अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
शरणागतां महाबाहो कन्यां न त्यक्तुमरहसि । यदि भीष्मो रणे राम समाहूतस्त्वया मृधे
śaraṇāgatāṃ mahābāho kanyāṃ na tyaktum arhasi | yadi bhīṣmo raṇe rāma samāhūtas tvayā mṛdhe |
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô toi aux bras puissants, tu ne dois pas abandonner cette jeune fille venue chercher refuge. Ô Rāma, descendant de Bhṛgu : si, lorsque tu le convoques au combat, Bhīṣma se présente sur le champ de bataille et reconnaît sa défaite, ou bien se plie à ton ordre, alors le dessein de cette jeune fille sera accompli.»
भीष्म उवाच
A person who has sought refuge must not be abandoned; protecting the śaraṇāgata is presented as a binding ethical duty, even amid conflict and questions of honor.
Bhishma addresses Rama (Paraśurāma) regarding a maiden who has come for protection (Amba in the broader episode). He urges that she should not be forsaken and suggests that if Bhishma, when challenged, yields or accepts defeat in battle, her objective will be achieved.