Shloka 77
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
पाण्डुरं कार्मुकं गृह प्रायां भरतसत्तम । भरतश्रेष्ठ! मैंने अपने शरीरपर श्वेतवर्णका कवच धारण करके श्वेत धनुष हाथमें लेकर यात्रा की ।।
pāṇḍuraṃ kārmukaṃ gṛhya prāyāṃ bharatasattama | pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa priyamāṇena mūrdhani naraśvara | śvetavarṇaṃ kavacaṃ dhṛtvā śvetadhanuḥ pāṇau kṛtvā yātrāṃ kṛtavān | śvetacāmarāṇi ca ubhayataḥ vījitāni | mama vastrāṇi uṣṇīṣaṃ sarvāṇi ābharaṇāni ca śvetāni eva āsan ||
Bhishma said: “O best of the Bharatas, I set out taking up a pale-white bow. O lord of men, a pleasing white parasol was held above my head, and on both sides white yak-tail fans were waved. Wearing a white cuirass and bearing a white bow in my hand, I travelled forth; my garments, my turban, and all my ornaments were likewise white.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the outward marks of royal and kshatriya dignity—parasol, chowries, armor, and weapons—suggesting that public symbols of authority and readiness for duty (especially martial duty) accompany a ruler’s or warrior’s role. It underscores the ethic of bearing one’s station with visible discipline and honor.
Bhishma is recounting a past departure or procession: he describes setting out with a pale-white bow, wearing white armor, with a white parasol above and white fans on either side, and dressed entirely in white. The scene emphasizes ceremonial grandeur and martial readiness.