Shloka 26
Arjuna’s request to Krishna and the opening of the Kāśyapa–Brāhmaṇa mokṣa discourse (Āśvamedhika-parva 16)
विस्मितश्ाद्भुतं दृष्टवा काश्यपस्तद् द्विजोत्तमम् । परिचारेण महता गुरुं त॑ पर्यतोषयत्,निकट जाकर उन मेधावी, तपस्वी, धर्माभिलाषी और एकाग्रचित्त महर्षिने न्यायानुसार उन सिद्ध महात्माके चरणोंमें प्रणाम किया। वे ब्राह्मणोंमें श्रेष्ठ और बड़े अद्भुत संत थे। उनमें सब प्रकारकी योग्यता थी। वे शास्त्रके ज्ञाता और सच्चरित्र थे। उनका दर्शन करके काश्यपको बड़ा विस्मय हुआ। वे उन्हें गुरु मानकर उनकी सेवामें लग गये और अपनी शुश्रूषा, गुरुभक्ति तथा श्रद्धाभावके द्वारा उन्होंने उन सिद्ध महात्माको संतुष्ट कर लिया
vismitaś cādbhutaṁ dṛṣṭvā kāśyapas tad dvijottamam | paricāreṇa mahatā guruṁ taṁ paryatoṣayat ||
Seeing that foremost of twice-born men—marvelous and astonishing—Kāśyapa was filled with wonder. Accepting him as his teacher, Kāśyapa served him with great attentiveness and, through devoted attendance, fully pleased the guru.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that genuine spiritual and ethical learning is grounded in humility and reverent service: recognizing excellence (dvijottama), accepting rightful guidance (guru), and pleasing the teacher through sincere attendance (paricaryā) rather than mere display of knowledge.
Kāśyapa encounters an extraordinary and eminent brāhmaṇa, is struck with wonder, accepts him as his guru, and through sustained, devoted service succeeds in satisfying him—setting the stage for instruction or spiritual benefit that follows from proper discipleship.