Shloka 18
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
ततोऊहं स्वयमुद्यम्य हयांस्तान् वातरंहस: । अयुध्यं जामदग्न्येन निवृत्तेडहनि भारत,भारत! तदनन्तर स्वयं ही उन वायुके समान वेगशाली घोड़ोंको काबूमें करके मैं जमदग्निनन्दन परशुरामजीके साथ युद्ध करने लगा। उस समय दिन प्रायः समाप्त हो चला था
tato ’haṁ svayam udyamya hayāṁs tān vātarāṁhasaḥ | ayudhyaṁ jāmadagnyena nivṛtte ’hani bhārata ||
Kemudian, wahai Bhārata, aku sendiri menguasai dengan teguh kuda-kuda itu yang sepantas angin, lalu bertempur dengan Jāmadagnya Paraśurāma. Pada saat itu hari hampir berakhir.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in duty: even as the day wanes, Bhīṣma maintains discipline (controlling the horses) and commitment to the obligations of a warrior, suggesting that righteous resolve requires both inner control and outward courage.
Bhīṣma narrates that he personally restrains his wind-swift horses and then fights Paraśurāma (Jāmadagnya). The battle is occurring late in the day, with daylight nearly over.