Shloka 10
स्त्रीभावेन च मे गाढं मन: शान्तमुमापते । प्रतिश्रुतश्न भूतेश त्वया भीष्मपराजय:,“उमापते! भूतनाथ! स्त्रीरूप होनेके कारण मेरा मन बहुत निस्तेज है। इधर आपने मेरे द्वारा भीष्मके पराजित होनेका वरदान दिया है
strībhāvena ca me gāḍhaṃ manaḥ śāntam umāpate | pratiśrutaś ca bhūteśa tvayā bhīṣmaparājayaḥ ||
“उमापते! भूतनाथ! स्त्रीभावामुळे माझे मन फारच दबले आहे; आणि आपण माझ्याकडून भीष्माच्या पराजयाचे वचनही दिले आहे.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding force of a divine promise and the ethical weight of vows: once a boon or pledge is given, it shapes outcomes even for the greatest warriors. It also points to how identity and circumstance can affect one’s capacity in dharmic conflict.
Bhishma addresses Śiva (as Umāpati/Bhūteśa), stating that due to being in a female form his mind is subdued, and reminding the deity that a boon has already been granted ensuring Bhishma’s defeat—foreshadowing the conditions under which Bhishma can be overcome.