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 ||
Bhīṣma said: “So long as I live, I cannot in any way bring myself to abandon my pledged course. And whoever it is that will conquer in battle this entire host of assembled kṣatriyas, let that be the outcome.”
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.