Shloka 22
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
आह पुत्रांस्ततः सो5थ स्त्रीभूत: पार्थिवोत्तम: । सम्प्रीत्या भुज्यतां राज्यं वनं यास्यामि पुत्रका:
āha putrāṁs tataḥ so ’tha strībhūtaḥ pārthivottamaḥ | samprītyā bhujyatāṁ rājyaṁ vanaṁ yāsyāmi putrakāḥ ||
Sabi ni Bhīṣma: Pagkaraan, ang pinakadakilang hari—na nabago na at naging babae—ay nagsalita sa kaniyang mga anak: “Mga minamahal kong anak, mamuhay kayo sa pag-iibigan at pagkakaisa at tamasahin ang kaharian. Ako nama’y tutungo sa gubat.” Ang pahayag na ito’y isang sinadyang pagtalikod: inuuna ng pinuno ang pagkakaisa ng lipunan at maayos na pagmamana ng kapangyarihan kaysa sa sariling pag-angkin, at kusang lumalayo upang maiwasan ang alitan at mapanatili ang dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship through restraint: when personal circumstances could destabilize rule, the ruler chooses renunciation and urges his heirs to govern in concord. Harmony (samprīti) and orderly succession are treated as higher goods than individual attachment to power.
A foremost king, having been transformed into a woman, addresses his sons and instructs them to enjoy and administer the kingdom with mutual affection, while he himself resolves to depart to the forest—signaling withdrawal from worldly rule to avoid discord.