Shloka 25
Nāmānirukta of Nārāyaṇa (Keśava–Viṣṇu–Vāsudeva) and the Rudra–Nārāyaṇa Unity Theme
ततोडनध्याय इति तं व्यास: पुत्रमवारयत् | शुको वारितमात्रस्तु कौतूहलसमन्वित:
tato 'nadhyāya iti taṃ vyāsaḥ putram avārayat | śuko vāritamātras tu kautūhalasamanvitaḥ ||
Then Vyāsa stopped his son, saying, “This is a time of anadhyāya (when Vedic recitation must be suspended).” The moment he was restrained, Śuka became filled with keen curiosity, eager to know the reason for this prohibition.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even sacred learning is governed by dharma: Vedic recitation is not merely personal enthusiasm but must follow prescribed rules such as anadhyāya (times when study is suspended). Discipline and reverence for procedure are presented as integral to true learning.
Bhīṣma recounts that Vyāsa tells his son Śuka to stop Vedic study because it is an anadhyāya time. Śuka, stopped at once, becomes intensely curious to understand the reason behind the restriction.