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 ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Nang maunawaan niya ang pagkakapantay-pantay ng loob ni Haring Janaka, ang nakaaalam ng dharma ay nagtamo ng pinakamataas na kaalaman. Paglapit niya sa sandaang guro, sa pamamagitan ng mga pangangatwirang may saysay, kanyang nabighani at nalito sila.”
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.