu nibadhyante mitrāṇi ripavas tathā).

Verse 112 (12.138.112)

अर्थैरर्था निबध्यन्ते गजैरिव महागजाः । न च कश्चित्कृते कार्ये कर्तारं समवेक्षते । तस्मात्सर्वाणि कार्याणि सावशेषाणि कारयेत् ॥

arthairarthā nibadhyante gajairiva mahāgajāḥ | na ca kaścitkṛte kārye kartāraṃ samavekṣate | tasmātsarvāṇi kāryāṇi sāvaśeṣāṇi kārayet

As great elephants are bound by elephants, so wealth is bound by wealth. And when a task is done, no one looks to the one who did it; therefore a man should have every task carried out with something still left over.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Three-line verse as on the page: line 1 = CE 12.136.104c (Wikisource महागजाः for CE vanagajāḥ), lines 2-3 = CE 12.136.105a, 105c (न च for CE na hi).

Verse 113 (12.138.113)

तस्मिन्कालेऽपि च भवान्दिवाकीर्तिभयार्दितः । मम न ग्रहणे शक्तः पलायनपरायणः ॥

tasminkāle'pi ca bhavāndivākīrtibhayārditaḥ | mama na grahaṇe śaktaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ

Even at that time, tormented by fear of the outcaste, you were unable to seize me, being bent only on flight.

Note on the text: Corrected पलायपरायणः → पलायनपरायणः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped न, which the metre and CE palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ confirm). The alignment found no match; the verse is CE 12.136.106 (Wikisource भयार्दितः for CE bhayānvitaḥ is a variant).

Verse 114 (12.138.114)

छिन्नं तु तन्तुबाहुल्यं तन्तुरेकोऽवशेषितः । छेत्स्याम्यहं तमप्याशु निर्वृतो भव लोमश ॥

chinnaṃ tu tantubāhulyaṃ tantureko'vaśeṣitaḥ | chetsyāmyahaṃ tamapyāśu nirvṛto bhava lomaśa

Of the many strands, one strand is left. I shall cut that one too at once; be at ease, Lomasha.

Verse 115 (12.138.115)

तयोः संवदतोरेवं तथैवापन्नयोर्द्वयोः । क्षयं जगाम सा रात्रिर्लोमशं त्वागमद्भयम् ॥

tayoḥ saṃvadatorevaṃ tathaivāpannayordvayoḥ | kṣayaṃ jagāma sā rātrirlomaśaṃ tvāgamadbhayam

While the two spoke thus, both alike in distress, that night wore away; and fear came upon Lomasha.

Verse 116 (12.138.116)

ततः प्रभातसमये विकटः कृष्णपिङ्गलः । स्थूलस्फिग्विकृतो रूक्षः श्वयूथपरिवारितः ॥

tataḥ prabhātasamaye vikaṭaḥ kṛṣṇapiṅgalaḥ | sthūlasphigvikṛto rūkṣaḥ śvayūthaparivāritaḥ

Then at the break of dawn there came into view a hideous man, dark and tawny, heavy-hipped, deformed and rough, surrounded by a pack of dogs,

Verse 117 (12.138.117)

शङ्कुकर्णो महावक्रः खनित्री घोरदर्शनः । परिघो नाम चण्डालः शस्त्रपाणिरदृश्यत ॥

śaṅkukarṇo mahāvakraḥ khanitrī ghoradarśanaḥ | parigho nāma caṇḍālaḥ śastrapāṇiradṛśyata

with ears like stakes and a huge mouth, a digging tool in his hand and a dreadful look: a Chandala named Parigha, weapon in hand.

Verse 118 (12.138.118)

तं दृष्ट्वा यमदूताभं मार्जारस्त्रस्तचेतनः । उवाच पलितं भीतः किमिदानीं करिष्यसि ॥

taṃ dṛṣṭvā yamadūtābhaṃ mārjārastrastacetanaḥ | uvāca palitaṃ bhītaḥ kimidānīṃ kariṣyasi

Seeing him, who looked like a messenger of Yama, the cat, his mind stricken with terror, said fearfully to Palita, "What will you do now?"

Verse 119 (12.138.119)

तथैव च सुसंत्रस्तौ तं दृष्ट्वा घोरसंकुलम् । क्षणेन नकुलोलूकौ नैराश्यमुपजग्मतुः ॥

tathaiva ca susaṃtrastau taṃ dṛṣṭvā ghorasaṃkulam | kṣaṇena nakulolūkau nairāśyamupajagmatuḥ

In the same way the mongoose and the owl, greatly terrified at the sight of that dreadful throng, lost all hope in a moment.

Verse 120 (12.138.120)

बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च संघातं चाप्युपागतौ । अशक्तौ सुनयात्तस्मात्संप्रधर्षयितुं बलात् ॥

balinau matimantau ca saṃghātaṃ cāpyupāgatau | aśaktau sunayāttasmātsaṃpradharṣayituṃ balāt

Strong and clever, and joined together as they were, the two were nevertheless unable, because of that sound strategy, to overpower the pair by force.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.113 (Wikisource अशक्तौ for CE aśakyau is a variant).

Verse 121 (12.138.121)

कार्यार्थे कृतसंधी तौ दृष्ट्वा मार्जारमूषिकौ । उलूकनकुलौ तूर्णं जग्मतुः स्वंस्वमालयम् ॥

kāryārthe kṛtasaṃdhī tau dṛṣṭvā mārjāramūṣikau | ulūkanakulau tūrṇaṃ jagmatuḥ svaṃsvamālayam

Seeing the cat and the mouse, who had made a pact for their common purpose, the owl and the mongoose quickly went off, each to his own home.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.114 (Wikisource कार्यार्थे for CE kāryārthaṃ is a variant).

Verse 122 (12.138.122)

ततश्चिच्छेद तं तन्तुं मार्जारस्य स मूषिकः । विप्रमुक्तोऽथ मार्जारस्तमेवाभ्यपतद्दुमम् ॥

tataściccheda taṃ tantuṃ mārjārasya sa mūṣikaḥ | vipramukto'tha mārjārastamevābhyapataddumam

Then the mouse cut that strand of the cat's snare, and the freed cat sprang straight back into that same tree.

Verse 123 (12.138.123)

स तस्मात्संभ्रमान्मुक्तो मुक्तो घोरेण शत्रुणा । बिलं विवेश पलितः शाखां लेभे स लोमशः ॥

sa tasmātsaṃbhramānmukto mukto ghoreṇa śatruṇā | bilaṃ viveśa palitaḥ śākhāṃ lebhe sa lomaśaḥ

Released from that panic, released from the fearsome enemy, Palita slipped into his hole, and Lomasha reached a branch.

Note on the text: Corrected सत्रुणा → शत्रुणा (misprint in Wikisource; स for श; CE śatruṇā).

Verse 124 (12.138.124)

उन्माथमप्युपादाय चण्डालो वीक्ष्य सर्वशः । विहताशः क्षणेनैव तस्माद्देशादपाक्रमत् । जगाम स स्वभवनं चण्डालो भरतर्षभ ॥

unmāthamapyupādāya caṇḍālo vīkṣya sarvaśaḥ | vihatāśaḥ kṣaṇenaiva tasmāddeśādapākramat | jagāma sa svabhavanaṃ caṇḍālo bharatarṣabha

The Chandala picked up his snare and looked about on every side; his hope dashed, he withdrew from that place in a moment, and went to his own home, O best of the Bharatas.

Verse 125 (12.138.125)

ततस्तस्माद्भयान्मुक्तो दुर्लभं प्राप्य जीवितम् । बिलस्थं पादपाग्रस्थः पलितं लोमशोऽब्रवीत् ॥

tatastasmādbhayānmukto durlabhaṃ prāpya jīvitam | bilasthaṃ pādapāgrasthaḥ palitaṃ lomaśo'bravīt

Then, delivered from that fear and having won back a life hard to gain, Lomasha, at the top of the tree, spoke to Palita, who was in his hole.

Note on the text: Corrected तस्माद्भान्मुक्तो → तस्माद्भयान्मुक्तो (misprint in Wikisource; dropped य; CE bhayān mukto).

