Shloka 18
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
ततोऊहं स्वयमुद्यम्य हयांस्तान् वातरंहस: । अयुध्यं जामदग्न्येन निवृत्तेडहनि भारत
tato ’haṁ svayam udyamya hayāṁs tān vātarāṁhasaḥ | ayudhyaṁ jāmadagnyena nivṛtte ’hani bhārata ||
Darauf, o Bhārata, nahm ich selbst die Zügel jener windesschnellen Pferde fest in die Hand und trat in den Kampf mit Jāmadagnya Paraśurāma. Da war der Tag schon nahezu verstrichen.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in duty: even as the day wanes, Bhīṣma maintains discipline (controlling the horses) and commitment to the obligations of a warrior, suggesting that righteous resolve requires both inner control and outward courage.
Bhīṣma narrates that he personally restrains his wind-swift horses and then fights Paraśurāma (Jāmadagnya). The battle is occurring late in the day, with daylight nearly over.