Shloka 56
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
न च कामसमायुक्ते युक्ते5प्यस्ति त्रिदण्डके । न रक्ष्यते त्वया चेदं न मुक्तस्यास्ति गोपना
na ca kāmasamāyukte yukte ’py asti tridaṇḍake | na rakṣyate tvayā cedaṃ na muktasyāsti gopanā ||
Janaka said: “If one is entangled in sensual desire, then even while claiming discipline, the carrying of the triple staff is improper and futile. By such conduct you are not safeguarding the rule of the renunciant’s way of life. And if this has been done to conceal your true state, know that for one who is truly liberated there is no need for self-concealment.”
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
External marks of renunciation (like the tridaṇḍa) are meaningless if one remains attached to sensual desire; true renunciation is measured by inner restraint and integrity. A genuinely liberated person has no need to hide their state through contrived appearances.
King Janaka admonishes a renunciant figure: if their conduct is driven by desire, their ascetic insignia is pointless and they are failing to uphold the sannyāsa discipline; and if the insignia is used to conceal identity or inner state, Janaka argues that a liberated person does not require such concealment.