Shloka 19
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
ततो<हं भरतश्रेष्ठ वेगवन्तं महाबलम् । अमुज्चं समरे बाणं रामाय हृदयच्छिदम्,भरतश्रेष्ठ] उस समरभूमिमें मैंने परशुरामजीकी ओर एक प्रबल एवं वेगवान् बाण चलाया, जो हृदयको विदीर्ण कर देनेवाला था
tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha vegavantaṃ mahābalam | amuñcaṃ samare bāṇaṃ rāmāya hṛdayacchidam ||
Dann, o Bester der Bharatas, ließ ich auf jenem Schlachtfeld gegen Rāma einen schnellen und mächtigen Pfeil los—einen, der das Herz durchbohren und spalten sollte.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stern clarity of kṣatriya-dharma: once a righteous combat is joined, one must act with full resolve, even against a highly respected and powerful adversary. Duty in war demands firmness, not half-measures.
Bhīṣma narrates that during the battle he shot a swift, powerful, heart-piercing arrow at Rāma (Paraśurāma), emphasizing the intensity of their confrontation and his own unwavering martial determination.