Shloka 45
Adhyāya 51: Kṛṣṇa’s Leave-Taking and Departure for Dvārakā (द्वारकागमनानुमति)
अर्जुन उवाच को न्वसौ ब्राह्मण: कृष्ण कश्च शिष्यो जनार्दन । श्रोतव्यं चेन्मयैतद् वै तत्त्वमाचक्ष्व मे विभो,अर्जुनने पूछा--जनार्दन श्रीकृष्ण! वे ब्रह्मनिष्ठ गुरु कौन थे और शिष्य कौन थे? प्रभो! यदि मेरे सुननेयोग्य हो तो ठीक-ठीक बतानेकी कृपा कीजिये
arjuna uvāca: ko nvasau brāhmaṇaḥ kṛṣṇa kaś ca śiṣyo janārdana | śrotavyaṃ cen mayaitad vai tattvam ācakṣva me vibho ||
Arjuna said: “O Krishna, O Janardana—who indeed was that Brahmin, and who was the disciple? O Lord, if this truth is fit for me to hear, then please explain it to me precisely.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic humility and the ethics of learning: Arjuna does not demand knowledge as a right, but asks whether the truth is ‘fit to be heard’ (śrotavya). It highlights the proper approach to sacred or subtle instruction—seeking clarity (tattva) from a trustworthy authority (Krishna) with reverence and readiness.
Arjuna, addressing Krishna as Janardana and Vibhu, asks for identification of two figures previously alluded to in the discourse: a Brahmin and a disciple. He requests Krishna to disclose, accurately and fully, who the teacher and student were, provided the matter is appropriate for Arjuna to hear.