Shloka 15
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
मा भैरिति सम॑ सर्वे स्वस्ति ते5स्त्विति चासकृत् | ततस्तेषामहं वाग्भिस्तर्पित: सहसोत्थित: । मातरं सरितां श्रेष्ठामपश्यं रथमास्थिताम्
mā bhair iti samaṁ sarve svasti te ’stv iti cāsakṛt | tatas teṣām ahaṁ vāgbhis tarpitaḥ sahasotthitaḥ | mātaraṁ saritāṁ śreṣṭhām apaśyaṁ ratham āsthitām |
Mereka semua serempak berulang-ulang berkata, “Jangan takut; semoga kesejahteraan menyertaimu.” Dipuaskan dan diteguhkan oleh kata-kata mereka yang laksana amerta, aku segera bangkit berdiri; lalu kulihat Sang Ibu—Gaṅgā, yang utama di antara sungai-sungai—duduk di keretaku pada tempat sais.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear is dispelled through auspicious counsel and blessings, and righteous resolve is strengthened when one receives supportive, dharmic speech; the appearance of Gaṅgā as ‘Mother’ underscores protective grace accompanying a life of duty.
Bhīṣma reports that those present reassure him repeatedly—“Do not fear; may you be well.” Encouraged by their words, he rises and notices Gaṅgā, the foremost river and his divine mother, seated on his chariot in the charioteer’s place.