Shloka 18
Pāṇḍu’s Marriages, Conquests, and Triumphal Return (पाण्डोर्विवाह-विजय-प्रत्यागमनम्)
स हि मामुक्तवांस्तत्र स्मरे: कृच्छेषु मामिति । त॑ स्मरिष्ये महाबाहो यदि भीष्म त्वमिच्छसि,उन्होंने जाते समय मुझसे कहा था कि संकटके समय मुझे याद करना। महाबाहु भीष्म! यदि तुम्हारी इच्छा हो, तो मैं उन्हींका स्मरण करूँ
sa hi mām uktavāṁs tatra smareḥ kṛcchreṣu mām iti | taṁ smariṣye mahābāho yadi bhīṣma tvam icchasi ||
Denn dort hatte er zu mir gesagt: „Gedenke meiner in Zeiten der Not.“ Darum, o Bhīṣma mit mächtigen Armen, wenn du es wünschst, werde ich seiner gedenken (und seine Hilfe herbeirufen).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical and devotional principle of smaraṇa—remembering a trusted protector or benefactor in times of crisis—highlighting reliance on rightful support rather than despair, and the duty to honor a prior assurance.
Vaiśampāyana reports that someone had earlier instructed him to be remembered during hardships; addressing Bhīṣma, he says that if Bhīṣma wishes, he will now remember (invoke) that person, implying a request for timely assistance in a difficult situation.