Shloka 10
अम्बाया निर्वेदः तपोव्रताभ्यर्थना च
Ambā’s Despair and Petition for Ascetic Vows
कृपां कुरु महाबाहो मयि धर्मभूतां वर । त्वं हि सत्यव्रतो वीर पृथिव्यामिति न: श्रुतम्,'धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ महाबाहु वीर! मुझपर कृपा करो। मैंने सुना है कि इस पृथ्वीपर तुम सत्यव्रती महात्मा हो"
kṛpāṃ kuru mahābāho mayi dharmabhūtāṃ vara | tvaṃ hi satyavrato vīra pṛthivyām iti naḥ śrutam ||
Bhīṣma said: “Show compassion to me, O mighty-armed one—compassion grounded in dharma, O best of men. For we have heard it said upon this earth that you, O hero, are steadfast in your vow of truth.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Compassion is presented as truly virtuous only when it aligns with dharma, and a person’s commitment to truth (satyavrata) becomes a moral authority that others can appeal to in moments of conflict.
Bhīṣma addresses a powerful hero and requests mercy toward himself, strengthening his plea by invoking the other’s public reputation for truthfulness and righteousness.