Shloka 18
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
सामान्यं जनक ज्ञात्वा धर्मज्ञो ज्ञानमुत्तमम् | उपेत्य शतमाचार्यान् मोहयामास हेतुभि:,धर्मज्ञ पंचशिखने उत्तम ज्ञान प्राप्त किया था। वे राजा जनकको सौ आचार्योंपर समानभावसे अनुरक्त जान उनके दरबारमें गये और वहाँ जाकर उन्होंने अपने युक्तियुक्त वचनोंद्वारा उन सब आचार्योंको मोहित कर दिया
bhīṣma uvāca | sāmānyaṃ janaka jñātvā dharmajño jñānam uttamam | upetya śatam ācāryān mohayāmāsa hetubhiḥ ||
Bhishma said: Having understood King Janaka’s even-mindedness, the knower of dharma attained the highest knowledge. Approaching a hundred teachers, he then, by means of well-reasoned arguments, captivated and confounded them.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical and spiritual excellence is marked by even-mindedness (sāmānya) and the capacity to discern true knowledge (uttama-jñāna) beyond mere institutional authority; reasoned inquiry can expose superficial learning.
A dharma-knower, recognizing Janaka’s impartial disposition, approaches a gathering of a hundred teachers and, through sharp reasoning, overwhelms or captivates them—depicting a philosophical contest that highlights the difference between genuine insight and conventional scholarship.