‘The dialogue between a cat and a mouse’ (Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda) is an animal fable used in the Mahābhārata to provide instruction in statecraft (nīti). This article argues that the Mahābhārata version of this tale must be based on an earlier soteriological allegory about a brahmin who provides spiritual liberation to a king in exchange for protection. The Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda abounds in terms and phrases that, in addition to their everyday meanings, have a technical or typical usage in the ascetic traditions of Ancient India. Moreover, the conversation between the cat and the mouse resembles that between a teacher and a disciple, rather than a discussion of a possible alliance between two kings. The hunter of the Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda can be identified with the Buddhist Māra. To support the plausibility of this soteriological reading, the article includes a discussion of Buddhist jātakas with a similar plot.

“猫和老鼠之间的对话”（Mārjāramūṣakasaṃvāda ）是《摩诃婆罗多》中用来提供治国之道（ nīti）指导的动物寓言。本文认为，这个故事的摩诃婆罗多版本一定是基于一个早期的救世寓言，讲述的是一位婆罗门为国王提供精神解放以换取保护。玛尔贾拉穆萨卡萨瓦达大量的术语和短语除了日常含义外，在古印度的苦行传统中也有技术或典型的用法。而且，猫和老鼠之间的对话类似于师徒之间的对话，而不是讨论两个国王之间可能结盟的问题。Marjāramūṣakasaṃvāda的猎人可以与佛教魔罗等同。为了支持这种救赎论解读的合理性，本文对具有类似情节的佛教本生经进行了讨论。