Shloka 4
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
अग्निष्ठृतं स राजर्षिरिन्द्रद्धिष्ट महाबल: । प्रायक्षित्तेषु मर्त्यानां पुत्रकामेषु चेष्यते
agniṣṭhṛtaṃ sa rājarṣir indraddhiṣṭa mahābalaḥ | prāyaścitteṣu martyānāṃ putrakāmeṣu ceṣyate ||
Sabi ni Bhīṣma: “Isinagawa ng makapangyarihang rishi-hari ang handog na tinatawag na Agniṣṭhṛta. Sapagkat hindi ibinigay kay Indra ang pangunahing karangalan sa ritong iyon, nagkimkim si Indra ng poot laban sa sakripisyong iyon. Gayunman, sa mga tao, ang handog na ito’y itinuturing na kanais-nais—ginagawa bilang pagtubos sa pagkukulang at ginagawa rin ng mga naghahangad ng anak na lalaki.”
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.