Shloka 7
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
परशुरामजी बोले--काशिराजकी पुत्री! तू पुन: सोचकर बता। यद्यपि भीष्म तेरे लिये वन्दनीय है, तथापि मेरे कहनेसे वह तेरे चरणोंको अपने सिरपर उठा लेगा ।।
rāma uvāca—kāśirājakī putri! tvaṁ punaḥ socayitvā vada. yadyapi bhīṣmas te vandanīyaḥ, tathāpi mama vacanād asau tava caraṇau śirasi dhārayiṣyati.
ambovāca—jahi bhīṣmaṁ raṇe rāma garjantam asuraṁ yathā. samāhūto raṇe rāma mama ced icchasi priyam. pratiśrutaṁ ca yad api tat satyaṁ kartum arhasi.
Rama (Parashurama) said: “Daughter of the king of Kāśī, reflect once more and tell me. Though Bhīṣma is worthy of your reverence, still, at my word he will lift your feet upon his head.” Ambā replied: “If you wish to do what is dear to me, O Rāma, then enter battle; strike down Bhīṣma—who roars like an asura—having challenged him to combat, and make true the pledge you have sworn.”
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds satya (truthfulness) and the moral weight of a pratiśruti (pledge). Ambā appeals to Paraśurāma’s duty to uphold his word, even when it entails confronting a venerable elder like Bhīṣma—showing how dharma can demand difficult action when honor, promises, and justice collide.
Paraśurāma urges Ambā to reconsider, asserting that Bhīṣma—though reverable—would submit out of respect for Paraśurāma’s command. Ambā rejects mere submission and asks Paraśurāma to challenge Bhīṣma in battle, kill him, and thereby fulfill the promise he has undertaken on her behalf.