Shloka 25
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
राजन्! तब वे ऋचीक आदि मुनि नारदजीके साथ मेरे पास आये और इस प्रकार बोले --तात! तुम्हीं युद्धसे निवृत्त हो जाओ और द्विजश्रेष्ठ परशुरामजीका मान रखो” ।। इत्यवोचमहं तांश्ष क्षत्रधर्मव्यपेक्षया । मम व्रतमिदं लोके नाहं युद्धात् कदाचन
rājan! tataḥ te ṛcīka-ādayo munayo nāradena saha mama samīpam āgatyaivam abruvan— “tāta! tvam eva yuddhāt nivartasva, dvijaśreṣṭha-paraśurāmasya mānaṁ rakṣa.” iti. ity avocam ahaṁ tān kṣatra-dharma-vyapekṣayā; mama vratam idaṁ loke—nāhaṁ yuddhāt kadācana (nivarte).
ビーシュマは語った。「王よ、そのときリチーカをはじめとする賢仙たちがナーラダとともに私のもとへ来て言った。『わが子よ、戦から退き、二度生まれの最勝者パラシュラーマの名誉を立てよ。』しかし私は、クシャトリヤの法（ダルマ）を顧みて彼らに答えた。『これが世における我が誓願である――我は決して、いかなる時も戦から退かぬ。』」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness to one’s svadharma: Bhishma prioritizes the Kshatriya code and his personal vow of not retreating from battle, even when revered sages advise him to yield for the sake of Parashurama’s honor.
Sages led by Richika, accompanied by Narada, approach Bhishma and urge him to withdraw from combat to preserve Parashurama’s prestige. Bhishma refuses, stating that, considering Kshatriya duty, his vow is never to turn back from battle.