Shloka 4
शुकस्य योगसिद्धिः (Śuka’s Yogic Attainment and Ascent)
वैदेहो जनको राजा महर्षि वेदवित्तमम् । पर्यपृच्छत् पञज्चशिखं छिन्नधर्मार्थसंशयम्
Vaideho Janako rājā maharṣi-vedavittamam | paryapṛcchat pañcaśikhaṁ chinna-dharmārtha-saṁśayam ||
Bhīṣma said: King Janaka of Videha, seeking the highest understanding of the Vedas, questioned the sage Pañcaśikha—one whose doubts about dharma and artha had been cut away—so that right conduct and right purpose might be clearly known.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical method of learning: even a king should approach a realized teacher and inquire. True guidance on dharma (right conduct) and artha (right aims and welfare) is sought from one whose own doubts are already resolved.
Bhīṣma introduces an exemplum: King Janaka of Videha approaches and questions the sage Pañcaśikha, described as a foremost knower of Vedic wisdom and free from doubts about dharma and artha.