Shloka 4
स्थिते तिष्ठेद् व्रजेद् याते नीचैर् आसीत चासति शिष्यो गुरौ नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रतिकूलं न संचरेत्
sthite tiṣṭhed vrajed yāte nīcair āsīta cāsati śiṣyo gurau nṛpaśreṣṭha pratikūlaṃ na saṃcaret
O best of kings, when the teacher stands the disciple should stand; when the teacher walks he should follow; when the teacher sits he should sit humbly. In the guru’s presence, the disciple must never act or move in a contrary, disrespectful way.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya; addressed as 'O best of kings' in the didactic style)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Etiquette of the disciple in the guru’s presence; prohibition of contrary conduct
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: strict
Concept: The disciple must mirror the guru’s posture and movement with humility and never behave in a manner opposed to the teacher’s dignity or instruction.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice embodied humility—attentive listening, non-defensive correction, and respectful conduct in learning environments.
Vishishtadvaita: Authority (ācārya) is a sacred conduit: honoring the guru safeguards the transmission of divine knowledge that culminates in devotion to the Supreme.
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
This verse frames humility and obedience to the guru as a practical expression of dharma—outer order that cultivates inner fitness for higher knowledge and devotion.
By giving concrete etiquette—stand when the guru stands, follow when he walks, sit humbly when he sits—Parāśara presents reverence as lived practice, not merely belief.
Though Vishnu is not named here, the discipline taught is a preparatory path: reverent service and self-restraint align the disciple with dharma, leading toward devotion and right understanding of Vishnu as the supreme ground of order.