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 said: “Let the disciple be pure, competent in duties, and endowed with virtues. With an inner attitude of goodwill, let him occasionally speak words that are pleasing to the teacher. Unagitated and self-possessed, let him look upon the guru with a calm, devoted gaze, keeping the senses under control.”
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.