Shloka 14
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
छायाभूताय दान्ताय यतते ब्रह्मचारिणे । तान् प्रश्नानब्रवीत् पार्थ मेधावी स धृतव्रत: । गुरु: कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ सम्यक् सर्वानरिंदम
chāyābhūtāya dāntāya yatate brahmacāriṇe | tān praśnān abravīt pārtha medhāvī sa dhṛtavrataḥ ||
Ô Pārtha (Arjuna), le maître, sage et ferme dans ses vœux, répondit correctement à toutes ces questions. Le disciple s’était approché du guru dans un abandon total —paisible, maître de lui, discipliné et voué au brahmacarya— le servant de près comme une ombre et interrogeant selon la manière convenable. Ainsi, le précepteur, fidèle à ses vœux, donna des réponses exactes à tout ce qui avait été demandé.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True learning in the Mahābhārata is grounded in character: the student approaches the teacher with surrender, restraint, and steady service, and asks questions appropriately; in response, a vow-steady, discerning guru gives clear and accurate instruction. The verse highlights that ethical discipline and humility are prerequisites for receiving knowledge.
Vāyudeva addresses Arjuna and describes a model disciple—calm, self-controlled, brahmacārī, and constantly serving the guru like a shadow—who asks proper questions. The teacher, described as wise and firm in vows, then answers all those questions correctly.