Verse 126 (12.138.126)

अकृत्वा संविदं कांचित्सहसा त्वमपस्रुतः । कृतज्ञः कृतकल्याणः कच्चिन्मां नाभिशङ्कसे ॥

akṛtvā saṃvidaṃ kāṃcitsahasā tvamapasrutaḥ | kṛtajñaḥ kṛtakalyāṇaḥ kaccinmāṃ nābhiśaṅkase

Without making any agreement, you suddenly slipped away. You, who are grateful and have been well served, surely do not suspect me?

Verse 127 (12.138.127)

गत्वा च मम विश्वासं दत्त्वा च मम जीवितम् । मित्रोपभोगसमये किं हि मां नोपसर्पसि ॥

gatvā ca mama viśvāsaṃ dattvā ca mama jīvitam | mitropabhogasamaye kiṃ hi māṃ nopasarpasi

Having won my trust and given me my life, why do you not come near me now, when it is the time to enjoy a friend's company?

Verse 128 (12.138.128)

कृत्वा हि पूर्वं मित्राणि यः पश्चान्नानुतिष्ठति । न स मित्राणि लभते कृच्छ्रात्स्वापत्सु दुर्मतिः ॥

kṛtvā hi pūrvaṃ mitrāṇi yaḥ paścānnānutiṣṭhati | na sa mitrāṇi labhate kṛcchrātsvāpatsu durmatiḥ

The ill-minded man who first makes friends and afterwards does not stand by them does not find friends, even with effort, in his own troubles.

Verse 129 (12.138.129)

सत्कृतोऽहं त्वया मित्र सामर्थ्यादात्मनः सखे । स मां मित्रत्वमापन्नमुपभोक्तुं त्वमर्हसि ॥

satkṛto'haṃ tvayā mitra sāmarthyādātmanaḥ sakhe | sa māṃ mitratvamāpannamupabhoktuṃ tvamarhasi

You honoured me, friend, as far as your own power allowed. So, now that I have come to be your friend, you ought to enjoy my company.

Note on the text: Corrected आत्मानः → आत्मनः (misprint in Wikisource; ātmānaḥ is not the form wanted here; CE ātmanaḥ).

Verse 130 (12.138.130)

यानि मे सन्ति मित्राणि ये च मे सन्ति बान्धवाः । सर्वे त्वां पूजयिष्यन्ति शिष्या गुरुमिव प्रियम् ॥

yāni me santi mitrāṇi ye ca me santi bāndhavāḥ | sarve tvāṃ pūjayiṣyanti śiṣyā gurumiva priyam

All the friends I have and all the kinsmen I have will honour you, as pupils honour a dear teacher.

Verse 131 (12.138.131)

अहं च पूजयिष्ये त्वां समित्रगणबान्धवम् । जीवितस्य प्रदातारं कृतज्ञः को न पूजयेत् ॥

ahaṃ ca pūjayiṣye tvāṃ samitragaṇabāndhavam | jīvitasya pradātāraṃ kṛtajñaḥ ko na pūjayet

And I shall honour you together with my friends and kinsfolk. Who that is grateful would not honour the giver of his life?

Verse 132 (12.138.132)

ईश्वरो मे भवानस्तु शरीरस्य गृहस्य च । अर्थानां चैव सर्वेषामनुशास्ता च मे भव ॥

īśvaro me bhavānastu śarīrasya gṛhasya ca | arthānāṃ caiva sarveṣāmanuśāstā ca me bhava

Be the master of my body and of my house, and of all my possessions; and be my counsellor.

Verse 133 (12.138.133)

अमात्यो मे भव प्राज्ञ पितेवेह प्रशाधि माम् । न तेऽस्ति भयमस्मत्तो जीवितेनात्मनः शपे ॥

amātyo me bhava prājña piteveha praśādhi mām | na te'sti bhayamasmatto jīvitenātmanaḥ śape

Be my minister, wise one, and instruct me as a father would. You have nothing to fear from me; I swear it by my own life.

Verse 134 (12.138.134)

बुद्ध्या त्वमुशना साक्षाद्बलेनाधिकृता वयम् । त्वं मन्त्रबलयुक्तो हि दद्या विजयमेव मे ॥

buddhyā tvamuśanā sākṣādbalenādhikṛtā vayam | tvaṃ mantrabalayukto hi dadyā vijayameva me

In intellect you are Ushanas himself, while in strength it is we who excel. Endowed with the power of counsel, you would surely win victory for me.

Verse 135 (12.138.135)

एवमुक्तः परं सान्त्वं मार्जारेण स मूषिकः । उवाच परमार्थज्ञः श्लक्ष्णमात्महितं वचः ॥

evamuktaḥ paraṃ sāntvaṃ mārjāreṇa sa mūṣikaḥ | uvāca paramārthajñaḥ ślakṣṇamātmahitaṃ vacaḥ

Thus addressed with such gentle words by the cat, the mouse, who knew the highest truth, spoke these smooth words that served his own good.

Verse 136 (12.138.136)

यद्भवानाह तत्सर्वं मया ते लोमश श्रुतम् । ममापि तावद्ब्रुवतः शृणु यत्प्रतिभाति मे ॥

yadbhavānāha tatsarvaṃ mayā te lomaśa śrutam | mamāpi tāvadbruvataḥ śṛṇu yatpratibhāti me

All that you have said, Lomasha, I have heard. Now hear what occurs to me as I speak in my turn.

Verse 137 (12.138.137)

वेदितव्यानि मित्राणि बोद्धव्याश्चापि शत्रवः । एतत्सुसूक्ष्मं लोकेऽस्मिन्दृश्यते प्राज्ञसंमतैः ॥

veditavyāni mitrāṇi boddhavyāścāpi śatravaḥ | etatsusūkṣmaṃ loke'smindṛśyate prājñasaṃmataiḥ

Friends must be understood, and enemies too must be recognised. This is the subtlest thing in the world, and it is seen only by those whom the wise respect.

Verse 138 (12.138.138)

शत्रुरूपा हि सुहृदो मित्ररूपाश्च शत्रवः । सान्त्वितास्ते न बुध्यन्ते रागलोभवशं गताः ॥

śatrurūpā hi suhṛdo mitrarūpāśca śatravaḥ | sāntvitāste na budhyante rāgalobhavaśaṃ gatāḥ

Friends wear the form of enemies, and enemies the form of friends; when soothed, those who have fallen under the sway of attachment and greed do not see it.

Verse 139 (12.138.139)

येषां सौम्यानि मित्राणि क्रोधनाश्चैव शत्रवः । सान्त्वितास्ते न बुध्यन्ते रागलोभवशंगताः ॥

yeṣāṃ saumyāni mitrāṇi krodhanāścaiva śatravaḥ | sāntvitāste na budhyante rāgalobhavaśaṃgatāḥ

Those whose friends are mild and whose enemies are wrathful, when they are soothed, do not see the truth, fallen as they are under the sway of attachment and greed.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Both lines are the CE star passage 12.136.131b*0313_01-02 (eṣāṃ saumyāni mitrāṇi krodhanāś caiva śatravaḥ / sāntvitās te na budhyante rāgalobhavaśaṃ gatāḥ); Wikisource has येषां for CE eṣāṃ, and line 2 repeats CE 131c.

Verse 140 (12.138.140)

नास्ति जात्या रिपुर्नाम मित्रं नाम न विद्यते । सामर्थ्ययोगाज्जायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा ॥

nāsti jātyā ripurnāma mitraṃ nāma na vidyate | sāmarthyayogājjāyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā

By birth there is no such thing as an enemy, and no friend exists; friends and enemies come to be through the play of power and need.

Verse 141 (12.138.141)

यो यस्मिञ्जीवति स्वार्थे पश्येत्पीडां न जीवति । स तस्य मित्रं तावत्स्याद्यावन्न स्याद्विपर्ययः ॥

yo yasmiñjīvati svārthe paśyetpīḍāṃ na jīvati | sa tasya mitraṃ tāvatsyādyāvanna syādviparyayaḥ

One who finds his own interest in another's living, and cannot live on seeing him in distress, is that man's friend only so long as no reversal comes.

