Shloka 14
भीष्म–रामजामदग्न्ययुद्धप्रस्थानवर्णनम्
Bhishma’s Account of Parashurama’s Challenge and the March to Kurukshetra
ततो मां सव्यतो राजन् राम: कुर्वन् द्विजोत्तम: । उरस्यविध्यत् संक़्रुद्धो जामदग्न्य: प्रतापवान्
tato māṃ savyato rājan rāmaḥ kurvan dvijottamaḥ | urasy avidhyat saṅkruddho jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān ||
Then, O King, Rāma Jāmadagnya—an illustrious brahmin, wrathful in battle—taking position to my left, pierced me in the chest with an arrow.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of krodha (anger): even a highly revered dvijottama can be driven to violent action. At the same time, Bhīṣma’s composure under attack points to steadfastness in one’s chosen dharma and the capacity to endure hardship without abandoning duty.
Bhīṣma recounts an episode from his conflict with Paraśurāma (Rāma Jāmadagnya). Paraśurāma, enraged, takes position to Bhīṣma’s left and shoots an arrow that pierces Bhīṣma in the chest, intensifying the duel.