Shloka 16
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
रामेण सह मा योत्सीर्गुरुणेति पुनः पुनः । न हि रामो रणे जेतु त्वया न्याय्य: कुरूद्गह
rāmeṇa saha mā yotsīr guruṇeti punaḥ punaḥ | na hi rāmo raṇe jetu tvayā nyāyyaḥ kurūdgvaha ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Je te l’ai répété sans cesse : “Ne combats pas Rāma, car il est ton maître.” Car il ne serait pas juste, ô porteur de l’étendard des Kuru, que Rāma fût vaincu par toi sur le champ de bataille.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma sets limits: it is not fitting to seek victory over one’s own guru. Reverence for the teacher and moral propriety can override the impulse to prove strength in battle.
Bhīṣma recalls repeatedly warning (the addressed Kuru hero, i.e., Bhīṣma himself in context) not to engage in combat with Rāma (Paraśurāma), because Rāma is the guru; therefore, it would be improper for the disciple to defeat him in battle.