Shloka 24
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
भीष्म उवाच ततस्तृतीये दिवसे संदिदेश व्यवस्थित: । कुरु प्रियं स मे राजन् प्राप्तोडस्मीति महाव्रतः
bhīṣma uvāca tatastṛtīye divase saṃdideśa vyavasthitaḥ | kuru priyaṃ sa me rājan prāpto ’smi iti mahāvrataḥ ||
ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਫਿਰ ਤੀਜੇ ਦਿਨ ਇੱਕ ਥਾਂ ਟਿਕ ਕੇ ਮਹਾਵ੍ਰਤਧਾਰੀ ਪਰਸ਼ੁਰਾਮ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੁਨੇਹਾ ਭੇਜਿਆ—“ਰਾਜਨ! ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਆ ਪਹੁੰਚਿਆ ਹਾਂ; ਤੂੰ ਮੇਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਿਯ ਕੰਮ ਕਰ।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahabharata ethical pressure-point: when a powerful, revered figure issues a demand, one must still weigh the request against dharma and one’s own vowed obligations. Respect for authority is important, but it can become a test of integrity when it conflicts with duty.
On the third day, Parashurama—described as a great vow-keeper—halts at a place and sends Bhishma a message announcing his arrival and asking Bhishma to do what pleases him, setting the stage for a consequential confrontation or negotiation.