Shloka 14

Brahma-vidyā: Satya–Tapas and the Enumeration of Tattvas

Arjuna–Vāsudeva framed dialogue

Devanagari script

छायाभूताय दान्ताय यतते ब्रह्मचारिणे । तान्‌ प्रश्नानब्रवीत्‌ पार्थ मेधावी स धृतव्रत: । गुरु: कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ सम्यक्‌ सर्वानरिंदम

Transliteration

chāyābhūtāya dāntāya yatate brahmacāriṇe | tān praśnān abravīt pārtha medhāvī sa dhṛtavrataḥ ||

Translation

О Партха (Арджуна), мудрый и стойкий в обетах учитель должным образом ответил на все те вопросы. Ученик приблизился к гуру в полном предании — спокойный, владеющий собой, дисциплинированный и преданный брахмачарье, — служа ему рядом, словно тень, и вопрошая в подобающей форме. Так наставник, твёрдый в обетах, дал точные ответы на всё, о чём его спросили.

Word by Word

• छायाभूताय: to one who had become like a shadow (ever-attendant)
• छायाभूताय: Sampradana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छायाभूत
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• दान्ताय: to the self-controlled
• दान्ताय: Sampradana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• यतते: (he) strives/endeavours
• Type: Verb
• Root: यत्
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Atmanepada

• ब्रह्मचारिणे: to the brahmacārin (celibate student)
• ब्रह्मचारिणे: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• तान्: those
• तान्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• प्रश्नान्: questions
• प्रश्नान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रश्न
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू
• Form: Imperfect (Past), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• पार्थ: O Pārtha (Arjuna)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• मेधावी: intelligent, wise
• मेधावी: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेधाविन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धृतव्रतः: firm in vows, vow-observant
• धृतव्रतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृतव्रत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वायुदेव (Vāyudeva)
• पार्थ / अर्जुन (Pārtha/Arjuna)
• गुरु (the teacher)
• शिष्य (the disciple)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.