Note on the text: Corrected स्यःद्यावन्न → स्याद्यावन्न (misprint in Wikisource; a visarga for the final त् of स्यात्; CE syād yāvan na). Line 1 differs much from CE 133a (svārthaṃ paśyet tāvat sa jīvati); kept as the page's reading, which scans, and translated as printed.

Verse 142 (12.138.142)

नास्ति मैत्री स्थिरा नाम न च ध्रुवमसौहृदम् । अर्थयुक्त्याऽनुजायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा ॥

nāsti maitrī sthirā nāma na ca dhruvamasauhṛdam | arthayuktyā'nujāyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā

No friendship is lasting, and no ill will is fixed; friends and enemies arise in keeping with interest.

Verse 143 (12.138.143)

मित्रं च शत्रुतामेति कस्मिंश्चित्कालपर्यये । शत्रुश्च मित्रतामेति स्वार्थो हि बलवत्तरः ॥

mitraṃ ca śatrutāmeti kasmiṃścitkālaparyaye | śatruśca mitratāmeti svārtho hi balavattaraḥ

In some turn of time a friend becomes an enemy, and an enemy becomes a friend; for self-interest is the stronger force.

Verse 144 (12.138.144)

यो विश्वसिति मित्रेषु न विश्वसिति शत्रुषु । अर्थयुक्तिमविज्ञाय चलितं तस्य जीवितम् ॥

yo viśvasiti mitreṣu na viśvasiti śatruṣu | arthayuktimavijñāya calitaṃ tasya jīvitam

He who trusts friends and does not trust enemies has not understood how interest works; his life stands on shaky ground.

Verse 145 (12.138.145)

मित्रे वा यदि वा शत्रौ तस्यापि चलिता मतिः । न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत् । विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नमपि मूलानि कृन्तति ॥

mitre vā yadi vā śatrau tasyāpi calitā matiḥ | na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset | viśvāsādbhayamutpannamapi mūlāni kṛntati

Whether toward friend or enemy, his judgement too has wavered. One should not trust the untrusting, nor trust too far the one who trusts; fear born of trust cuts away even the roots.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.137c; line 2 = CE 12.136.138a (Wikisource नातिविश्वसेत् for CE viśvaste 'pi na viśvaset); line 3 = CE 12.136.138c (Wikisource मूलानि कृन्तति for CE mūlāny api nikṛntati; the CE star 12.137.25b*0323_01 reads api mūlaṃ nikṛntati).

Verse 146 (12.138.146)

अर्थयुक्त्या हि जायन्ते पिता माता सुतस्तथा । मातुला भागिनेयाश्च तथा संबन्धिबान्धवाः ॥

arthayuktyā hi jāyante pitā mātā sutastathā | mātulā bhāgineyāśca tathā saṃbandhibāndhavāḥ

It is through the working of interest that father, mother and son come to be what they are, and likewise maternal uncles, nephews, in-laws and kinsmen.

Verse 147 (12.138.147)

पुत्रं हि मातापितरौ त्यजतः पतितं प्रियम् । लोको रक्षति चात्मानं पश्य स्वार्थस्य सारताम् ॥

putraṃ hi mātāpitarau tyajataḥ patitaṃ priyam | loko rakṣati cātmānaṃ paśya svārthasya sāratām

Parents abandon even a dear son who has fallen; the world looks to its own protection. See how self-interest is the essence of things.

Verse 148 (12.138.148)

सामान्या निष्कृतिः प्राज्ञ यो मोक्षात्समन्तरम् । कृत्यं मृगयते कर्तुं सुखोपायमसंशयम् ॥

sāmānyā niṣkṛtiḥ prājña yo mokṣātsamantaram | kṛtyaṃ mṛgayate kartuṃ sukhopāyamasaṃśayam

This, O wise one, is the common device: whoever, right after being set free, goes looking for his business to be done will surely seek the easiest way to do it.

Note on the text: Wikisource's wording differs considerably from CE 12.136.141 (taṃ manye nikṛtiprajñaṃ yo mokṣaṃ pratyanantaram / kṛtyaṃ mṛgayase kartuṃ sukhopāyam asaṃśayam); समन्तरम् is kept as the page's reading, and the verse translated as printed.

Verse 149 (12.138.149)

अस्मिन्निलय एवं त्वं न्यग्रोधादवतारितः । पूर्वं निविष्टमुन्माथं चपलत्वान्न बुद्धवान् ॥

asminnilaya evaṃ tvaṃ nyagrodhādavatāritaḥ | pūrvaṃ niviṣṭamunmāthaṃ capalatvānna buddhavān

You were brought down from the banyan tree into this very dwelling; through your fickleness you did not notice the snare that had been set here before.

Note on the text: Corrected चपलन्वान्न → चपलत्वान्न (misprint in Wikisource; न्व for त्व; CE capalatvān na).

Verse 150 (12.138.150)

आत्मनश्चपलो नास्ति कुतोऽन्येषां भविष्यति । तस्मात्सर्वाणि कार्याणि चपलो हन्त्यसंशयम् ॥

ātmanaścapalo nāsti kuto'nyeṣāṃ bhaviṣyati | tasmātsarvāṇi kāryāṇi capalo hantyasaṃśayam

A fickle man has no care even for himself; how then will he have it for others? Therefore the fickle man ruins every undertaking, without doubt.

Verse 151 (12.138.151)

ब्रवीषि मधुरं यच्च प्रियो मेऽद्य भवानिति । तन्मिथ्याकारणं सर्वं विस्तरेणापि मे शृणु ॥

bravīṣi madhuraṃ yacca priyo me'dya bhavāniti | tanmithyākāraṇaṃ sarvaṃ vistareṇāpi me śṛṇu

You speak sweetly, saying that you are dear to me today. All that rests on a false pretext; hear it from me in full.

Verse 152 (12.138.152)

कारणात्प्रियतामेति द्वेष्यो भवति कारणात् । अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं न कश्चित्कस्यचित्प्रियः ॥

kāraṇātpriyatāmeti dveṣyo bhavati kāraṇāt | arthārthī jīvaloko'yaṃ na kaścitkasyacitpriyaḥ

One becomes dear for a reason, and hateful for a reason. This world lives for its own ends; no one is dear to anyone.

Verse 153 (12.138.153)

सख्यं सोदर्ययोर्भ्रात्रोर्दंपत्योर्वा परस्परम् । कस्यचिन्नाभिजानामि प्रीतिं निष्कारणामिह ॥

sakhyaṃ sodaryayorbhrātrordaṃpatyorvā parasparam | kasyacinnābhijānāmi prītiṃ niṣkāraṇāmiha

Between brothers born of one womb, or between husband and wife, I know of no affection here that is without a cause.

Note on the text: Corrected भ्रात्रोदर्पंत्योर्वा → भ्रात्रोर्दंपत्योर्वा (misprint in Wikisource; a garbled conjunct and a lost visarga; CE bhrātror daṃpatyor vā).

Verse 154 (12.138.154)

यद्यपि भ्रातरः क्रुद्धा भार्या वा कारणान्तरे । स्वभावतस्ते प्रीयन्ते नेतरः प्राकृतो जनः ॥

yadyapi bhrātaraḥ kruddhā bhāryā vā kāraṇāntare | svabhāvataste prīyante netaraḥ prākṛto janaḥ

Even when brothers are angry, or a wife is angry for some other reason, they are won back by their nature; not so any other, a common person.

Verse 155 (12.138.155)

प्रियो भवति दानेन प्रियवादेन चापरः । मन्त्रहोमजपैरन्यः कार्यार्थे प्रीयते जनः ॥

priyo bhavati dānena priyavādena cāparaḥ | mantrahomajapairanyaḥ kāryārthe prīyate janaḥ

One becomes dear through a gift, another through pleasant words, another through spells, offerings and prayers; a man is pleased for the sake of some purpose.

