Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 31
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
इत्युक्त: स मुनिश्रेष्ठीयदाह प्रपितामह: । तत् ते5हं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि शूणु शिष्य यथागमम्
ity uktaḥ sa muniśreṣṭho yad āha prapitāmahaḥ | tat te 'haṃ sampravakṣyāmi śṛṇu śiṣya yathāgamam ||
मुनिश्रेष्ठ महर्षियों के ऐसा कहने पर प्रपितामह ब्रह्मा ने उत्तर दिया—हे शिष्य! जो उपदेश उन्होंने दिया, वही मैं तुम्हें आगम-परम्परा के अनुसार पूर्ण रूप से सुनाता हूँ; ध्यान से सुनो।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that dharma-knowledge should be transmitted faithfully: the speaker promises to explain Brahmā’s words completely, 'according to Āgama' (authoritative tradition), and instructs the disciple to listen attentively—highlighting disciplined reception and reliable lineage of teaching.
Vāyudeva signals a shift into reported speech: after the foremost sage(s) speak, Brahmā responds; Vāyudeva now prepares to relay Brahmā’s response to his disciple, framing the next section as an authoritative, tradition-grounded exposition.