Shloka 38
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
सुखं प्राप्तो भवान् कच्चित् कि वा मत्तश्चिकीर्षति । ब्रृहि सर्व करिष्यामि यन्मां वक्ष्यसि वै द्विज,“ब्रह्म! आप सुखपूर्वक यहाँ आये हैं न? बताइये मुझसे किस कार्यकी सिद्धि चाहते हैं? आप मुझसे जो-जो कहेंगे, वह सब पूर्ण करूँगा
sukhaṁ prāpto bhavān kaccit ki vā mattaś cikīrṣati | brūhi sarvaṁ kariṣyāmi yan māṁ vakṣyasi vai dvija ||
«أقدِمتَ إلى هنا في راحةٍ وسلام، أيها المولودُ مرّتَين؟ أخبرني: أيَّ غايةٍ تريد أن تُنجَزَ بي؟ قُلْ—فكلُّ ما تأمرني به، أيها البراهمي، أُتمّه على وجه الكمال.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct: greeting a guest with concern for their well-being, speaking respectfully, and offering sincere assistance—especially toward a learned person—reflecting humility and readiness to serve righteous purposes.
Bhishma addresses a visiting dvija, inquiring whether he has come safely and comfortably, and asks what task the visitor wishes to accomplish through him, promising to fulfill whatever request is made.