Shloka 413
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
इष्टस्त्रिदशशार्टूल तत्र मे क्षन्तुमरहसि । इन्द्रको देखकर वे स्त्रीरूपधारी राजर्षि उनके चरणोंमें सिर रखकर बोले--'सुरश्रेष्ठ आप प्रसन्न हों। मैंने पुत्रकी इच्छासे वह यज्ञ किया था। देवेश्वर! उसके लिये आप मुझे क्षमा करें!
iṣṭas tridaśaśārṭūla tatra me kṣantum arhasi |
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai Indra, harimau di antara para dewa, berkenanlah dan ampunilah aku dalam hal ini. Aku melaksanakan korban suci itu kerana kerinduan akan seorang putera; maka, wahai Tuhan para dewa, maafkanlah aku.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral responsibility and humility: even when one performs a sanctioned ritual, motives rooted in personal craving should be acknowledged, and one should seek forgiveness and correction from higher dharmic authority.
A speaker addresses Indra with reverence, asking pardon for having performed a sacrifice motivated by the desire for a son, framing the act within a plea for divine forgiveness.