Phala of Vrata, Niyama, Svādhyāya, Dama, Satya, Brahmacarya, and Service (व्रत-नियम-स्वाध्याय-दम-सत्य-ब्रह्मचर्य-शुश्रूषा-फलप्रश्नः)
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । ऋषेरुद्दालकेर्वाक्यं नाचिकेतस्य चो भयो:
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | ṛṣer uddālaker vākyaṃ nāciketasya ca ubhayoḥ ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ରାଜନ୍! ଏହି ବିଷୟରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପଣ୍ଡିତମାନେ ଏକ ପୁରାତନ ଇତିହାସକୁ ଉଦାହରଣ ଭାବେ ଉଦ୍ଧୃତ କରନ୍ତି—ଋଷି ଉଦ୍ଦାଲକ ଓ ନାଚିକେତ, ଉଭୟଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ୟସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ସେହି ସଂବାଦ।
भीष्म उवाच
Bhishma signals that ethical instruction is best grounded in authoritative precedent: he introduces an ancient exemplary narrative (itihāsa) and frames it as a reliable guide for dharma through the remembered words of revered speakers.
Bhishma begins a new illustrative episode, announcing that learned people cite an old account—specifically a dialogue involving the sage Uddālaka and Nāciketas—before proceeding to recount it.