Shloka 12
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
पञ्चज्ञ: पञज्चकृत्पज्चगुण: पञजचशिख: स्मृतः । पुरुषावस्थमव्यक्तं परमार्थ न्यवेदयत्
bhīṣma uvāca | pañcajñaḥ pañcakṛt pañcaguṇaḥ pañcaśikhaḥ smṛtaḥ | puruṣāvastham avyaktam paramārthaṃ nyavedayat |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Siya’y inaalala bilang Pañcaśikha—yaong nakaaalam ng lima, kumikilos sa pamamagitan ng lima, at pinagkalooban ng limang katangian. Ipinaliwanag niya ang kataas-taasang katotohanan: ang di-nahahayag na prinsipyo na nananahan sa kalagayan ng puruṣa (ang may-malay na sarili).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a teacher (Pañcaśikha) who explains the paramārtha—the ultimate truth—identified with the ‘unmanifest’ (avyakta) principle present within the individual. It frames liberation-oriented knowledge as grounded in disciplined virtues and insight into what lies beyond the fivefold psycho-physical layers.
Bhīṣma describes how a gathering of Kapila-aligned sages approaches the sage Āsuri in his hermitage to request instruction about the unmanifest highest reality within each person. Pañcaśikha is singled out among them as especially qualified—defined through fivefold mastery and five virtues—and as the one who conveys the teaching.