Shloka 19
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
ततो<हं भरतश्रेष्ठ वेगवन्तं महाबलम् । अमुज्चं समरे बाणं रामाय हृदयच्छिदम्,भरतश्रेष्ठ] उस समरभूमिमें मैंने परशुरामजीकी ओर एक प्रबल एवं वेगवान् बाण चलाया, जो हृदयको विदीर्ण कर देनेवाला था
tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha vegavantaṃ mahābalam | amuñcaṃ samare bāṇaṃ rāmāya hṛdayacchidam ||
Kemudian, wahai yang terbaik di antara keturunan Bharata, di medan itu aku melepaskan ke arah Rāma sebatang anak panah yang pantas dan perkasa—yang ditujukan untuk menembusi dan membelah jantung.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stern clarity of kṣatriya-dharma: once a righteous combat is joined, one must act with full resolve, even against a highly respected and powerful adversary. Duty in war demands firmness, not half-measures.
Bhīṣma narrates that during the battle he shot a swift, powerful, heart-piercing arrow at Rāma (Paraśurāma), emphasizing the intensity of their confrontation and his own unwavering martial determination.