Shloka 4
Nārāyaṇasya Guhya-nāmāni Niruktāni (Etymologies of Nārāyaṇa’s Secret Epithets) / नारायणस्य गुह्यनामानि निरुक्तानि
नारदस्य वच: श्रुत्वा शुक: प्रोवाच भारत | अस्मिल्लोके हितं यत् स्यात् तेन मां योक्तुमहसि,भरतनन्दन! नारदजीकी यह बात सुनकर शुकदेवने कहा--“इस लोकमें जो परम कल्याणका साधन हो, उसीका मुझे उपदेश देनेकी कृपा करें”
nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā śukaḥ provāca bhārata | asmin loke hitaṃ yat syāt tena māṃ yoktum arhasi bharatanandana ||
Hearing Nārada’s words, Śuka said, “O Bhārata, please instruct me in that which would be truly beneficial in this world—the means to the highest welfare.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ethical aim of instruction as 'hita'—what truly benefits and leads to the highest welfare in worldly life. Śuka requests guidance not for mere knowledge, but for a path that is practically and spiritually salutary.
After hearing Nārada speak, Śuka responds respectfully and asks to be guided toward the most beneficial course in this world, signaling a teacher–student exchange focused on dharma and ultimate well-being.