Shloka 996
वासुदेवो गुरुश्नापि तव पार्थस्य धीमत: । तात! शिनिप्रवर! धर्मात्मा अर्जुन तुम्हारा गुरु है तथा भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण तुम्हारे और बुद्धिमान अर्जुनके भी गुरु हैं
Vāsudevo guruḥ śnāpi tava pārthasya dhīmataḥ | tāta! śinipravara! dharmātmā Arjuna tvaṁhārā guruḥ tathā bhagavān Śrī-Kṛṣṇa tvaṁhāre aura buddhimān Arjunake bhī guru hai ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) is a revered teacher—indeed, a spiritual guide—both to you and to the wise Pārtha (Arjuna). O dear one, best of the Śini line! The righteous-souled Arjuna is your teacher, and the Blessed Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the teacher of you both.”
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True authority is grounded in dharma and wisdom: one should recognize and honor rightful teachers—Arjuna for martial guidance and Kṛṣṇa as the supreme spiritual guide—cultivating humility and ethical discipline even amid war.
In the Drona Parva’s battlefield context, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a Yādava (called “best of the Śinis”) and clarifies the hierarchy of guidance: Arjuna stands as a righteous instructor, while Kṛṣṇa is acknowledged as guru to both, reinforcing moral and strategic dependence on their leadership.