Verse 156 (12.138.156)

उत्पन्ना कारणात्प्रीतिरासीन्नौ कारणान्तरे । प्रध्वस्ते कारणस्थाने सा प्रीतिर्नाभिवर्तते ॥

utpannā kāraṇātprītirāsīnnau kāraṇāntare | pradhvaste kāraṇasthāne sā prītirnābhivartate

Affection born of a cause existed between us for that other cause; when the ground of the cause is destroyed, that affection does not return.

Verse 157 (12.138.157)

किंनु तत्कारणं मन्ये येनाहं भवतः प्रियः । अन्यत्राभ्यवहारार्थात्तत्रापि च बुधा वयम् ॥

kiṃnu tatkāraṇaṃ manye yenāhaṃ bhavataḥ priyaḥ | anyatrābhyavahārārthāttatrāpi ca budhā vayam

What cause can there be, I wonder, for which I am dear to you? Apart from being something to eat, and even in that we know better.

Verse 158 (12.138.158)

कालो हेतुं विकुरुते स्वार्थस्तमनुवर्तते । स्वार्थं प्राज्ञोऽभिजानाति प्राज्ञं लोकोऽनुवर्तते । न त्वीदृशं त्वया वाच्यं विद्यते स्वार्थपण्डितः ॥

kālo hetuṃ vikurute svārthastamanuvartate | svārthaṃ prājño'bhijānāti prājñaṃ loko'nuvartate | na tvīdṛśaṃ tvayā vācyaṃ vidyate svārthapaṇḍitaḥ

Time shapes the cause, and self-interest follows it. The wise man knows his own interest, and the world follows the wise man. Such words are not for you to speak, who are so shrewd in your own interest.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Three-line verse as on the page: line 1 = CE 12.136.151a, line 2 = CE 151c, line 3 = CE 152a (Wikisource विद्यते स्वार्थपण्डितः for CE viduṣi svārthapaṇḍite; kept as a variant). Corrected स्वार्धं → स्वार्थं (misprint in Wikisource; ध for थ; CE svārthaṃ).

Verse 159 (12.138.159)

न कालो हि समर्थस्य स्नेहहेतुरयं तव । तस्मान्नाहं चले स्वार्थात्सुस्थितः संधिविग्रहे ॥

na kālo hi samarthasya snehaheturayaṃ tava | tasmānnāhaṃ cale svārthātsusthitaḥ saṃdhivigrahe

For one who is able, no season is needed; this fondness of yours has a motive behind it. Therefore I do not stir from my own interest, being well settled in peace and in war.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 is Wikisource's own wording in the place of CE 12.136.152c (akāle 'viṣamasthasya svārthahetur ayaṃ tava); line 2 = CE 12.136.153a. Kept as printed.

Verse 160 (12.138.160)

अभ्राणामिव रूपाणि विकुर्वन्ति पदेपदे । अद्यैव हि रिपुर्भूत्वा पुनरद्यैव मे सुहृत् । पुनश्च रिपुरद्यैव युक्तीनां पश्य चापलम् ॥

abhrāṇāmiva rūpāṇi vikurvanti padepade | adyaiva hi ripurbhūtvā punaradyaiva me suhṛt | punaśca ripuradyaiva yuktīnāṃ paśya cāpalam

Like clouds they change their shapes at every step. Today one is an enemy, and again today my friend, and again today an enemy; see the fickleness of such arrangements.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.153c; lines 2-3 = CE 12.136.154a, 154c. Corrected रुपाणि → रूपाणि (misprint in Wikisource; short for long ū; CE rūpāṇi). The page's footnote gives पुनरद्यैव सौहृदम् (as CE) as a variant of पुनरद्यैव मे सुहृत्; not adopted.

Verse 161 (12.138.161)

आसीन्मैत्री तु तावन्नौ यावद्धेतुरभूत्पुरा । सागता सह तेनैव कालयुक्तेन हेतुना ॥

āsīnmaitrī tu tāvannau yāvaddheturabhūtpurā | sāgatā saha tenaiva kālayuktena hetunā

There was friendship between us only so long as the cause existed before; it has gone along with that very cause, which was bound to its time.

Verse 162 (12.138.162)

त्वं हि मेऽत्यन्ततः शत्रुः सामर्थ्यान्मित्रतां गतः । तत्कृत्यमभिनिर्वर्त्य प्रकृतिः शत्रुतां गता ॥

tvaṃ hi me'tyantataḥ śatruḥ sāmarthyānmitratāṃ gataḥ | tatkṛtyamabhinirvartya prakṛtiḥ śatrutāṃ gatā

You were in truth always my enemy, and became a friend through the needs of the moment; now that the task is done, the natural state has turned back to enmity.

Verse 163 (12.138.163)

सोऽहमेवं प्रणीतानि ज्ञात्वा शास्त्राणि तत्त्वतः । प्रविशेयं कथं पाशं त्वत्कृते तद्ब्रवीहि मे ॥

so'hamevaṃ praṇītāni jñātvā śāstrāṇi tattvataḥ | praviśeyaṃ kathaṃ pāśaṃ tvatkṛte tadbravīhi me

Such as I am, knowing the treatises as they have truly been laid down, how could I enter a snare on your account? Tell me that.

Note on the text: Corrected प्राविशेयं → प्रविशेयं (misprint in Wikisource; the optative of praviś takes no augment, so the long ā is not a valid form; CE praviśeyaṃ).

Verse 164 (12.138.164)

त्वद्वीर्येण विमुक्तोऽहं मद्वीर्येण तथा भवान् । अन्योन्यानुग्रहे वृत्ते नास्ति भूयः समागमः ॥

tvadvīryeṇa vimukto'haṃ madvīryeṇa tathā bhavān | anyonyānugrahe vṛtte nāsti bhūyaḥ samāgamaḥ

I was freed by your strength, and you by mine. Now that we have helped each other, there is no further meeting between us.

Verse 165 (12.138.165)

त्वं हि सौम्य कृतार्थोऽद्य निवृत्तार्थास्तथा वयम् । न तेऽस्त्यद्य मया कृत्यं किंचिदन्यत्र भक्षणात् ॥

tvaṃ hi saumya kṛtārtho'dya nivṛttārthāstathā vayam | na te'styadya mayā kṛtyaṃ kiṃcidanyatra bhakṣaṇāt

You, gentle one, have gained your end today, and we have finished ours. You have no business with me today other than eating me.

Verse 166 (12.138.166)

अहमन्नं भवान्भोक्ता दुर्बलोऽहं भवान्बली । नावयोर्विद्यते संधिर्वियुक्ते विषमे बले ॥

ahamannaṃ bhavānbhoktā durbalo'haṃ bhavānbalī | nāvayorvidyate saṃdhirviyukte viṣame bale

I am the food and you are the eater; I am weak and you are strong. Between us, with our strengths so unequal and apart, there can be no alliance.

Verse 167 (12.138.167)

संमन्येऽहं तव प्रज्ञां यन्मोक्षात्प्रत्यनन्तरम् । भक्ष्यं मृगयते नूनं सुखोपायमसंशयम् ॥

saṃmanye'haṃ tava prajñāṃ yanmokṣātpratyanantaram | bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayate nūnaṃ sukhopāyamasaṃśayam

I admire your cleverness, that straight after release one goes hunting for food, doubtless by the easiest way.

Note on the text: Corrected स मन्येऽहं → संमन्येऽहं (misprint in Wikisource; the anusvara is lost and the word split; CE saṃmanye 'haṃ).

Verse 168 (12.138.168)

भक्ष्यार्थी ह्येव सुव्यक्तो विमुक्तः प्रसृतः क्षुधा । शास्त्रजां मतिमास्थाय प्रातराशमिहेच्छसि ॥

bhakṣyārthī hyeva suvyakto vimuktaḥ prasṛtaḥ kṣudhā | śāstrajāṃ matimāsthāya prātarāśamihecchasi

You are plainly eager for food: set free and driven on by hunger, you rely on a cleverness bred of the treatises and want your breakfast here.

