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 |
بھیشم نے کہا— جب میں نے عورت کا روپ اختیار کیا تو اس مہاتما تپسوی نے اسی آشرم میں میرے بطن سے سو بیٹے پیدا کیے۔ اے برہمن! میں اُن سب کو شہر لے گئی اور انہیں بھی شاہی اقتدار پر قائم کر دیا۔
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.