Shloka 3
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
जनको जनदेवस्तु मिथिलायां जनाधिप: । ऑर्ध्वदेहिकधर्माणामासीद् युक्तो विचिन्तने
janako janadevas tu mithilāyāṁ janādhipaḥ | ūrdhvadehikadharmāṇām āsīd yukto vicintane ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Dans les temps anciens, à Mithilā, régnait un roi de la lignée de Janaka nommé Janadeva, souverain parmi les hommes. Il se consacrait sans cesse à méditer les dharmas qui relèvent de ce qui dépasse le corps : les devoirs et les vérités liés à l’existence de l’âme après la mort. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even while ruling, a king can be devoted to higher dharma—contemplating the soul and the principles connected with life beyond the body—showing that ethical governance and spiritual inquiry can coexist.
Bhishma introduces an old account: in Mithila, King Janadeva of the Janaka line is described as continually absorbed in reflecting on ūrdhvadehika-dharmas, setting the stage for a teaching about dharma and spiritual understanding.