Shloka 71
Śuka’s Guṇa-Transcendence and Vyāsa’s Consolation (शुकगति-वर्णनम्)
सा यदि त्वं स्वकार्येण यद्यन्यस्य महीपते: । तत् त्वं सत्रप्रतिच्छन्ना मयि नाहसि गूहितुम्
sā yadi tvaṁ svakāryeṇa yady anyasya mahīpateḥ | tat tvaṁ satrapraticchannā mayi nāhasi gūhitum ||
阇那迦说道：“若你为自身之事，或为他国君王之事而乔装来此，那么——既已藏身于谨慎的帷幕之下——便不当对我隐瞒真相。凡关乎法与正行之事，在能作正当裁断者面前守秘，并不相宜。”
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses ethical transparency: when one approaches a wise ruler or judge, especially under disguise or suspicion, it is improper to conceal the real purpose. Dharma here favors truthful disclosure over strategic secrecy.
King Janaka addresses a woman who appears to have come in disguise. He infers she may be acting for her own ends or on behalf of another king, and he urges her not to hide the truth from him.