Shloka 36
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
दृष्टवा गर्भगनुप्राप्तां भार्या स च महानृषि: । उवाच तां सत्यवतीं दुर्मना भृगुसत्तम:
dṛṣṭvā garbhaganūprāptāṃ bhāryāṃ sa ca mahānṛṣiḥ | uvāca tāṃ satyavatīṃ durmanā bhṛgusattamaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: Nang makita niyang nagdadalang-tao na ang kanyang asawa, ang dakilang rishi—ang pinakadakila sa angkan ng Bhṛgu—ay nagsalita kay Satyavatī na may bagabag sa dibdib. Ang sandaling iyon ay naglalatag ng bigat ng tunggalian sa moralidad: ang nalalapit na pagsilang ang naging hudyat ng isang mabigat na pag-uusap na puno ng tungkulin, kung saan ang damdamin at ang hinihingi ng dharma ay halos magsalpukan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how major ethical decisions often arise at pivotal life-events (like pregnancy and continuation of lineage). It signals that dharma is not merely abstract: it must be faced amid strong emotions, where a wise person must speak and act with responsibility despite inner distress.
Bhīṣma narrates that a great Bhṛgu sage sees his wife is pregnant and, feeling troubled, addresses Satyavatī. The verse functions as a narrative hinge: the sage’s disturbed state foreshadows a serious discussion or decision connected with the pregnancy and its implications.