Shloka 5
Śakra–Namuci-saṃvāda: Śoka-nivāraṇa and Daiva-vicāra
Indra and Namuci on grief, composure, and inevitability
भीष्म उवाच तमसा हि प्रतिच्छन्न॑ विभ्रान्तमिव चातुरम् । पुन: प्रशमयन् वाक्यै: कवि: पठचशिखोडब्रवीत्,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन्! राजा जनककी बुद्धिको अज्ञानान्धकारसे आच्छादित तथा आत्माके नाशकी सम्भावनासे भ्रान्त एवं व्याकुल जानकर ज्ञानी महात्मा पंचशिख उन्हें मधुर वचनोंद्वारा शान्त करते हुए-से बोले--
bhīṣma uvāca tamasā hi praticchannaṃ vibhrāntam iva cāturam | punaḥ praśamayan vākyaiḥ kaviḥ pañcaśikho 'bravīt ||
Bhishma said: “O king, seeing the wise King Janaka as though shrouded in the darkness of ignorance—confused and inwardly troubled, as if deluded about the fate of the Self—the sage Panchashikha again soothed him with gentle words, and then spoke.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before higher instruction can be received, the mind must be steadied: ignorance (tamas) can veil even a capable intellect, so the teacher first pacifies agitation with appropriate speech, restoring clarity for ethical and spiritual discernment.
Bhishma narrates that the sage Panchashikha notices King Janaka’s intellect has become clouded and confused; he reassures and calms the king with gentle words and then begins his counsel.