Shloka 4
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
अग्निष्ठृतं स राजर्षिरिन्द्रद्धिष्ट महाबल: । प्रायक्षित्तेषु मर्त्यानां पुत्रकामेषु चेष्यते,उन महाबली राजर्षिने अग्निष्टत नामक यज्ञका आयोजन किया था। उसमें इन्द्रकी प्रधानता न होनेके कारण इन्द्र उस यज्ञसे द्वेष रखते हैं। वह यज्ञ मनुष्योंके प्रायश्रित्तके अवसरपर अथवा पुत्रकी कामना होनेपर अभीष्ट मानकर किया जाता है
agniṣṭhṛtaṃ sa rājarṣir indraddhiṣṭa mahābalaḥ | prāyaścitteṣu martyānāṃ putrakāmeṣu ceṣyate ||
अग्निष्टृतं स राजर्षिरिन्द्रद्विष्टं महाबलः। प्रायश्चित्तेषु मर्त्यानां पुत्रकामेषु चेष्यते॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ritual acts can serve ethical repair (prāyaścitta) and legitimate human aims (such as seeking offspring), while also warning that neglecting due honor within a sacred framework can provoke conflict—even with divine powers—thus stressing propriety and balance in dharmic practice.
Bhishma describes a royal sage who performed the Agniṣṭhṛta sacrifice. Indra became hostile because he was not accorded primacy in that rite. Despite Indra’s displeasure, the sacrifice is presented as a valued human practice for expiation and for those desiring a son.