Shloka 20
Ātma-saṃyama-dharma: One-pointedness of Mind and Senses (शुक–व्यास संवादः)
शुचिर्दक्षो गुणोपेतो ब्रूयादिष्टमिवान्तरा । चक्षुषा गुरुमव्यग्रो निरीक्षेत जितेन्द्रिय:
śucir dakṣo guṇopeto brūyād iṣṭam ivāntarā | cakṣuṣā gurum avyagro nirīkṣeta jitendriyaḥ ||
Vyāsa sprach: Der Schüler sei äußerlich wie innerlich rein, tüchtig in seinen Pflichten und mit Tugenden ausgestattet. Mit innerem Wohlwollen spreche er bisweilen Worte, die dem Lehrer angenehm sind. Unaufgeregt und selbstbeherrscht blicke er den Guru mit ruhigem, hingebungsvollem Blick an und halte die Sinne im Zaum.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
A disciple’s dharma is disciplined character: inner and outer purity, competence in service, cultivation of virtues, controlled speech that pleases the teacher without flattery, respectful attentive gaze, and mastery over the senses.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction-oriented setting, Vyāsa lays down behavioral norms for a student in relation to the guru—how to speak, how to look, and how to maintain self-control—framing discipleship as ethical training.