Shloka 38
भीष्मस्वप्न-स्मृत्युपाख्यानम् | Bhīṣma’s Dream-Linked Recollection of the Paraśurāma Combat
माता मम महाभागा स्मयमानेव भाविनी । कदाचिदष्टमे मासि कदाचिद् दशमे तथा । न प्राश्नीतोदकमपि पुन: सा वरवर्णिनी
mātā mama mahābhāgā smayamāneva bhāvinī | kadācid aṣṭame māsi kadācid daśame tathā | na prāśnītodakam api punaḥ sā varavarṇinī ||
ମୋର ପରମ ସୌଭାଗ୍ୟଶାଳିନୀ ମାତା—ସଦା ସୌମ୍ୟା—ହସି ହସି କହିଲେ। ସେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠବର୍ଣ୍ଣା କନ୍ୟା ପୁଣି କେବେ ଅଷ୍ଟମ ମାସ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ, କେବେ ଦଶମ ମାସ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଜଳ ମଧ୍ୟ ପିଇଲା ନାହିଁ।
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores tapas—steadfast self-restraint—as a morally potent practice. Endurance and disciplined vows are portrayed as shaping one’s destiny and ethical standing, not merely as physical hardship.
Rāma reports that his noble mother, smiling, speaks about the Kāśī king’s daughter: the princess undertakes severe austerities, at times going as far as the eighth or even the tenth month without drinking water.