Shloka 3
Āstīka-śravaṇa-prastāvaḥ
Prelude to the Account of Āstīka) | Chapter 12 (Ādi Parva
ऋषिरुवाच श्रोष्यसि त्वं रुरो सर्वमास्तीकचरितं महत् | ब्राह्मणानां कथयतामित्युक्त्वान्तरधीयत,ऋषिने कहा--'रुरो! तुम कथावाचक ब्राह्मणोंके मुखसे आस्तीकका महान चरित्र सुनोगे।' ऐसा कहकर सहस्रपाद मुनि अन्तर्धान हो गये
ṛṣir uvāca—śroṣyasi tvaṃ ruro sarvam āstīkacaritaṃ mahat | brāhmaṇānāṃ kathayatām ity uktvāntaradhīyata ||
The sage said: “O Ruru, you will hear in full the great life-story of Āstīka, as it is recounted by Brahmin narrators.” Having spoken thus, the sage vanished from sight. The moment frames a dharmic mode of learning: sacred history is to be received through qualified transmitters, and the seeker is directed toward patient listening rather than impulsive action.
डुण्ड्रुभ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharmic learning through śravaṇa—patiently hearing sacred history from proper transmitters (Brahmin reciters), suggesting that wisdom and right action arise from disciplined reception of tradition.
A sage tells Ruru that he will hear the great account of Āstīka from Brahmin storytellers; after giving this direction, the sage vanishes, shifting the narrative to the forthcoming recitation.