Shloka 71
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
सा यदि त्वं स्वकार्येण यद्यन्यस्य महीपते: । तत् त्वं सत्रप्रतिच्छन्ना मयि नाहसि गूहितुम्
sā yadi tvaṁ svakāryeṇa yady anyasya mahīpateḥ | tat tvaṁ satrapraticchannā mayi nāhasi gūhitum ||
Janaka said: “If you have come here in disguise on your own business, or on the business of some other king, then—since you are concealed under a cloak of caution—you ought not to hide the truth from me. In matters that touch duty and right conduct, secrecy before one who can judge rightly is not proper.”
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses ethical transparency: when one approaches a wise ruler or judge, especially under disguise or suspicion, it is improper to conceal the real purpose. Dharma here favors truthful disclosure over strategic secrecy.
King Janaka addresses a woman who appears to have come in disguise. He infers she may be acting for her own ends or on behalf of another king, and he urges her not to hide the truth from him.