Shloka 9
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
के पन्थान: शिवाश्र स्यु: कि सुखं कि च दुष्कृतम् एतान् मे भगवन् प्रश्नान् याथातथ्येन सुव्रत
śiṣya uvāca | ke panthānaḥ śivāśrā syuḥ? ki sukhaṃ? ki ca duṣkṛtam? etān me bhagavan praśnān yāthātathyena suvrata |
The disciple said: “Which paths truly lead to auspiciousness and welfare? What is the highest happiness? And what is called wrongdoing (sin)? O Blessed one, O you of excellent vows, you are able to answer these questions of mine exactly as they are in truth. My mind is intensely eager to know this; apart from you, no one seems competent to state the real principle here—therefore, please explain, for you are renowned as skilled in the knowledge of the liberating dharmas.”
शिष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic ethical inquiry: identify the life-paths that lead to true welfare (śiva), define the nature of the highest happiness (sukha), and clarify what counts as wrongdoing (duṣkṛta). It also emphasizes that such discernment requires truthful instruction (yāthātathyena) from a qualified teacher.
In a guru–disciple setting within the Ashvamedhika Parva, the disciple respectfully questions the teacher, expressing strong eagerness to learn and acknowledging the teacher’s authority to explain the principles of liberating dharma.