Shloka 5
“यदि आपलोग आज्ञा दें तो रेणुक उन महान् गजोंके पास जाकर धर्मके समस्त गोपनीय रहस्योंको पूछे” ।।
yadi ājñāṁ dadyuḥ, tadā reṇukā mahāgajān prati gatvā dharmasya sarvān gopyān rahasyān pṛcchet iti | pitāmahavacaḥ śrutvā te devāḥ śāntacittāḥ tadā reṇukāṁ preṣayām āsuḥ yatra te dharaṇīdharā diggajāḥ santi |
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Si concedéis permiso, que Reṇukā vaya ante esos poderosos elefantes e indague todos los secretos ocultos del Dharma». Al oír las palabras del Pitāmaha (Brahmā), los dioses, serenos de ánimo, enviaron entonces a Reṇukā al lugar donde se hallaban aquellos elefantes guardianes de las direcciones, sostenedores de la tierra.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is portrayed as subtle and sometimes ‘gopya’ (confidential), to be approached through disciplined inquiry, proper authorization, and respect for established cosmic and moral supports. The verse emphasizes that ethical knowledge is not merely asserted but sought from authoritative bearers of order.
After Brahma’s statement is heard, the gods—remaining composed—send Renuka as an emissary to the location of the diggajas, the mythic elephants who uphold the earth/directions, so that she may question them about the hidden principles of Dharma.