Note on the text: Restored भक्ष्या at the start of line 1: Wikisource prints "--र्थी" with two lost syllables; the metre needs भ-क्ष्या before र्थी, and CE 12.136.162a has bhakṣyārtham eva at this place. The rest of the verse is Wikisource's own wording (CE 162: bhakṣyārtham eva baddhas tvaṃ sa muktaḥ prasṛtaḥ kṣudhā / śāstrajñam abhisaṃdhāya nūnaṃ bhakṣayitādya mām) and is kept as printed.

Verse 169 (12.138.169)

जानामि क्षुधितं च त्वामाहारसमयश्च ते । स त्वं मामभिसंधाय भक्ष्यं मृगयसे पुनः ॥

jānāmi kṣudhitaṃ ca tvāmāhārasamayaśca te | sa tvaṃ māmabhisaṃdhāya bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayase punaḥ

I know that you are hungry and that it is your mealtime; and you, having set your mind on me, are seeking your food again.

Verse 170 (12.138.170)

किंचात्र पुत्रदारार्थं यद्वाणीं सृजसे मयि । शुश्रूषां यतसे कर्तुं सखे मम तत्क्षमम् ॥

kiṃcātra putradārārthaṃ yadvāṇīṃ sṛjase mayi | śuśrūṣāṃ yatase kartuṃ sakhe mama tatkṣamam

And what is this about wife and sons, that you pour such talk upon me? You strive to wait on me, friend; that is fitting for me.

Note on the text: Wikisource's wording differs from CE 12.136.164 (yac cāpi putradāraṃ svaṃ tat saṃnisṛjase mayi / śuśrūṣāṃ nāma me kartuṃ sakhe mama na tatkṣamam; the CE has "not fitting" where Wikisource has "fitting"); kept as printed and translated as printed.

Verse 171 (12.138.171)

त्वया मां सहितं दृष्ट्वा प्रिया भार्या सुताश्च ये । कस्मात्ते मां न खादेयुः स्पृष्ट्वा प्रणयिनि त्वयि ॥

tvayā māṃ sahitaṃ dṛṣṭvā priyā bhāryā sutāśca ye | kasmātte māṃ na khādeyuḥ spṛṣṭvā praṇayini tvayi

On seeing me in your company, why would your dear wife and your sons not eat me once they had touched me, you being so loved by them?

Note on the text: Corrected स्पृष्टवा → स्पृष्ट्वा (misprint in Wikisource; a broken conjunct, which also breaks the metre). Line 2 differs from CE 165c (kasmān māṃ te na khādeyur hṛṣṭāḥ praṇayinas tvayi); kept as printed.

Verse 172 (12.138.172)

नाहं त्वया समेष्यामि वृत्ते हेतुसमागमे । शिवं ध्यायस्व मेऽत्रस्थः सुकृतं स्मरसे यदि ॥

nāhaṃ tvayā sameṣyāmi vṛtte hetusamāgame | śivaṃ dhyāyasva me'trasthaḥ sukṛtaṃ smarase yadi

I shall not meet you again, now that the occasion for our meeting is over. If you remember the good that was done, wish me well from where you stand.

Verse 173 (12.138.173)

शत्रोरन्नाद्यभूतः सन्क्लिष्टस्य क्षुधितस्य च । भक्ष्यं मृगयमाणस्य कः प्राज्ञो विषयं व्रजेत् ॥

śatrorannādyabhūtaḥ sankliṣṭasya kṣudhitasya ca | bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayamāṇasya kaḥ prājño viṣayaṃ vrajet

What wise creature would come within reach of an enemy to whom he is food, who is hungry and tormented and out looking for something to eat?

Verse 174 (12.138.174)

स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि दूरादपि तवोद्विजे । विश्वस्तं वा प्रमत्तं वा एतदेव कृतं भवेत् ॥

svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi dūrādapi tavodvije | viśvastaṃ vā pramattaṃ vā etadeva kṛtaṃ bhavet

May you fare well; I shall go. I shrink from you even at a distance. Whether one is trusting or heedless, this is exactly what would be done to him.

Note on the text: Removed the square brackets and the stray doubled daṇḍa Wikisource prints around line 2. Line 1 = CE 12.136.168a; line 2 is the CE star line 12.136.168d*0314_02 (viśvastaṃ vā pramattaṃ vā etad eva kṛtaṃ bhavet).

Verse 175 (12.138.175)

नाहं त्वया समेष्यामि निवृत्तो भव लोमश । बलवत्सन्निकर्षो हि न कदाचित्प्रशस्यते ॥

nāhaṃ tvayā sameṣyāmi nivṛtto bhava lomaśa | balavatsannikarṣo hi na kadācitpraśasyate

I shall not meet you again; turn back, Lomasha. Closeness to the strong is never praised.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.168c (Wikisource निवृत्तो for CE nirvṛto); line 2 = CE 12.136.169a.

Verse 176 (12.138.176)

यदि त्वं सुकृतं वेत्सि तत्सख्यमनुसारय । प्रशान्तादपि हि प्राज्ञाद्भेतव्यं बलिनः सदा ॥

yadi tvaṃ sukṛtaṃ vetsi tatsakhyamanusāraya | praśāntādapi hi prājñādbhetavyaṃ balinaḥ sadā

If you know the good that was done, hold to that friendship in mind. One must always fear the strong, even one who has grown peaceable and wise.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 is the CE star line 12.136.168d*0314_01 (yadi tvaṃ sukṛtaṃ vetsi tatsakhyam anusāraya); line 2 = CE 12.136.169c (Wikisource हि प्राज्ञाद् for CE me prājña).

Verse 177 (12.138.177)

यदि त्वर्थेन ते कार्यं ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते । कामं सर्वं प्रदास्यामि न त्वात्मानं कथंचन ॥

yadi tvarthena te kāryaṃ brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te | kāmaṃ sarvaṃ pradāsyāmi na tvātmānaṃ kathaṃcana

If you have need of wealth, say what I should do for you; I will gladly give you everything, but never myself.

Verse 178 (12.138.178)

आत्मार्थे संततिस्त्याज्या राज्यं रत्नं धनानि च । अपि सर्वस्वमुत्सृज्य रक्षेदात्मानमात्मवान् ॥

ātmārthe saṃtatistyājyā rājyaṃ ratnaṃ dhanāni ca | api sarvasvamutsṛjya rakṣedātmānamātmavān

For one's own sake, offspring, kingdom, jewels and riches may be given up. A man of self-command should protect himself even if he must surrender all that he owns.

Verse 179 (12.138.179)

ऐश्वर्यधनरत्नानां प्रत्यमित्रेऽपि वर्तताम् । दृष्टा हि पुनरावृत्तिर्जीवतामिति नः श्रुतम् ॥

aiśvaryadhanaratnānāṃ pratyamitre'pi vartatām | dṛṣṭā hi punarāvṛttirjīvatāmiti naḥ śrutam

Let power, wealth and jewels stay even with an enemy; for the living their return is seen, as we have heard.

Verse 180 (12.138.180)

न त्वात्मनः संप्रदानं धनरत्नवदिष्यते । आत्मा हि सर्वदा रक्ष्यो दारैरपि धनैरपि ॥

na tvātmanaḥ saṃpradānaṃ dhanaratnavadiṣyate | ātmā hi sarvadā rakṣyo dārairapi dhanairapi

But the giving away of oneself is not approved as it is with riches and jewels. One's self is to be guarded at all times, even at the cost of wives and wealth.

Verse 181 (12.138.181)

आत्मरक्षणतन्त्राणां सुपरीक्षितकारिणाम् । आपदो नोपपद्यन्ते पुरुषाणां स्वदोषजाः ॥

ātmarakṣaṇatantrāṇāṃ suparīkṣitakāriṇām | āpado nopapadyante puruṣāṇāṃ svadoṣajāḥ

To men who devote themselves to guarding themselves and who act after careful consideration, calamities born of their own faults do not come.

