Shloka 50
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
रूयुवाच स्त्रीत्वमेव वृणे शक्र पुंस्त्वं नेच्छामि वासव । एवमुक्तस्तु देवेन्द्रस्तां स्त्रियं प्रत्युवाच ह
bhīṣma uvāca | strītvam eva vṛṇe śakra puṁstvaṁ necchāmi vāsava | evam uktas tu devendras tāṁ striyaṁ pratyuvāca ha |
عورت نے کہا— “اے شکر! میں صرف عورت ہونے کو ہی چنتی ہوں؛ اے واسَو! اب میں مرد بننا نہیں چاہتی۔” یہ سن کر دیوراج اندر نے اس عورت سے پھر کلام کیا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical agency: even when a powerful deity is addressed, the speaker asserts a deliberate choice regarding identity and embodiment. It suggests that dharma involves owning one’s chosen path and accepting its consequences, rather than seeking advantage through a change of form.
A woman speaks to Indra (Śakra/Vāsava), declaring that she chooses to remain a woman and does not want manhood. Indra, hearing this, responds by questioning her—continuing a divine-human (or divine-mortal) exchange about her wish and its implications.