Shloka 16
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
सुलभा त्वस्य धर्मेषु मुक्तो नेति ससंशया । सत्त्वं सत्त्वेन योगज्ञा प्रविवेश महीपते:,सुलभा मोक्षधर्मके विषयमें राजासे कुछ पूछना चाहती थी। उसके मनमें यह संदेह था कि राजा जनक जीवन्मुक्त हैं या नहीं। वह योगशक्तियोंकी जानकार तो थी ही, अपनी सूक्ष्म बुद्धिद्वारा राजाकी बुद्धिमें प्रविष्ट हो गयी
sulabhā tv asya dharmeṣu mukto neti saṁśayā | sattvaṁ sattvena yogajñā praviveśa mahīpateḥ ||
Disse Bhīṣma: Sulabhā, desejosa de examinar sua conduta em matéria de dharma, duvidava se aquele rei era de fato um liberto ainda em vida (jīvanmukta). Hábil no yoga, ela penetrou na consciência interior do monarca—fazendo sua mente encontrar a firmeza da dela—para testar a realidade dessa liberdade alegada e a verdade ética de seu estado.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Claims of liberation must be examined in the light of dharma and inner freedom: true mokṣa is not merely a reputation or philosophical stance, but a verifiable state of non-attachment and clarity. Sulabhā’s yogic scrutiny highlights that ethical and spiritual attainment can be tested by insight into one’s inner disposition (sattva).
Sulabhā wishes to question King Janaka on mokṣa-dharma, but first doubts whether he is genuinely liberated. Using her yogic power and subtle intelligence, she enters his mind/inner awareness to assess his true spiritual condition before engaging him in debate.