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 ||
Wika ng pantas: “O Ruru, maririnig mo nang buo ang dakilang salaysay ng buhay ni Āstīka, gaya ng isinasalaysay ng mga Brahmin na tagapagsalaysay.” Pagkasabi nito, naglaho sa paningin ang pantas.
डुण्ड्रुभ उवाच
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.