गच्छस्व सुकृतं कृत्वा कि चान्यच्छोतुमिच्छसि । यावद् ब्रवीमि विप्रर्षे अष्टावक्र यथातथम्,ब्रह्मर्षि अष्टावक्र! आप पुण्यका उपार्जन करके जाइये। और क्या सुनना चाहते हैं? कहिये, मैं वह सब कुछ यथार्थरूपसे बताऊँगी
gacchasva sukṛtaṃ kṛtvā kiṃ cānyac chrotum icchasi | yāvad bravīmi viprarṣe aṣṭāvakra yathātatham ||
“Go now, having performed meritorious deeds. What else do you wish to hear? Speak, O best of seers, Aṣṭāvakra—so long as I may speak, I shall tell you everything exactly as it is.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse emphasizes the value of sukṛta (meritorious conduct) and the commitment to yathātatham—speaking truthfully and precisely. Ethical instruction is framed as something to be sought deliberately, and the teacher promises accuracy rather than embellishment.
Bhīṣma addresses the sage Aṣṭāvakra, indicating that the listener may depart after accruing merit, yet inviting further questions. Bhīṣma offers to explain matters fully and truthfully for as long as he is able to speak.