Shloka 32
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
तच्छुत्वा तापसी चापि संतप्ता प्ररुरोद ह । ब्राह्मणच्छटझनाभ्येत्य तामिन्द्रो5थान्वपृच्छत
tac chrutvā tāpasī cāpi santaptā praruroda ha | brāhmaṇacchadmaṇābhyetya tām indro 'thānvapṛcchat ||
Mendengar kabar itu, perempuan pertapa itu diliputi duka dan menangis tersedu-sedu. Lalu Indra mendekatinya dengan menyamar sebagai seorang brāhmaṇa dan bertanya kepadanya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense grief can arise even in one devoted to austerity, and how dharma is often clarified through inquiry and testing—here symbolized by Indra’s approach in disguise to question and discern the deeper truth behind the event.
After hearing some troubling news, the female ascetic breaks down in tears. Indra arrives near her, concealing his identity by taking on the appearance of a brāhmaṇa, and begins to question her about what has happened.