Upanishads · Mahā 2.25
॥
Devanāgarī
तत्रोन्मदाभिः कान्ताभिर्भोजनैर्भोगसंचयैः जनको लालयामास शुकं शशिनिभाननम्
Transliteration (IAST)
tatronmadābhiḥ kāntābhirbhojanairbhogasaṃcayaiḥ janako lālayāmāsa śukaṃ śaśinibhānanam
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
तत्र उन्मदाभिः कान्ताभिःtatra unmadābhiḥ kāntābhiḥthere with intoxicated beauties; there with charmers drunk on their own youth
भोजनैः भोग-संचयैःbhojanaiḥ bhoga-saṃcayaiḥwith dishes, with heaps of delights; with viands and piles of pleasures
जनकः लालयामास शुकम्janakaḥ lālayāmāsa śukamJanaka pampered Śuka; Janaka indulged Śuka
शशि-निभ-आननम्śaśi-nibha-ānanamthe moon-faced one; him whose face was like the moon
Translation
There Janaka pampered the moon-faced Śuka with intoxicated beauties, dishes and heaps of delights.
Version
5812a85594d5 · published Jul 29, 2026, 6:29:20 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
The trial is named outright, without allegory, and the book does not pretend it a trifle.
The detail about Śuka — “moon-faced” — is set here with purpose. He is young and handsome. The beauties in the palace are no abstract threat.
Note that Janaka acts not as a tempter but as a cordial host: the word lālayāmāsa means “he pampered, indulged”, as one indulges a dear guest. Nothing improper is proposed aloud. A man is simply given everything.
This is the most exact test of renunciation there is. To refuse what is not offered you is easy; such renunciation cannot be verified.
Here it is offered.