Shloka 17
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
तामृचीकस्तदा दृष्टवा तस्या गर्भगतं द्विजम् । अब्रवीद् भुगुशार्दूल: स्वां भार्या देवरूपिणीम्
tām ṛcīkas tadā dṛṣṭvā tasyā garbhagataṃ dvijam | abravīd bhṛguśārdūlaḥ svāṃ bhāryāṃ devarūpiṇīm ||
Then Ṛcīka, seeing the brahmin child present within her womb, spoke to his own wife—who bore a divine radiance. The verse frames a moment of moral scrutiny within household life: the sage’s perception of what is hidden (the unborn) prompts speech that will shape duty, conduct, and the consequences of choices made within marriage and lineage.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharma in family life is guided by discernment and truthful counsel: the sage’s recognition of the unborn child becomes the basis for ethical instruction, emphasizing responsibility for intentions and actions that shape progeny and future outcomes.
Ṛcīka notices that a brahmin child is present in his wife’s womb and addresses her—described as divinely radiant—setting up a consequential conversation about what has occurred and what duties or corrections must follow.