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 ||
毗湿摩说：苏拉婆意在考察此王于法（dharma）之行持，心中犹疑：他是否真为“生时解脱者”（jīvanmukta）。她精通瑜伽，便以自身坚住的觉知入于王之内心，与其心识相接，以验其所称解脱之真实，并检验其境界在伦理与法义上的真确。
भीष्म उवाच
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.