Shloka 4
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
संन्यासफलिक: कश्चिद् बभूव नृपतिः पुरा । मैथिलो जनको नाम धर्मध्वज इति श्रुत:
saṁnyāsaphalikaḥ kaścid babhūva nṛpatiḥ purā | maithilo janako nāma dharmadhvaja iti śrutaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Dans les temps anciens vécut un roi qui avait obtenu le vrai fruit du renoncement. C’était Janaka de Mithilā, renommé sous l’épithète “Dharmadhvaja”, l’Étendard du Dharma : lui qui, tout en demeurant dans la vie de maître de maison, réalisa la connaissance intérieure, juste accomplissement du saṁnyāsa.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that the essence (fruit) of saṁnyāsa is not merely an external change of status but an inner attainment—right knowledge and detachment—which can be realized even while living as a householder, exemplified by King Janaka.
Bhīṣma introduces an exemplary figure from ancient tradition—Janaka of Mithilā, famed as Dharmadhvaja—to set up an instructive account about dharma and the possibility of spiritual realization within worldly responsibilities.