Verse 182 (12.138.182)

शत्रुः सम्यगविज्ञातो विप्रियो ह्यबलीयसा । शङ्कनीयः स सर्वत्र प्रियमप्याचरन्सदा ॥

śatruḥ samyagavijñāto vipriyo hyabalīyasā | śaṅkanīyaḥ sa sarvatra priyamapyācaransadā

An enemy who is not well understood, and who is hostile to one who is weaker, is to be distrusted everywhere, even when he always behaves kindly.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 corresponds to CE 12.136.175a (Wikisource's wording is quite different: śatrūn samyag vijānanti durbalā ye balīyasaḥ); line 2 is the CE star line 12.136.175b*0315_01 (śaṅkanīyaḥ sa sarvatra priyam apy ācaran sadā). Corrected शत्रुं → शत्रुः (misprint in Wikisource; an accusative cannot be the subject of विज्ञातः, and the next line's सः needs a nominative) and removed a stray backtick opening line 2.

Verse 183 (12.138.183)

कुलजानां सुमित्राणां धार्मिकाणां महात्मनाम् । न तेषां चाल्यते बुद्धिः शास्त्रार्थकृतनिश्चया ॥

kulajānāṃ sumitrāṇāṃ dhārmikāṇāṃ mahātmanām | na teṣāṃ cālyate buddhiḥ śāstrārthakṛtaniścayā

The minds of well-born men, of good friends, of the righteous and the great-souled are not swayed, being made firm by the meaning of the treatises.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 is the CE star line 12.136.175b*0315_02 (kulajānāṃ sumitrāṇāṃ dhārmikāṇāṃ mahātmanām); line 2 = CE 12.136.175c. Corrected शास्त्रार्थकृतिश्चया → शास्त्रार्थकृतनिश्चया (misprint in Wikisource; a lost syllable, which the metre confirms; CE kṛtaniścayā) and removed the stray quote mark and the extra daṇḍa at the end of line 1.

Verse 184 (12.138.184)

इत्यभिव्यक्तमेवासौ पलितेनापहासितः । मार्जारो व्रीडितो भूत्वा मूषिकं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

ityabhivyaktamevāsau palitenāpahāsitaḥ | mārjāro vrīḍito bhūtvā mūṣikaṃ vākyamabravīt

Thus plainly mocked by Palita, the cat grew ashamed and said to the mouse:

Verse 185 (12.138.185)

सत्यं शपे त्वयाऽहं वै मित्रद्रोहो विगर्हितः । संमन्येऽहं तव प्रज्ञां यस्त्वं मम हिते रतः ॥

satyaṃ śape tvayā'haṃ vai mitradroho vigarhitaḥ | saṃmanye'haṃ tava prajñāṃ yastvaṃ mama hite rataḥ

I swear by you that it is true: betrayal of a friend is a thing I abhor. I admire your wisdom, you who are so intent on my welfare.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 is the CE star line 12.136.176d*0316_01 (satyaṃ śape tvayāhaṃ vai mitradroho vigarhitaḥ), which the CE prefaces with the star heading "lomaśa uvāca" (*0316_00); line 2 = CE 12.136.177a. The page prints no heading here; the cat Lomasha speaks. The CE star line 176d*0317_01 (satāṃ saptapadaṃ mitraṃ…) is not on the page.

Verse 186 (12.138.186)

उक्तवानर्थतत्त्वेन मया संभिन्नदर्शनः । न तु मामन्यथा साधो त्वं ग्रहीतुमिहार्हसि ॥

uktavānarthatattvena mayā saṃbhinnadarśanaḥ | na tu māmanyathā sādho tvaṃ grahītumihārhasi

You have spoken in keeping with the real state of things, though your view of me is at odds with mine; but, good friend, you ought not to take me otherwise than I am.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.177c; line 2 = CE 12.136.178a (Wikisource ग्रहीतुम् for CE vijñātum).

Verse 187 (12.138.187)

प्राणप्रदानजं त्वत्तो मयि सौहृदमागतम् । धर्मज्ञोऽस्मि गुणज्ञोऽस्मि कृतज्ञोऽस्मि विशेषतः ॥

prāṇapradānajaṃ tvatto mayi sauhṛdamāgatam | dharmajño'smi guṇajño'smi kṛtajño'smi viśeṣataḥ

Friendship with you has come to me as the fruit of your giving me my life. I know dharma, I know worth, and above all I am grateful.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.178c (Wikisource त्वत्तो मयि for CE mama); line 2 = CE 12.136.179a. Corrected कृतज्ञोस्मि → कृतज्ञोऽस्मि (the avagraha is missing, as in the two forms before it; CE kṛtajño 'smi).

Verse 188 (12.138.188)

मित्रेषु वत्सलश्चास्मि त्वद्भक्तश्च विशेषतः । त्वं मामेवंगते साधो न वाचयितुमर्हसि ॥

mitreṣu vatsalaścāsmi tvadbhaktaśca viśeṣataḥ | tvaṃ māmevaṃgate sādho na vācayitumarhasi

I am devoted to my friends, and above all devoted to you. Good one, now that I am in this plight, you ought not to rebuke me.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 = CE 12.136.179c (Wikisource त्वद्भक्तश्च for CE tvadvidheṣu); line 2 = CE 12.136.180a (Wikisource वाचयितुम् for CE yāvayitum).

Verse 189 (12.138.189)

त्वया हि वाच्यमानोऽहं जह्यां प्राणान्सबान्धवः । धिक्शब्दो हि बुधैर्दृष्टो मद्विधेषु मनस्विषु । पतनं धर्मतत्त्वज्ञ न मे शङ्कितुमर्हसि ॥

tvayā hi vācyamāno'haṃ jahyāṃ prāṇānsabāndhavaḥ | dhikśabdo hi budhairdṛṣṭo madvidheṣu manasviṣu | patanaṃ dharmatattvajña na me śaṅkitumarhasi

Rebuked by you, I would give up my life together with my kin. The wise have seen the cry "Shame!" as a grave thing among high-minded men like me; knower of the truth of dharma, you ought not to suspect me of a fall.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Three-line verse as on the page: line 1 = CE 12.136.180c, line 2 = CE 12.136.181a, line 3 = CE 12.136.181c (Wikisource पतनं … शङ्कितुम् for CE maraṇaṃ … śaṅkitum).

Verse 190 (12.138.190)

इति संस्तूयमानोऽपि मार्जारेण स मूषिकः । मनसा भावगम्भीरं मार्जारमिदमब्रवीत् ॥

iti saṃstūyamāno'pi mārjāreṇa sa mūṣikaḥ | manasā bhāvagambhīraṃ mārjāramidamabravīt

Though the cat praised him so, the mouse, deep in thought, said to the cat:

Verse 191 (12.138.191)

साधुर्भवान्कृतार्थोऽस्मि प्रिये च न च विश्वसे । संस्तवैर्वा धनौघैर्वा नाहं शक्यः पुनस्त्वया ॥

sādhurbhavānkṛtārtho'smi priye ca na ca viśvase | saṃstavairvā dhanaughairvā nāhaṃ śakyaḥ punastvayā

You are a good soul, and I am content with what is pleasing; yet I do not trust. Neither by praises nor by floods of wealth can I be won over by you again.

Verse 192 (12.138.192)

न ह्यमित्रवशं यान्ति प्राज्ञा निष्कारणं सखे । अस्मिन्नर्थे च गाथे द्वे निबोधोशनसा कृते ॥

na hyamitravaśaṃ yānti prājñā niṣkāraṇaṃ sakhe | asminnarthe ca gāthe dve nibodhośanasā kṛte

Wise creatures do not fall into an enemy's power for no reason, my friend. On this matter, hear two verses composed by Ushanas.

Verse 193 (12.138.193)

शत्रुसाधारणे कृत्ये कृत्वा सन्धिं बलीयसा । समाहितश्चरेद्बुद्ध्या कृतार्थश्च न विश्वसेत् ॥

śatrusādhāraṇe kṛtye kṛtvā sandhiṃ balīyasā | samāhitaścaredbuddhyā kṛtārthaśca na viśvaset

When a task is common to him and an enemy, and he has made a pact with the stronger, he should act with care and intelligence, and, his purpose done, not trust.

