Shloka 25
न चेद् गुहां महाबाहो श्रोतव्यं चेद् भवेन््मम । शिष्यवत् त्वां तु पृष्छामि उपपन्नो5स्मि तेडनघ,“महाबाहो! यदि कोई गुप्त बात न हो और वह मेरे सुननेयोग्य हो, तो बताइये। अनघ! मैं आपकी शरणमें आया हूँ और शिष्यभावसे पूछता हूँ। अत: अवश्य बतानेकी कृपा करें!
na ced guhyaṃ mahābāho śrotavyaṃ ced bhaven mama | śiṣyavat tvāṃ tu pṛcchāmi upapanno 'smi te 'nagha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O mighty-armed one, if this is not a secret and if it is fit for me to hear, then please tell me. O blameless one, I have come to you for refuge; I ask you in the spirit of a disciple. Therefore, be gracious and explain.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models the ethics of inquiry: one should seek instruction with humility, acknowledge boundaries of confidentiality (guhya), and approach a worthy person as a disciple, requesting only what is appropriate to hear.
The speaker frames a respectful request for instruction, asking the addressed person to disclose a matter only if it is not secret and is suitable for the listener, emphasizing that the question is asked in a disciple-like, surrendered posture.