Shloka 52
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
स्त्रिया: पुरुषसंयोगे प्रीतिरभ्यधिका सदा । एतस्मात् कारणाच्छक्र स्त्रीत्वमेव वृणोम्पहम्
striyāḥ puruṣa-saṃyoge prītir abhyadhikā sadā | etasmāt kāraṇāc chakra strītvam eva vṛṇomi aham, devendra |
“ହେ ଶକ୍ର, ଦେବେନ୍ଦ୍ର! ପୁରୁଷସହ ସଂଯୋଗରେ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କୁ ସଦା ଅଧିକ ପ୍ରୀତି (ବିଷୟସୁଖ) ମିଳେ; ଏହି କାରଣରୁ ମୁଁ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀତ୍ୱକୁ ହିଁ ବରଣ କରୁଛି।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a comparative claim about sensual delight in sexual union—stating that a woman’s pleasure is greater—and uses that claim to justify a deliberate preference for womanhood. It frames bodily experience as a factor in personal choice, while remaining within a didactic dialogue addressed to Indra.
Bhīṣma addresses Indra (Śakra/Devendra) and states a reasoned preference: because women are said to experience greater pleasure in union with men, he declares that he would choose to be a woman. The line functions as a pointed remark within a moral-discursive context rather than battlefield narration.