Shloka 4
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
अग्निष्ठृतं स राजर्षिरिन्द्रद्धिष्ट महाबल: । प्रायक्षित्तेषु मर्त्यानां पुत्रकामेषु चेष्यते
agniṣṭhṛtaṃ sa rājarṣir indraddhiṣṭa mahābalaḥ | prāyaścitteṣu martyānāṃ putrakāmeṣu ceṣyate ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Aquel poderoso sabio real celebró el sacrificio llamado Agniṣṭhṛta. Como en él no se concedió a Indra el lugar preeminente, Indra concibió aversión hacia ese rito. Sin embargo, entre los mortales este sacrificio es tenido por una observancia deseable: se realiza como expiación de faltas y también por quienes anhelan un hijo».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ritual acts can serve ethical repair (prāyaścitta) and legitimate human aims (such as seeking offspring), while also warning that neglecting due honor within a sacred framework can provoke conflict—even with divine powers—thus stressing propriety and balance in dharmic practice.
Bhishma describes a royal sage who performed the Agniṣṭhṛta sacrifice. Indra became hostile because he was not accorded primacy in that rite. Despite Indra’s displeasure, the sacrifice is presented as a valued human practice for expiation and for those desiring a son.