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 ||
“Wahai dvija, adakah tuan tiba di sini dengan selesa dan sejahtera? Katakanlah, apakah hajat yang ingin tuan capai melalui diriku? Sebutkan—apa pun yang tuan perintahkan, akan aku laksanakan sepenuhnya.”
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.