Shloka 16
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
हयाश्व मे संगृहीतास्तयासन् महानद्या संयति कौरवेन्द्र । पादौ जनन्या: प्रतिगृहा चाहं तथा पितृणां रथमभ्यरोहम्
hayāśva me saṅgṛhītās tayāsan mahānadyā saṃyati kauravendra | pādau jananyāḥ pratigṛhya cāhaṃ tathā pitṝṇāṃ ratham abhyaroham, kauravarāja ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: Oh señor de los Kurus, en aquella batalla el gran río—mi madre Gaṅgā—sostenía las riendas de mis caballos. Tras tocar primero los pies de mi madre en señal de reverencia, e inclinar la cabeza como ofrenda a los Pitṛ, los Manes de mis antepasados, monté entonces en el carro.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the urgency of war, dharma is upheld through reverence to one’s mother and remembrance of the ancestors. Bhīṣma models disciplined action rooted in gratitude and duty, showing that ethical grounding should precede engagement in conflict.
Bhīṣma recounts a moment before entering battle: his mother Gaṅgā (the great river) is described as holding the reins of his horses. He pays respect by touching his mother’s feet and bowing to his forefathers, then mounts the chariot to proceed into the fight.