Shloka 28
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
चरुद्वयमिदं चैव मन्त्रपूतं शुचिस्मिते । त्वंच सा चोपभुज्जीतं ततः पुत्राववाप्स्थथ:
carudvayam idaṃ caiva mantrapūtaṃ śucismite | tvaṃ ca sā copabhujjītaṃ tataḥ putrāv avāpsyatha ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “O ginang na may dalisay at maningning na ngiti, inihanda ko ang dalawang bahagi ng caru—kaning handog—na pinabanal ng mga mantra. Kainin ninyo ng iyong ina ang tig-iisang bahagi; at pagkaraan, kayong dalawa ay magkakamit ng mga anak na lalaki.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that desired outcomes—here, the begetting of heirs—should be pursued through dharmic, ritually sanctioned means (mantra-purified offerings), highlighting order, restraint, and legitimacy rather than impulsive or unethical action.
Bhishma instructs a woman addressed as “śucismitā” that two mantra-consecrated portions of caru have been prepared; she and another woman (referred to as “sā,” understood in context as the mother) should eat them, after which they will each obtain a son.