Shloka 3
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
पुरा भंगास्वनो नाम राजर्षिरतिधार्मिक: । अपुत्र: पुरुषव्याघ्र पुत्रार्थ यज्ञमाहरत्
purā bhaṅgāśvano nāma rājarṣir atidhārmikaḥ | aputraḥ puruṣavyāghra putrārthaṁ yajñam āharat ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «En tiempos antiguos vivió un sabio real llamado Bhangaāśvana, extraordinariamente entregado al dharma. Oh tigre entre los hombres, al no tener hijo, emprendió un sacrificio con el propósito de obtener descendencia».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic means: even a powerful and righteous ruler seeks personal aims (like progeny) through sanctioned, ethical Vedic action (yajña), not through improper or harmful methods.
Bhishma begins an illustrative ancient account: the royal sage Bhangāśva, lacking a son, undertakes a sacrifice specifically intended to obtain offspring.