Shloka 37
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
स्त्रियाश्न मे पुत्रशतं तापसेन महात्मना । आश्रमे जनितं ब्रह्मन् नीतं तन्नगरं मया
striyāśna me putraśataṃ tāpasena mahātmanā | āśrame janitaṃ brahman nītaṃ tan nagaraṃ mayā |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Nang ako’y nasa anyong babae, ang dakilang asceta ay nagkaanak sa akin ng sandaang anak na lalaki sa loob ng ashram na ito. O Brāhmaṇa, dinala ko sila sa lungsod at ipinaupo ko rin sila sa kapangyarihang panghari.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic concern for continuity of lineage and orderly governance: even extraordinary circumstances (a transformation and ascetic procreation) are followed by responsible action—bringing the offspring into society and establishing them in rightful political roles.
Bhīṣma narrates that after taking on a female form, a great ascetic fathered a hundred sons with him in the hermitage; Bhīṣma then brought those sons to the city and arranged for their installation in rulership.