Shloka 44
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
तापसी तु ततः शक्रमुवाच प्रयताउ्जलि: । स्त्रीभूतस्य हि ये पुत्रास्ते मे जीवन्तु वासव
tāpasī tu tataḥ śakram uvāca prayatāñjaliḥ | strībhūtasya hi ye putrās te me jīvantu vāsava ||
तेव्हा त्या तापसीने हात जोडून शक्र (इंद्र) यांना म्हटले—“हे वासव! स्त्रीभावात माझ्यापासून जे पुत्र जन्मले, तेच जिवंत राहोत.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic request is made through humility and devotion: the ascetic seeks the preservation of life—especially of her children—by appealing to divine authority, highlighting compassion and reverent supplication as ethical modes of action.
A female ascetic approaches Indra (Śakra), folds her hands in reverence, and asks that the sons born to her during a period when she had assumed a female form be restored to life or allowed to live.