निवारितश्च तत्रैव प्रतीहारेण काष्ठवत् । तत्रैव च स्थितो द्वारि मोक्षमेवानुचिन्तयन्
He was stopped there by the doorkeeper, remaining motionless like a log, standing at the door contemplating liberation.
छायायामातपे चैव समदर्शी महातपाः । ध्यानं कृत्वा तथैकान्ते स्थितः स्थाणुरिवाचलः
In shade and sunlight alike, the great ascetic, seeing both as equal, stood alone in meditation, unmoving like a pillar.
तं मुहूर्तादुपागत्य राज्ञोऽमात्यः कृताञ्जलिः । प्रावेशयत्ततः कक्षां द्वितीयां राजवेश्मनः
After a moment, the king’s minister approached him, palms joined in reverence, and led him into the second chamber of the royal palace.
तत्र दिव्यं मनोरम्यं पुष्पितं दिव्यपादपम् । तद्वनं दर्शयित्वा तु कृत्वा चातिथिसत्क्रियाम्
There, showing him a divine, delightful garden with blossoming celestial trees, he performed the proper hospitality for a guest.
वारमुख्याः स्त्रियस्तत्र राजसेवापरायणाः । गीतवादित्रकुशलाः कामशास्त्रविशारदाः
There, the chief women, devoted to royal service, skilled in singing and playing instruments, and experts in the arts of love, were present.
ता आदिश्य च सेवार्थं शुकस्य मन्त्रिसत्तमः । निर्गतः सदनात्तस्माद्व्यासपुत्रः स्थितस्तदा
The foremost minister instructed those women to serve Śuka, then departed from the chamber, leaving Vyāsa’s son standing there.
पूजितः परया भक्त्या ताभिः स्त्रीभिर्यथाविधि । देशकालोपपन्नेन नानान्नेनातितोषितः
He was worshipped by those women with utmost devotion, according to proper custom, and delighted with various foods suited to the place and time.
ततोऽन्तःपुरवासिन्यस्तस्यान्तःपुरकाननम् । रम्यं संदर्शयामासुरङ्गनाः काममोहिताः
Then, the palace women, enchanted by desire, showed him the beautiful inner garden of the palace.
स युवा रूपवान्कान्तो मृदुभाषी मनोरमः । दृष्ट्वा ता मुमुहुः सर्वास्तं च काममिवापरम्
He, young, handsome, charming, gentle in speech and delightful, upon being seen by them, caused all to faint, as if he were another god of love.
जितेन्द्रियं मुनिं मत्त्वा सर्वाः पर्यचरंस्तदा । आरणेयस्तु शुद्धात्मा मातृभावमकल्पयत्
Recognizing him as a sage who had conquered his senses, all served him; but the pure-hearted forest-dweller regarded them with the feeling of a mother.
आत्मारामो जितक्रोधो न हृष्यति न तप्यति । पश्यंस्तासां विकारांश्च स्वस्थ एव स तस्थिवान्
Absorbed in the Self, having conquered anger, he neither rejoiced nor suffered; seeing their transformations, he remained composed and steady.
तस्मै शय्यां सुरम्यां च ददुर्नार्यः सुसंस्कृताम् । परार्ध्यास्तरणोपेतां नानोपस्करसंवृताम्
To him, the women gave a splendid, well-prepared bed, adorned with costly coverings and furnished with various items.
स कृत्वा पादशौचं च कुशपाणिरतन्द्रितः । उपास्य पश्चिमां सन्ध्यां ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत
He, diligently holding kuśa grass, performed foot purification, worshipped the evening twilight, and entered into meditation.
याममेकं स्थितो ध्याने सुष्वाप तदनन्तरम् । सुप्त्वा यामद्वयं तत्र चोदतिष्ठत्ततः शुकः
Having remained in meditation for one watch of the night, he slept; after sleeping for two watches, Śuka then arose.
पाश्चात्यं यामिनीयामं ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत । स्नात्वा प्रातःक्रियाः कृत्वा पुनरास्ते समाहितः
During the last watch of the night, he again entered meditation; after bathing and performing morning rites, he sat once more, fully concentrated.
