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 dit : «Si tu es venue ici déguisée pour tes propres affaires, ou pour celles d’un autre roi, alors—puisque tu te tiens cachée sous un manteau de prudence—tu ne dois pas me dissimuler la vérité. Dans ce qui touche au dharma et à la juste conduite, le secret devant celui qui peut juger droitement n’est pas convenable.»
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.