Shloka 9
अम्बाया निर्वेदः तपोव्रताभ्यर्थना च
Ambā’s Despair and Petition for Ascetic Vows
स मां प्रतीक्षते व्यक्त शाल्वराजो विशाम्पते । तस्मान्मां त्वं कुरुश्रेष्ठ समनुज्ञातुमहसि,'प्रजानाथ! शाल्वराज निश्चय ही मेरी प्रतीक्षा करते होंगे; अतः कुरुश्रेष्ठ! तुम्हें मुझे उनकी सेवामें जानेकी आज्ञा देनी चाहिये
sa māṁ pratīkṣate vyaktaṁ śālvarājo viśāmpate | tasmān māṁ tvaṁ kuruśreṣṭha samanujñātum arhasi ||
प्रजानाथ! शाल्वराज निश्चयच माझी प्रतीक्षा करीत असतील; म्हणून कुरुश्रेष्ठ! मला त्यांच्या सेवेत जाण्याची अनुमती तू द्यावी.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as disciplined conduct: even a powerful elder like Bhīṣma seeks proper authorization before undertaking service, emphasizing respect for hierarchy, clarity of obligation, and ethical protocol in royal life.
Bhīṣma addresses a Kuru ruler as “lord of the people” and “best of the Kurus,” stating that King Śālva is surely expecting him; he therefore requests formal permission to depart and render service to Śālva.