Shloka 9
Adhyāya 302: Guṇa-vicāra, Gati-bheda, and the Imperishable State
Yājñavalkya–Janaka
परमध्यात्मकुशलम ध्यात्मगतिनिश्चयम् । मैत्रावरुणिमासीनमभिवाद्य कृताउ्जलि:,मित्रावरुणके पुत्र वसिष्ठजी अध्यात्मविषयक प्रवचनमें अत्यन्त कुशल थे और उन्हें अध्यात्मज्ञानका निश्चय हो गया था। वे एक आसनपर विराजमान थे। पूर्वकालमें कराल नामक राजा जनकने उन मुनिवरके पास जा हाथ जोड़कर प्रणाम किया और सुन्दर अक्षरोंसे युक्त विनयपूर्ण तथा कुतर्करहित मधुर वाणीमें इस प्रकार पूछा--
paramādhyātma-kuśalam adhyātma-gati-niścayam | maitrāvaruṇim āsīnam abhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ ||
Bhishma said: Vasiṣṭha, the son of Mitra and Varuṇa, was supremely skilled in the knowledge of the Self and firmly established in certainty about the soul’s highest course. Seated upon his seat, he was approached in former times by King Janaka (called Karāla), who bowed with joined palms and, in a gentle, respectful voice—free from captious argument—asked him as follows.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames spiritual inquiry as grounded in adhyātma (Self-knowledge) and niścaya (firm conviction). It highlights that true instruction is sought from one established in inner certainty, and that the seeker should approach with humility, reverence, and a sincere, non-contentious attitude.
Bhīṣma introduces a traditional teaching episode: King Janaka approaches the sage Vasiṣṭha (called Maitrāvaruṇi) who is seated, salutes him with joined palms, and prepares to ask a respectful question in a sweet, courteous, and non-polemical manner.