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:
carudvayam idaṃ caiva mantrapūtaṃ śucismite | tvaṃ ca sā copabhujjītaṃ tataḥ putrāv avāpsyatha ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô dame au sourire pur et lumineux, j’ai préparé ces deux parts de caru—riz d’oblation—sanctifiées par les mantras. Toi et elle (ta mère) devez en prendre chacune une part ; alors vous obtiendrez toutes deux des fils.»
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.