Shloka 18
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
सामान्यं जनक ज्ञात्वा धर्मज्ञो ज्ञानमुत्तमम् | उपेत्य शतमाचार्यान् मोहयामास हेतुभि:
bhīṣma uvāca | sāmānyaṃ janaka jñātvā dharmajño jñānam uttamam | upetya śatam ācāryān mohayāmāsa hetubhiḥ ||
सामान्यं जनकं ज्ञात्वा धर्मज्ञो ज्ञानमुत्तमम्। उपेत्य शतमाचार्यान् मोहयामास हेतुभिः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical and spiritual excellence is marked by even-mindedness (sāmānya) and the capacity to discern true knowledge (uttama-jñāna) beyond mere institutional authority; reasoned inquiry can expose superficial learning.
A dharma-knower, recognizing Janaka’s impartial disposition, approaches a gathering of a hundred teachers and, through sharp reasoning, overwhelms or captivates them—depicting a philosophical contest that highlights the difference between genuine insight and conventional scholarship.