Shloka 30
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
राम राम निवर्तस्व युद्धादस्माद् द्विजोत्तम | अवशध्यो वै त्वया भीष्मस्त्वं च भीष्मस्य भार्गव,'भगुनन्दन! ब्राह्मणोंका हृदय नवनीतके समान कोमल होता है; अतः शान्त हो जाओ। विप्रवर परशुराम! इस युद्धसे निवृत्त हो जाओ। भार्गव! तुम्हारे लिये भीष्म और भीष्मके लिये तुम अवध्य हो”
rāma rāma nivartasva yuddhād asmād dvijottama | avaśadhyo vai tvayā bhīṣmas tvaṃ ca bhīṣmasya bhārgava bhṛgunandana |
Bhishma said: “Rama, Rama—desist. Withdraw from this battle, O best of Brahmins. Indeed, Bhishma cannot be slain by you, and you cannot be slain by Bhishma, O Bhargava, delight of the Bhrigus. Since a Brahmin’s heart is tender like fresh butter, be pacified and turn away from this conflict.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when honor and prowess invite combat, dharma may require restraint: Bhishma urges Parashurama—addressed as a foremost Brahmin—to calm anger and withdraw, emphasizing that the fight is futile because neither can slay the other.
During the Bhishma–Parashurama confrontation, Bhishma speaks directly to Parashurama, repeatedly addressing him as ‘Rama’ and advising him to stop the battle, declaring their mutual inviolability and appealing to the Brahmin ideal of a soft, pacified heart.