Jājali–Tulādhāra-saṃvāda: Yajña, Vṛtti, and Ātma-tīrtha (जाजलि-तुलाधार-संवादः)
भीष्म उवाच पुरा कृतयुगे तात राजा ह्यासीदकम्पन: । स शत्रुवशमापन्न: संग्रामे क्षीणवाहन:
bhīṣma uvāca purā kṛtayuge tāta rājā hy āsīd akampanaḥ | sa śatruvaśam āpannaḥ saṅgrāme kṣīṇavāhanaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Meu filho, em tempos antigos, no Kṛta Yuga, viveu um rei chamado Akampana. Certa vez, em batalha, seu carro e seus meios de transporte foram destruídos; enfraquecido e sem amparo, caiu no poder do inimigo.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse sets up an ethical exemplum: even a king in the age of righteousness can face sudden reversal in war. It prepares the listener to reflect on steadiness, prudence, and dharmic conduct when power and protection collapse.
Bhishma begins an old account from the Kṛta Yuga about King Akampana. During a battle his chariot/means of conveyance is destroyed, leaving him weakened and he is captured or brought under the enemy’s control.