Shloka 28
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
चरुद्वयमिदं चैव मन्त्रपूतं शुचिस्मिते । त्वंच सा चोपभुज्जीतं ततः पुत्राववाप्स्थथ:,“पवित्र मुसकानवाली देवि! मैंने ये दो मन्त्रपूत चरु तैयार किये हैं। इनमेंसे एकको तुम खा लो और दूसरेको तुम्हारी माता। इससे तुम दोनोंको पुत्र प्राप्त होंगे!
carudvayam idaṃ caiva mantrapūtaṃ śucismite | tvaṃ ca sā copabhujjītaṃ tataḥ putrāv avāpsyatha ||
Bhīṣma said: “O lady of pure, radiant smile, I have prepared these two portions of caru—sacrificial rice—sanctified by mantra. You and she should partake of them; then the two of you will obtain sons.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that desired outcomes—here, the begetting of heirs—should be pursued through dharmic, ritually sanctioned means (mantra-purified offerings), highlighting order, restraint, and legitimacy rather than impulsive or unethical action.
Bhishma instructs a woman addressed as “śucismitā” that two mantra-consecrated portions of caru have been prepared; she and another woman (referred to as “sā,” understood in context as the mother) should eat them, after which they will each obtain a son.