Shloka 4
वनप्रस्थानम् (Departure for the Forest) — Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 24
एवमुक्ते प्रत्युवाच धर्मराजं धनंजय: । गुरुवन्मानवगुरुं मानयित्वा मनस्विनम्,धर्मराजके ऐसा कहनेपर अर्जुनने उन मनस्वी मानवगुरु युधिष्ठिरका गुरुतुल्य सम्मान करके उनसे इस प्रकार कहा
evam ukte pratyuvāca dharmarājaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ | guruvan mānavaguruṃ mānayitvā manasvinam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: When the Dharma-king (Yudhiṣṭhira) had spoken thus, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) replied. First honoring that high-minded guide of men with the reverence due to a teacher, he then addressed the Dharma-king in return.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic communication: even in disagreement or counsel, one should respond with reverence toward moral authority and elders. Ethical speech begins with honoring the person addressed, especially when they function as a ‘guru’ in wisdom and conduct.
After Yudhiṣṭhira has spoken, Arjuna prepares to answer. The narrator emphasizes Arjuna’s posture: he first shows guru-like respect to the noble-minded Dharmarāja and then replies, signaling that the ensuing dialogue is framed by discipline, humility, and righteous decorum.