Shloka 15
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
एष भीष्म: शान्तनवो देवै: सर्वैर्निवारित: | निवर्तस्व रणादस्मादिति चैव प्रसादित:
eṣa bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo devaiḥ sarvair nivāritaḥ | nivartasva raṇād asmād iti caiva prasāditaḥ ||
“Inilah Bhīṣma, putera Śāntanu—ditahan oleh sekalian dewa. Baginda juga telah dirayu bersungguh-sungguh: ‘Berpalinglah dari pertempuran ini.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest warrior is subject to higher moral and cosmic restraint: when war threatens to violate dharma, wise counsel—and even divine intervention—urges withdrawal and self-control rather than unchecked valor.
Bhīṣma identifies himself as Śāntanu’s son and states that all the gods have held him back; he has been urged with the words “desist from this battle,” highlighting an attempt to prevent or restrain the outbreak of conflict.