Shloka 93
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
तत्पश्चात् मेरी जन्मदायिनी माता गंगाने भूगुनन्दन परशुरामजीके पास जाकर मेरे लिये उनसे क्षमा माँगी ।।
tataḥ paścāt merī janmadāyinī mātā gaṅgāne bhṛgunandana-paraśurāma-jīke pāsa jākar mere liye unse kṣamā māṅgī || bhīṣmeṇa saha mā yotsīḥ śiṣyeṇeti vaco 'bravīt | sa ca tām āha yācantīṃ bhīṣmam eva nivartaya | na ca me kurute kāmam ity ahaṃ tam upāgamam ||
Après cela, ma mère qui m’avait donné naissance, Gaṅgā, alla trouver Paraśurāma, l’orgueil de la lignée de Bhṛgu, et le supplia pour moi. Elle dit : « Ne combats pas Bhīṣma ; il est ton disciple. » Mais Paraśurāma répondit à celle qui le priait : « Fais d’abord que Bhīṣma lui‑même se retire du combat. Il n’agit pas selon mon désir ; c’est pourquoi je me suis avancé contre lui. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between authority and autonomy: even a revered teacher (Paraśurāma) expects obedience, while the disciple (Bhīṣma) acts from his own dharma. It also shows a mediator’s role (Gaṅgā) urging restraint, emphasizing that conflicts should be checked first by self-withdrawal and discipline rather than escalation.
Bhīṣma narrates that his mother Gaṅgā went to Paraśurāma to seek pardon and to stop the fight, reminding him that Bhīṣma is his disciple. Paraśurāma refuses to desist unless Bhīṣma first withdraws, stating that Bhīṣma is not complying with his wish, which is why he has taken up arms against him.