Verse 194 (12.138.194)

न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत् । नित्यं विश्वासयेदन्यान्परेषां तु न विश्वसेत् ॥

na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset | nityaṃ viśvāsayedanyānpareṣāṃ tu na viśvaset

One should not trust the untrusting, nor trust too far the one who trusts. Always make others trust you, but do not trust others.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment (the aligner offered 12.137.25). Both lines are the CE star passage 12.136.185d*0318_01-02 (na viśvased aviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset / nityaṃ viśvāsayed anyān pareṣāṃ tu na viśvaset); line 1 also stands, with variants, as CE 12.137.25a, and line 2 as 12.137.25c (kāmaṃ for nityaṃ). Corrected अवश्वस्ते → अविश्वस्ते and नातिविश्चसेत् → नातिविश्वसेत् (misprints in Wikisource; a lost vowel and श्च for श्व; CE aviśvaste, nātiviśvaset).

Verse 195 (12.138.195)

तस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु रक्षेज्जीवितमात्मनः । द्रव्याणि संततिश्चैव सर्वं भवति जीवताम् ॥

tasmātsarvāsvavasthāsu rakṣejjīvitamātmanaḥ | dravyāṇi saṃtatiścaiva sarvaṃ bhavati jīvatām

Therefore, in every condition, one should guard one's own life; wealth, offspring, everything belongs to the living.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.186 (Wikisource जीवताम् for CE jīvataḥ).

Verse 196 (12.138.196)

संक्षेपो नीतिशास्त्राणामविश्वासः परो मतः । नृषु तस्मादविश्वासः पुष्कलं हितमात्मनः ॥

saṃkṣepo nītiśāstrāṇāmaviśvāsaḥ paro mataḥ | nṛṣu tasmādaviśvāsaḥ puṣkalaṃ hitamātmanaḥ

The essence of the sciences of policy is held to be mistrust. Among men, therefore, mistrust is of ample benefit to oneself.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.187.

Verse 197 (12.138.197)

वध्यन्ते न ह्यविश्वस्ताः शत्रुभिर्दुर्बला अपि । विश्वस्तास्तेषु वध्यन्ते बलवन्तोऽपि शत्रुभिः ॥

vadhyante na hyaviśvastāḥ śatrubhirdurbalā api | viśvastāsteṣu vadhyante balavanto'pi śatrubhiḥ

The untrusting are not killed by their enemies, even when they are weak; the trusting are killed by enemies even when they are strong.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Corrected शत्रुर्भिः → शत्रुभिः (misprint in Wikisource; a stray र्; CE śatrubhiḥ). Line 2 differs from CE 12.136.188c (viśvastās tv āśu vadhyante balavanto 'pi durbalaiḥ); kept as printed.

Verse 198 (12.138.198)

त्वद्विधेभ्यो मया ह्यात्मा रक्ष्यो मार्जार सर्वदा । रक्ष त्वमपि चात्मानं चण्डालाज्जातिकिल्बिषात् ॥

tvadvidhebhyo mayā hyātmā rakṣyo mārjāra sarvadā | rakṣa tvamapi cātmānaṃ caṇḍālājjātikilbiṣāt

From people like you, cat, I must always guard myself; and you too should guard yourself from the Chandala, an outcaste defiled by his birth.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.189.

Verse 199 (12.138.199)

स तस्य ब्रुवतस्त्वेवं संत्रासाज्जातसाध्वसः । कथां हित्वा जवेनाशु मार्जारः प्रययौ ततः ॥

sa tasya bruvatastvevaṃ saṃtrāsājjātasādhvasaḥ | kathāṃ hitvā javenāśu mārjāraḥ prayayau tataḥ

As he spoke, the cat, seized with alarm and fear, broke off the talk and quickly went away from there.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.190 (Wikisource कथां हित्वा for CE svabilaṃ hi).

Verse 200 (12.138.200)

ततः शास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो बुद्धिसामर्थ्यमात्मनः । विश्राव्य पलितः प्राज्ञो बिलमन्यज्जगाम ह ॥

tataḥ śāstrārthatattvajño buddhisāmarthyamātmanaḥ | viśrāvya palitaḥ prājño bilamanyajjagāma ha

Then Palita, wise and a knower of the truth of the treatises, having made his intellectual power known, went off to another hole.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.191.

Verse 201 (12.138.201)

एवं प्रज्ञावता बुद्ध्या दुर्बलेन महाबलाः । एकेन बहवोऽमित्राः पलितेनाभिसंधिताः ॥

evaṃ prajñāvatā buddhyā durbalena mahābalāḥ | ekena bahavo'mitrāḥ palitenābhisaṃdhitāḥ

Thus, by wise counsel, one weak mouse, Palita, outwitted many powerful enemies.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.192.

Verse 202 (12.138.202)

अरिणापि समर्थेन सन्धिं कुर्वीत पण्डितः । मूषिकश्च बिडालश्च मुक्तावन्योन्यसंश्रयात् ॥

ariṇāpi samarthena sandhiṃ kurvīta paṇḍitaḥ | mūṣikaśca biḍālaśca muktāvanyonyasaṃśrayāt

A wise man should make peace even with a powerful enemy. The mouse and the cat were both set free by relying on each other.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.193.

Verse 203 (12.138.203)

इत्येवं क्षत्रधर्मस्य मया मार्गो निदर्शितः । विस्तरेण महाराज संक्षेपमपि मे शृणु ॥

ityevaṃ kṣatradharmasya mayā mārgo nidarśitaḥ | vistareṇa mahārāja saṃkṣepamapi me śṛṇu

In this way, great king, I have shown you the path of the kshatriya's dharma at length; hear it now in brief as well.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.194. From here Bhishma speaks to Yudhishthira again.

Verse 204 (12.138.204)

अन्योन्यं कृतवैरौ तु चक्रतुः प्रीतिमुत्तमाम् । अन्योन्यमभिसंधातुं संबभूव तयोर्मतिः ॥

anyonyaṃ kṛtavairau tu cakratuḥ prītimuttamām | anyonyamabhisaṃdhātuṃ saṃbabhūva tayormatiḥ

Though enemies to each other, the two formed an excellent friendship, and each came to think of outwitting the other.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.195.

Verse 205 (12.138.205)

तत्र प्राज्ञोऽभिसंधत्ते सम्यग्बुद्धिबलाश्रयात् । अभिसंधीयते प्राज्ञः प्रमादादपि वा बुधैः ॥

tatra prājño'bhisaṃdhatte samyagbuddhibalāśrayāt | abhisaṃdhīyate prājñaḥ pramādādapi vā budhaiḥ

In such a case the wise man gets the better of the other through the strength of a sound intellect; and even a wise man may be got the better of by other clever men through heedlessness.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.196 (Wikisource वा बुधैः for CE cābudhaiḥ).

Verse 206 (12.138.206)

तस्मादभीतवद्भीतो विश्वस्तवदविश्वसेत् । न ह्यप्रमत्तश्चलति चलितो वा न नश्यति ॥

tasmādabhītavadbhīto viśvastavadaviśvaset | na hyapramattaścalati calito vā na naśyati

Therefore, though afraid, one should behave as one unafraid, and though distrustful, as one who trusts; for the watchful man does not waver, nor does he perish if he wavers.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Corrected चलितोऽवा → चलितो वा (misprint in Wikisource; a stray avagraha; CE calito vā). Line 2 ends न नश्यति where CE has vinaśyati; kept as printed.

Verse 207 (12.138.207)

काले हि रिपुणा संधिः काले मित्रेण विग्रहः । कार्य इत्येव तत्त्वज्ञाः प्राहुर्नित्यं नराधिप ॥

kāle hi ripuṇā saṃdhiḥ kāle mitreṇa vigrahaḥ | kārya ityeva tattvajñāḥ prāhurnityaṃ narādhipa

Peace is to be made with an enemy at the right time, and war with a friend at the right time; so the knowers of the truth always say, lord of men.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Corrected तत्वज्ञाः → तत्त्वज्ञाः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped त; CE tattvajñāḥ). Wikisource काले … नराधिप for CE kālena … yudhiṣṭhira is a variant.

