Shloka 26
भीष्म–जामदग्न्यसंवादः (Amba-prasaṅga and Kurukṣetra Dvandva Declaration) / Bhishma–Jamadagnya Dialogue
पश्य मे धनुषो वीर्य पश्य बाद्दोर्बलं मम । एष ते कार्मुकं वीर छिनझि निशितेषुणा,“अब आप मेरे धनुषकी शक्ति और मेरी भुजाओंका बल देखिये। वीर! मैं अपने बाणसे आपके धनुषको अभी काट देता हूँ
paśya me dhanuṣo vīryaṃ paśya bāhvor balaṃ mama | eṣa te kārmukaṃ vīra chindhi niśiteṣuṇā ||
Rāma sprach: „Sieh die Kraft meines Bogens; sieh die Stärke meiner Arme. O Held, noch in diesem Augenblick werde ich deinen Bogen mit einem scharfen Pfeil durchtrennen.“
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: a warrior’s honor is proven through disciplined capability and decisive action, not mere words. It also underscores the ethical dimension of combat—skill and courage are displayed openly, with a clear challenge rather than covert harm.
Rama issues a direct martial challenge, inviting the opponent to witness his bow’s power and arm-strength, and declares he will immediately sever the opponent’s bow with a sharp arrow—signaling the start or escalation of a contest of arms.