Shloka 34
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
दृष्टवा निवर्तितं राम सुहृद्वाक्येन तेन वै । लोकानां च हित॑ कुर्वन्नहमप्याददे वच:,अपने सुहृदोंके कहनेसे परशुरामजीको युद्धसे निवृत्त हुआ देख मैंने भी लोककी भलाई करनेके लिये उन महर्षियोंकी बात मान ली
dṛṣṭvā nivartitaṁ rāma suhṛd-vākyena tena vai | lokānāṁ ca hitaṁ kurvann aham apy ādade vacaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Seeing Rāma (Paraśurāma) withdraw from the combat on account of that counsel spoken by well-wishing friends, I too—seeking the welfare of the people—accepted their advice and complied with their words.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a mighty warrior should yield to well-intentioned counsel when it serves loka-hita (the common good); restraint and acceptance of wise advice are ethical strengths, not weaknesses.
Bhīṣma recounts that Paraśurāma desisted from fighting after hearing the words of well-wishers; seeing this, Bhīṣma also accepted their counsel, motivated by concern for the welfare of the people.