Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 15
भीष्म–रामजामदग्न्ययुद्धप्रस्थानवर्णनम्
Bhishma’s Account of Parashurama’s Challenge and the March to Kurukshetra
ततो<हं भरतश्रेष्ठ संन्यषीदं रथोत्तमे । ततो मां कश्मलाविष्टं सूतस्तूर्णमुदावहत्
tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha saṃnyasīdaṃ rathottame | tato māṃ kaśmalāviṣṭaṃ sūtas tūrṇam udāvahat ||
Bhīṣma said: “Then, O best of the Bharatas, wounded and overcome, I sank down upon that excellent chariot. Seeing me seized by faintness and confusion, the charioteer quickly drove me away from that place.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the greatest warriors are subject to bodily limits and moments of kaśmala (overwhelming distress). The episode highlights prudent protection and tactical withdrawal by attendants, showing that sustaining dharma in war includes preserving life and capacity rather than reckless persistence.
Bhishma recounts that after being wounded he collapsed on his chariot. Observing him overcome by faintness/confusion, his charioteer swiftly drove him away from the immediate danger.