Shloka 5
Śakra–Namuci-saṃvāda: Śoka-nivāraṇa and Daiva-vicāra
Indra and Namuci on grief, composure, and inevitability
भीष्म उवाच तमसा हि प्रतिच्छन्न॑ विभ्रान्तमिव चातुरम् । पुन: प्रशमयन् वाक्यै: कवि: पठचशिखोडब्रवीत्
bhīṣma uvāca tamasā hi praticchannaṃ vibhrāntam iva cāturam | punaḥ praśamayan vākyaiḥ kaviḥ pañcaśikho 'bravīt ||
毗湿摩说道：“大王！他见智王阇那迦仿佛被无明之暗所遮蔽，心神迷乱、内里不安，似乎对真我之归宿起了疑惑；于是圣者般遮尸佉再以柔和之言抚慰他，继而开口说道。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before higher instruction can be received, the mind must be steadied: ignorance (tamas) can veil even a capable intellect, so the teacher first pacifies agitation with appropriate speech, restoring clarity for ethical and spiritual discernment.
Bhishma narrates that the sage Panchashikha notices King Janaka’s intellect has become clouded and confused; he reassures and calms the king with gentle words and then begins his counsel.