Adhyāya 51: Kṛṣṇa’s Leave-Taking and Departure for Dvārakā (द्वारकागमनानुमति)
अर्जुन उवाच को न्वसौ ब्राह्मण: कृष्ण कश्च शिष्यो जनार्दन । श्रोतव्यं चेन्मयैतद् वै तत्त्वमाचक्ष्व मे विभो
arjuna uvāca: ko nvasau brāhmaṇaḥ kṛṣṇa kaś ca śiṣyo janārdana | śrotavyaṃ cen mayaitad vai tattvam ācakṣva me vibho ||
Arjuna dijo: «Oh Krishna, oh Janardana: ¿quién era en verdad aquel brahmán y quién era el discípulo? Oh Señor, si esta verdad es digna de que yo la escuche, explícamela con precisión.»
अर्जुन उवाच
The verse foregrounds dharmic humility and the ethics of learning: Arjuna does not demand knowledge as a right, but asks whether the truth is ‘fit to be heard’ (śrotavya). It highlights the proper approach to sacred or subtle instruction—seeking clarity (tattva) from a trustworthy authority (Krishna) with reverence and readiness.
Arjuna, addressing Krishna as Janardana and Vibhu, asks for identification of two figures previously alluded to in the discourse: a Brahmin and a disciple. He requests Krishna to disclose, accurately and fully, who the teacher and student were, provided the matter is appropriate for Arjuna to hear.