Shloka 18

Devanagari script

अश्रिभ्यां सह नेच्छाम: सोम॑ पातुं महाव्रत । यदन्यद्‌ वक्ष्यसे विप्र तत्‌ करिष्यामि ते वच:

Transliteration

aśribhyāṃ saha necchāmaḥ somaṃ pātuṃ mahāvrata | yad anyad vakṣyase vipra tat kariṣyāmi te vacaḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma dit : «Ô grand observateur des vœux, nous ne souhaitons pas boire le Soma avec les Aśvin. Laissant cela de côté, ô brahmane, quelle que soit l’autre tâche que tu m’ordonnes, j’exécuterai assurément ta parole.»

Word by Word

• {'aśribhyām': 'with the Aśvins (the twin divine physicians)', 'saha': 'together with', 'na icchāmaḥ (necchāmaḥ)': 'we do not desire

• we do not wish', 'somaṃ': 'Soma (the sacred ritual drink

• also the Soma deity)', 'pātum': 'to drink', 'mahāvrata': 'O great-vowed one

• one observing a great vow', 'yad anyad': 'whatever else

• any other (thing)', 'vakṣyase': 'you will say

• you will instruct/command', 'vipra': 'O brahmin

• learned priest', 'tat': 'that', 'kariṣyāmi': 'I shall do

• I will perform', 'te': 'your', 'vacaḥ': 'word

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Aśvinīkumāras (Aśvins)
• Soma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined adherence to one’s chosen vow and ritual boundaries, coupled with readiness to obey rightful instruction in all other matters—showing how dharma can involve both principled refusal and dutiful compliance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma addresses a vow-observing brahmin, stating that he and his party do not wish to participate in Soma-drinking in the company of the Ashvins; however, he affirms that he will fulfill any other command the brahmin gives.