For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 74
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Chief among Ben 'Azzai's teachers was Joshua b. Hananiah, whose opinions he expounded (Parah i. 1), proved to be correct (Yeb. iv. 13), or defended against R.Akiba (Yoma ii. 3; Ta'anit iv. 4; Tosef., Sheb. ii. 13).
R. Akiba himself was not really Ben 'Azzai's teacher, although the latter occasionally calls him so, and, in our daf, says of himself "חֲבָל עָלֶיךָ בֶּן עַזַּאי"
that he did not stand in closer relation as pupil to Akiba he expressed the same regret in regard to Ishmael b. Elisha (Ḥul. 71a).
In his halakic opinions and Biblical exegesis, as well as in other sayings, Ben 'Azzai follows RAkiba; and, from the tone in which he speaks of R.Akiba elsewhere the Amoraim concluded that his relations with Akiba were both those of pupil and of colleague.
We explore this relationship, especially regarding his tragic end in the Pardes (for men see my Dad Ditty Yevamot 111)