Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
ततो<हं भरतश्रेष्ठ वेगवन्तं महाबलम् । अमुज्चं समरे बाणं रामाय हृदयच्छिदम्,भरतश्रेष्ठ] उस समरभूमिमें मैंने परशुरामजीकी ओर एक प्रबल एवं वेगवान् बाण चलाया, जो हृदयको विदीर्ण कर देनेवाला था
tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha vegavantaṃ mahābalam | amuñcaṃ samare bāṇaṃ rāmāya hṛdayacchidam ||
Alors, ô le meilleur des Bhārata, sur ce champ de bataille je décochai contre Rāma une flèche rapide et puissante, faite pour percer et fendre le cœur.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights the stern clarity of kṣatriya-dharma: once a righteous combat is joined, one must act with full resolve, even against a highly respected and powerful adversary. Duty in war demands firmness, not half-measures.
Bhīṣma narrates that during the battle he shot a swift, powerful, heart-piercing arrow at Rāma (Paraśurāma), emphasizing the intensity of their confrontation and his own unwavering martial determination.