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
Although the Queen had no son, after eating that food, which had the power to produce a male child, she became pregnant by her husband, and in due course of time she gave birth to a son.
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.