Shloka 4
Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas
Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue
भगवन्तं प्रपन्नो5हं नि:श्रेयसपरायण: । याचे त्वां शिरसा विप्र यद् ब्रूयां ब्रूहि तन्मम,भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने कहा--अर्जुन इस विषयको लेकर गुरु और शिणष्यमें जो मोक्षविषयक संवाद हुआ था, वह प्राचीन इतिहास बतलाया जा रहा है। एक दिन उत्तम व्रतका पालन करनेवाले एक ब्रह्मवेत्ता आचार्य अपने आसनपर विराजमान थे। परंतप! उस समय किसी बुद्धिमान् शिष्यने उनके पास जाकर निवेदन किया--'भगवन्! मैं कल्याणमार्ममें प्रवृत्त होकर आपकी शरणमें आया हूँ और आपके चरणोंमें मस्तक झुकाकर याचना करता हूँ कि मैं जो कुछ पूछूँ; उसका उत्तर दीजिये। मैं जानना चाहता हूँ कि श्रेय क्या है?”
bhagavantaṃ prapanno ’haṃ niḥśreyasaparāyaṇaḥ | yāce tvāṃ śirasā vipra yad brūyāṃ brūhi tan mama ||
I have taken refuge in you, O venerable one, with my whole being set upon the highest good (final beatitude). O Brahmin-sage, I bow my head and entreat you: whatever I may ask, tell me that—grant me the answer. I wish to understand what truly constitutes ‘the good’ that leads to ultimate welfare and liberation.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models the proper attitude for liberation-oriented learning: humble surrender to a qualified teacher and a focused quest for niḥśreyasa—the highest, lasting good (often aligned with mokṣa). Ethical learning begins with reverence, clarity of aim, and readiness to be instructed.
A seeker approaches a revered Brahmin-sage/teacher, bows in humility, and requests instruction. He frames his inquiry as a quest for ultimate welfare, asking the teacher to answer whatever he is about to ask—specifically, what constitutes true ‘śreyas’ (the good).