Shloka 5
Śakra–Namuci-saṃvāda: Śoka-nivāraṇa and Daiva-vicāra
Indra and Namuci on grief, composure, and inevitability
भीष्म उवाच तमसा हि प्रतिच्छन्न॑ विभ्रान्तमिव चातुरम् । पुन: प्रशमयन् वाक्यै: कवि: पठचशिखोडब्रवीत्
bhīṣma uvāca tamasā hi praticchannaṃ vibhrāntam iva cāturam | punaḥ praśamayan vākyaiḥ kaviḥ pañcaśikho 'bravīt ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Ô roi ! Voyant le sage roi Janaka comme voilé par les ténèbres de l’ignorance — troublé et agité au-dedans, comme égaré quant au destin du Soi — le rishi Pañcaśikha l’apaisa de nouveau par de douces paroles, puis il parla. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before higher instruction can be received, the mind must be steadied: ignorance (tamas) can veil even a capable intellect, so the teacher first pacifies agitation with appropriate speech, restoring clarity for ethical and spiritual discernment.
Bhishma narrates that the sage Panchashikha notices King Janaka’s intellect has become clouded and confused; he reassures and calms the king with gentle words and then begins his counsel.