Shloka 18
भीष्म–रामजामदग्न्ययुद्धप्रस्थानवर्णनम्
Bhishma’s Account of Parashurama’s Challenge and the March to Kurukshetra
ततस्तु लब्धसंज्ञो5हं ज्ञात्वा सूतमथाब्रुवम् । याहि सूत यतो राम: सज्जो5हं गतवेदन:
tatastu labdhasaṁjño ’haṁ jñātvā sūtam athābruvam | yāhi sūta yato rāmaḥ sajjo ’haṁ gatavedanaḥ ||
Then, having regained consciousness and understood what had occurred, I spoke to the charioteer: “Charioteer, drive to where Rāma (Paraśurāma) is. My pain has passed, and I am now prepared for battle.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and readiness to uphold one’s chosen duty: once clarity returns and pain subsides, Bhīṣma immediately turns toward the demanded confrontation, showing disciplined resolve rather than hesitation.
Bhīṣma regains consciousness, comprehends the situation, and commands his charioteer to take him to Paraśurāma. Declaring his pain gone, he announces his readiness to fight, signaling the escalation toward their famed encounter.