Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 38
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
सा तत्पुंसवनं राज्ञी प्राश्य वै पत्युरादधे । गर्भं काल उपावृत्ते कुमारं सुषुवेऽप्रजा ॥ ३८ ॥
sā tat puṁ-savanaṁ rājñī prāśya vai patyur ādadhe garbhaṁ kāla upāvṛtte kumāraṁ suṣuve ’prajā
যদিও রাণীর কোন পুত্র ছিল না, সেই পুংসবন অন্ন ভক্ষণ করে তিনি পতির দ্বারা গর্ভবতী হলেন এবং যথাসময়ে এক পুত্র প্রসব করলেন।
Among the ten kinds of purificatory processes, one is puṁ-savanam, in which the wife is offered some prasāda, or remnants of foodstuff offered to Lord Viṣṇu, so that after sexual intercourse with her husband she may conceive a child.
FAQs
This verse shows puṁsavana as a Vedic rite taken by a wife under her husband’s guidance, leading to conception and the blessing of a son when the proper time comes.
The narration highlights that despite earlier lack of offspring, by following dharmic rites and when time became favorable, she conceived and delivered a son—showing providence working through dharma.
It encourages honoring sacred responsibility in family life—acting with faith, purity, and patience, and recognizing that results come in due time.