Śrāddha-Kalpa: Pitṛ-Pūjā and Tithi-Phala (श्राद्धकल्पः पितृपूजा च तिथिफलम्)
भीष्म उवाच शृणु राजन्नवहितो बहुकारणविस्तरम् । जातरूपसमुत्पत्तिमनुभूतं च यन््मया
bhīṣma uvāca: śṛṇu rājann avahito bahu-kāraṇa-vistaram | jātarūpa-samutpattim anubhūtaṃ ca yan mayā ||
Bhishma said: “O King, listen with full attention to this account, expansive in its many causes. I shall relate to you the origin of gold (jātarūpa) as I have understood and experienced it, setting forth the matter in due order.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse frames a careful, attentive reception of instruction: Bhishma signals that the topic (the origin and significance of gold) has multiple causes and requires disciplined listening, implying that discussions of wealth should be approached with discernment and ethical awareness.
In Anushasana Parva’s instructional setting, Bhishma addresses King Yudhishthira and introduces a detailed explanation about how gold originated, stating that he will recount it based on what he has personally understood/experienced.