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Shloka 16

Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)

सुलभा त्वस्य धर्मेषु मुक्तो नेति ससंशया । सत्त्वं सत्त्वेन योगज्ञा प्रविवेश महीपते:

sulabhā tv asya dharmeṣu mukto neti saṁśayā | sattvaṁ sattvena yogajñā praviveśa mahīpateḥ ||

สุลภาผู้ประสงค์จะไต่ถามเรื่องธรรมแห่งโมกษะ ยังมีความกังขาว่า พระราชาชนกเป็นผู้หลุดพ้นทั้งที่ยังมีชีวิตจริงหรือไม่ ครั้นนางชำนาญในโยคะแล้ว จึงอาศัยจิตอันละเอียดของตน แทรกซึมเข้าสู่สำนึกภายในของพระมหากษัตริย์ เพื่อทดสอบความจริงแห่งภาวะหลุดพ้นนั้น

सुलभाSulabhā (name of the woman sage)
सुलभा:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootसुलभा
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
अस्यof him (of this king)
अस्य:
Sambandha
TypePronoun
Rootइदम्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
धर्मेषुin matters of dharma / among duties
धर्मेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootधर्म
FormMasculine, Locative, Plural
मुक्तःliberated / freed
मुक्तः:
TypeAdjective
Rootमुक्त
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
इतिthus (quotative)
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
स-संशयाwith doubt; doubtful
स-संशया:
TypeAdjective
Rootसंशय
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
सत्त्वम्mind/being/essence (here: mental principle)
सत्त्वम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootसत्त्व
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
सत्त्वेनby (her) mind/essence
सत्त्वेन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootसत्त्व
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
योगज्ञाknower of yoga
योगज्ञा:
TypeAdjective
Rootयोगज्ञ
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
प्रविवेशentered
प्रविवेश:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र-विश्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), Third, Singular
महीपतेःof the king (lord of the earth)
महीपतेः:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootमहीपति
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
S
Sulabhā
J
Janaka

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.