Shloka 4
भीष्म–जामदग्न्यसंवादः (Amba-prasaṅga and Kurukṣetra Dvandva Declaration) / Bhishma–Jamadagnya Dialogue
सूतश्न मातरिश्वा वै कवचं वेदमातर: । सुसंवीतो रणे ताभिरय्योत्स्ये5हं कुरुनन्दन,तब परशुरामजी समरांगणमें किंचित् मुसकराते हुए मुझसे बोले--“कुरुनन्दन भीष्म! मेरे लिये तो पृथ्वी ही रथ है, चारों वेद ही उत्तम अश्वोंके समान मेरे वाहन हैं, वायुदेव ही सारथि हैं और वेदमाताएँ (गायत्री, सावित्री और सरस्वती) ही कवच हैं। इन सबसे आवृत एवं सुरक्षित होकर मैं रणक्षेत्रमें युद्ध करूँगा”
sūtaśna mātariśvā vai kavacaṁ vedamātaraḥ | susaṁvīto raṇe tābhir ayodhyotsye ’haṁ kurunandana ||
“Mātariśvan (the Wind-god) is my charioteer; the Veda-mothers (Gāyatrī, Sāvitrī, and Sarasvatī) are my armor. Thus well-covered and protected by them in battle, I shall fight—O delight of the Kurus.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames true martial preparedness as grounded in sacred discipline and divine alignment: protection and strength arise from Vedic sanctity (the ‘Veda-mothers’ as armor) and cosmic support (Vāyu as charioteer), suggesting that dharmic intent and spiritual authority can be more decisive than material armaments.
Bhīṣma recounts the battle posture being declared: the speaker depicts his readiness to fight while symbolically equipping himself with divine and Vedic supports—Vāyu as charioteer and the Veda-mothers as armor—underscoring the solemn, vow-driven nature of the impending combat.