Shloka 2
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
अयुगञ्जमेव चैवाहं तदस्त्र॑ भृगुनन्दने । प्रस्वापं मां प्रयुझजानं नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
ayugañjameva caivāhaṃ tad astraṃ bhṛgunandane | prasvāpaṃ māṃ prayuñjānaṃ nārado vākyam abravīt |
Namun demikian, dengan Bhargava Parashurama sebagai sasaran, aku tetap memasang senjata itu pada busurku. Melihat aku bersiap memakai Prasvapana (panah penidur), Narada menegurku dengan kata-kata berikut.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in conflict, the use of extraordinary force (such as a disabling astra) is subject to ethical scrutiny; divine or sage counsel intervenes to restrain escalation and uphold dharma.
Bhishma recounts that, aiming at Parashurama, he readied the Prasvapana (sleep-inducing) missile on his bow; Narada then appears and begins to admonish or advise him.