जनकोपदेशवर्णनम् सूत उवाच॥ सूत उवाच श्रुत्वा तमागतं राजा मन्त्रिभिः सहितः शुचिः । पुरः पुरोहितं कृत्वा गुरुपुत्रं समभ्यगात्
Description of Janaka’s instruction. Sūta said: Hearing of his arrival, the pure king, together with his ministers, placing the priest in front, approached the guru’s son.
कृत्वार्हणां नृपः सम्यग्दत्तासनमनुत्तमम् । पप्रच्छ कुशलं गां च विनिवेद्य पयस्विनीम्
The king performed proper honors, offered an excellent seat, and asked after his well-being, presenting a cow rich in milk.
स च तां नृपपूजां वै प्रत्यगृह्णाद्यथाविधि । पप्रच्छ कुशलं राज्ञे स्वं निवेद्य निरामयम्
He accepted the king’s worship as prescribed, and in turn asked after the king’s welfare, declaring himself to be free from illness.
कृत्वा कुशलसंप्रश्नमुपविष्टं सुखासने । शुक व्याससुतं शान्तं पर्यपृच्छत पार्थिवः
Having made polite inquiries about his well-being, the king questioned Śuka, the tranquil son of Vyāsa, who was seated comfortably.
किं निमित्तं महाभाग निःस्पृहस्य च मां प्रति । जातं ह्यागमनं ब्रूहि कार्यं तन्मुनिसत्तम
O highly fortunate one, for what reason, though you are free from desires, have you come to me? Tell me, O best of sages, what is your purpose.
शुक उवाच व्यासेनोक्तो महाराज कुरु दारपरिग्रहम् । सर्वेषामाश्रमाणां च गृहस्थाश्रम उत्तमः
Śuka said: My father Vyāsa told me, 'O king, take a wife; among all the āśramas, the householder's stage is the highest.'
मया नाङ्गीकृतं वाक्यं मत्त्वा बन्धं गुरोरपि । न बन्धोऽस्तीति तेनोक्तो नाहं तत्कृतवान्पुनः
I did not accept that instruction, perceiving it as bondage, even from my guru; he then told me, 'It is not bondage.' Still, I did not act accordingly.
इति सन्दिग्धमनसं मत्वा स मुनिसत्तमः । उवाच वचनं तथ्यं मिथिलां गच्छ मा शुचः
Seeing my mind in doubt, that best of sages spoke truthful words: 'Go to Mithilā, do not grieve.'
याज्योऽस्ति जनकस्तत्र जीवन्मुक्तो नराधिपः । विदेहो लोकविदितः पाति राज्यमकण्टकम्
There, King Janaka, known as Videha and renowned among men as liberated while living, rules his kingdom without trouble.
कुर्वन् राज्यं तथा राजा मायापाशैर्न बध्यते । त्वं बिभेषि कथं पुत्र वनवृत्तिः परन्तप
Though ruling the kingdom, that king is not bound by the snares of illusion; why, O son, do you fear the life of a householder, scorcher of foes?
पश्य तं नृपशार्दूलं त्यज मोहं मनोगतम् । कुरु दारान्महाभाग पृच्छ वा भूपतिं च तम्
See that tiger among kings, abandon the delusion in your mind; O highly fortunate one, take a wife, or ask that king.
सन्देहं ते मनोजातं कथयिष्यति पार्थिवः । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य मामेहि तरसा सुत
The king will resolve the doubt that has arisen in your mind; after hearing his words, come to me quickly, my son.
सम्प्राप्तोऽहं महाराज त्वत्पुरे च तदाज्ञया । मोक्षकामोऽस्मि राजेन्द्र ब्रूहि कृत्यं ममानघ
O great king, I have come to your city by his command; I desire liberation, O king—tell me, O sinless one, what I should do.
तपस्तीर्थव्रतेज्याश्च स्वाध्यायस्तीर्थसेवनम् । ज्ञानं वा वद राजेन्द्र मोक्षं प्रति च कारणम्
O king, tell me whether austerity, pilgrimage, vows, sacrifices, study, or service at holy places, or knowledge is the means for liberation.
जनक उवाच शृणु विप्रेण कर्तव्यं मोक्षमार्गाश्रितेन यत् । उपनीतो वसेदादौ वेदाभ्यासाय वै गुरौ
Janaka said: Hear what a brāhmaṇa should do who seeks the path of liberation: after initiation, he should first reside with his teacher to study the Vedas.