Shloka 34
Droṇotpattiḥ and Dhanurveda-Prāpti
Origin of Droṇa and Acquisition of Martial Science
आत्मकीये वरारोहे शयनीये चतुर्दशीम् । अष्टमी वा ऋतुस्नाता संविशेथा मया सह,“वरारोहे! तुम ऋतुस्नाता होनेपर चतुर्दशी या अष्टमीकी रातमें अपनी शय्यापर मेरे इस शवके साथ सो जाना”
ātmākīye varārohe śayanīye caturdaśīm | aṣṭamī vā ṛtusnātā saṁviśethā mayā saha ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai wanita berpinggul elok, setelah engkau mandi suci usai masa haidmu, pada malam keempat belas—atau pada malam kedelapan—berbaringlah di ranjangmu sendiri bersama denganku.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ritual language and auspicious timing (tithis, post-menstrual purification) can be invoked to cloak morally problematic intentions. It invites ethical reflection on dharma as not merely ritual correctness but also right conduct—especially regarding consent and the misuse of authority.
A man addresses a woman with flattering words and instructs her to lie with him on her bed on a specified lunar night after her post-menstrual bath. The instruction is framed with ritual markers, suggesting an attempt to normalize or justify the act through culturally recognized notions of purity and timing.