Shloka 14
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
न शक्ष्यामि परित्यागं कर्तु जीवन् कथंचन । यश्व कृत्स्नं रणे क्षत्रं विजेष्पति समागतम्
na śakṣyāmi parityāgaṃ kartuṃ jīvan kathaṃcana | yaś ca kṛtsnaṃ raṇe kṣatraṃ vijeṣyati samāgatam ||
भीष्म बोले—“जब तक मैं जीवित हूँ, किसी प्रकार भी अपनी प्रतिज्ञा-मार्ग का परित्याग नहीं कर सकता। और जो कोई रण में एकत्र हुए इस समस्त क्षत्रिय-समूह को जीत लेगा—वही परिणाम हो।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness to one’s pledged dharma: Bhīṣma declares that while he lives he cannot abandon his chosen obligation, even under pressure, emphasizing the ethical weight of vows and warrior-duty.
In Bhīṣma’s speech during the Udyoga Parva (the pre-war negotiations and preparations), he states his unshakable commitment to his stance and acknowledges that the coming battle will decide who prevails over the assembled kṣatriya forces.