Shloka 4
Teaching of Karma-yoga
Student Conduct, Vedic Study, and Gāyatrī Supremacy
नीचैः शय्यासनं चास्य सर्वदा गुरुसन्निधौ । गुरोस्तु चक्षुर्विषयेन यथेष्टासनो भवेत्
nīcaiḥ śayyāsanaṃ cāsya sarvadā gurusannidhau | gurostu cakṣurviṣayena yatheṣṭāsano bhavet
குருவின் சன்னிதியில் எப்போதும் தன் படுக்கையும் ஆசனமும் தாழ்வாகவே வைத்திருக்க வேண்டும். குருவின் பார்வை எல்லைக்குள் ஏற்றதாய் இருப்பதுபோலவே அமர வேண்டும்; மனம்போனபடி அல்ல.
Unspecified (narratorial/instructional voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa’s discourse on conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चास्य = च + अस्य (अ + अ → आ). गुरोस्तु = गुरोः + तु (ः + त → स्त). चक्षुर्विषयेन = चक्षुः + विषयेन (ः + व → र्व). यथेष्टासनो = यथा + इष्ट + आसनः (यथा + इष्ट → यथेष्ट; अ + आ → आ).
FAQs
It instructs a student to keep their seat and bed lower than the guru’s and to sit only in a manner appropriate under the guru’s direct awareness, emphasizing humility and discipline.
It implies maintaining respectful visibility and accountability—avoiding casual or self-willed postures and remaining attentive to the guru’s presence and guidance.
The ethical lesson is vinaya (humility) and maryādā (proper decorum): reverence is expressed through physical conduct, restraint, and deference in the teacher’s presence.