Verse 208 (12.138.208)

एतज्ज्ञात्वा महाराज शास्त्रार्थमभिगम्य च । अभियुक्तोऽप्रमत्तश्च प्राग्भयाद्भीतवच्चरेत् ॥

etajjñātvā mahārāja śāstrārthamabhigamya ca | abhiyukto'pramattaśca prāgbhayādbhītavaccaret

Knowing this, great king, and having mastered the meaning of the treatises, be diligent and watchful, and act like a frightened man even before the danger comes.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.199.

Verse 209 (12.138.209)

भीतवत्संहितः कार्यः प्रतिसंधिस्तथैव च । भयादुत्पद्यते बुद्धिरप्रमत्ताभियोगजा ॥

bhītavatsaṃhitaḥ kāryaḥ pratisaṃdhistathaiva ca | bhayādutpadyate buddhirapramattābhiyogajā

Like a man in fear, one should make alliances, and likewise counter-alliances; out of fear arises the intelligence that is born of watchful effort.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.200 (Wikisource संहितः for CE saṃvidhiḥ).

Verse 210 (12.138.210)

न भयं जायते राजन्भीतस्यानागते भये । अभीतस्य च विस्रम्भात्सुमहज्जायते भयम् ॥

na bhayaṃ jāyate rājanbhītasyānāgate bhaye | abhītasya ca visrambhātsumahajjāyate bhayam

No fear overtakes the man who fears beforehand a danger yet to come, O king; but for the unafraid, through over-trust, a very great fear arises.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.201.

Verse 211 (12.138.211)

न भीरुरिति चात्यन्तं मन्त्रोऽदेयः कथंचन । अविज्ञानाद्धि विज्ञाने गच्छेदास्पददर्शिषु ॥

na bhīruriti cātyantaṃ mantro'deyaḥ kathaṃcana | avijñānāddhi vijñāne gacchedāspadadarśiṣu

"He is no coward" — on that ground one's counsel must never be given away; for, through ignorance, once it is known it would pass to those who watch for a foothold.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Corrected मन्त्रो देयः → मन्त्रोऽदेयः (misprint in Wikisource; the avagraha is lost, which flips the sense; CE mantro 'deyaḥ) and आस्पददर्शनाम् → आस्पददर्शिषु (misprint in Wikisource; दर्शनाम् is not a valid form; CE āspadadarśiṣu). Wikisource विज्ञाने for CE vijñāte is kept as a variant.

Verse 212 (12.138.212)

तस्मादभीतवद्भीतो विश्वस्तवदविश्वसन् । कार्याणां गुरुतां ज्ञात्वा नादृतं किंचिदाचरेत् ॥

tasmādabhītavadbhīto viśvastavadaviśvasan | kāryāṇāṃ gurutāṃ jñātvā nādṛtaṃ kiṃcidācaret

Therefore, afraid, act as one unafraid, and distrustful, as one who trusts; knowing the weight of affairs, do nothing without due care.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.203 (Wikisource नादृतं for CE nānṛtam, kept as a variant).

Verse 213 (12.138.213)

एवमेतन्मया प्रोक्तमितिहासं युधिष्ठिर । श्रुत्वा त्वं सुहृदां मध्ये यथावत्समुदाचर ॥

evametanmayā proktamitihāsaṃ yudhiṣṭhira | śrutvā tvaṃ suhṛdāṃ madhye yathāvatsamudācara

This is the old tale I have told you, Yudhishthira. Having heard it, act rightly in the midst of your friends.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.204.

Verse 214 (12.138.214)

उपलभ्य मतिं चाग्र्यामरिमित्रान्तरं तथा । संधिविग्रहकालौ च मोक्षोपायं तथाऽऽपदि ॥

upalabhya matiṃ cāgryāmarimitrāntaraṃ tathā | saṃdhivigrahakālau ca mokṣopāyaṃ tathā''padi

Having gained the highest wisdom — the difference between enemy and friend, the proper times for peace and for war, and the means of escape in calamity —

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.205.

Verse 215 (12.138.215)

शत्रुसाधारणे कृत्ये कृत्वा सन्धिं बलीयसा । समागतश्चरेद्बुद्ध्या कृतार्थो न च विश्वसेत् ॥

śatrusādhāraṇe kṛtye kṛtvā sandhiṃ balīyasā | samāgataścaredbuddhyā kṛtārtho na ca viśvaset

When a task is common to him and an enemy and he has made a pact with the stronger, he should join him and act with intelligence, and, his purpose done, not trust him.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.206 (Wikisource समागतश्चरेद्बुद्ध्या for CE samāgamaṃ cared yuktyā).

Verse 216 (12.138.216)

अविरुद्धां त्रिवर्गेण नीतिमेतां महीपते । अभ्युत्तिष्ठ श्रुतात्तस्माद्भूयः संरञ्जयन्प्रजाः ॥

aviruddhāṃ trivargeṇa nītimetāṃ mahīpate | abhyuttiṣṭha śrutāttasmādbhūyaḥ saṃrañjayanprajāḥ

This policy, lord of the earth, is not at odds with the three aims of life. Rise up from what you have heard, and go on gladdening your subjects.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.207.

Verse 217 (12.138.217)

ब्राह्मणैश्चापि ते सार्धं यात्रा भवतु पाण्डव । ब्राह्मणाद्धि परं श्रेयो दिवि चेह च भारत ॥

brāhmaṇaiścāpi te sārdhaṃ yātrā bhavatu pāṇḍava | brāhmaṇāddhi paraṃ śreyo divi ceha ca bhārata

And let your journey in life be in the company of brahmins, Pandava; for nothing is better than a brahmin, in heaven and here, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.208 (Wikisource ब्राह्मणाद्धि for CE brāhmaṇā hi).

Verse 218 (12.138.218)

एते धर्मस्य वेत्तारः कृतज्ञाः सततं प्रभो । पूजिताः शुभकर्तारः पूजयैनान्नराधिप ॥

ete dharmasya vettāraḥ kṛtajñāḥ satataṃ prabho | pūjitāḥ śubhakartāraḥ pūjayainānnarādhipa

These are the knowers of dharma, ever grateful, my lord; honoured, they do good deeds. Honour them, king.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Corrected पूजयैनाञ्जाधिप → पूजयैनान्नराधिप (misprint in Wikisource; a garbled word-end, and a syllable short in the metre; CE narādhipa). Wikisource शुभकर्तारः for CE śubhakarmāṇaḥ is a variant.

Verse 219 (12.138.219)

राज्यं श्रेयः परं राजन्यशश्च महदाप्स्यसे । कुलस्य संततिं चैव यथान्यायं यथाक्रमम् ॥

rājyaṃ śreyaḥ paraṃ rājanyaśaśca mahadāpsyase | kulasya saṃtatiṃ caiva yathānyāyaṃ yathākramam

You will gain the kingdom, the highest good, O king, and great fame, and the continuance of your line, in due order and as is proper.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.210 (Wikisource यशश्च महदाप्स्यसे for CE yaśaḥ kīrtiṃ ca lapsyase).

Verse 220 (12.138.220)

श्रुतं च ते भारत संधिविग्रहं । विभावितं बुद्धिविशेषकारितम् । तथा त्ववेक्ष्य क्षितिपेन सर्वदा । निषेवितव्यं नृप शत्रुमण्डलम् ॥

śrutaṃ ca te bhārata saṃdhivigrahaṃ | vibhāvitaṃ buddhiviśeṣakāritam | tathā tvavekṣya kṣitipena sarvadā | niṣevitavyaṃ nṛpa śatrumaṇḍalam

You have heard, Bharata, of peace and of war, set out clearly and shaped by a superior intelligence. Keeping this in view, O king, a ruler must always deal in this way with the circle of his enemies.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; the verse is CE 12.136.211 (printed on the page in four lines; Wikisource श्रुतं च ते भारत सन्धिविग्रहम् … विभावितम् for CE dvayor imaṃ bhārata saṃdhivigrahaṃ subhāṣitam). The page's row for this verse has lost its verse-number label; it is the last verse before the colophon.