Shloka 17
भीष्म–रामजामदग्न्ययुद्धप्रस्थानवर्णनम्
Bhishma’s Account of Parashurama’s Challenge and the March to Kurukshetra
रामस्यानुचरा हृष्टा: सर्वे दृष्टवा विचुक्रुशु: । अकृतब्रणप्रभूतयः काशिकन्या च भारत,भरतश्रेष्ठ) परशुरामजीके बाणसे अत्यन्त पीड़ित होनेके कारण मुझे बड़ी व्याकुलता हो रही थी। मैं अत्यन्त घायल और अचेत होकर रणभूमिसे दूर हट गया था। भारत! इस अवस्थामें मुझे देखकर परशुरामजीके अकृतव्रण आदि सेवक तथा काशिराजकी कन्या अम्बा ये सब-के-सब अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हो कोलाहल करने लगे
rāmasyānucarā hṛṣṭāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā vicukruśuḥ | akṛtavraṇaprabhūtayaḥ kāśikanyā ca bhārata ||
Бхишма сказал: «Увидев меня, все слуги Рамы (Парашурамы) разразились ликующими криками — прежде всего Акритаврана и царевна Каши. Ибо я был жестоко истерзан стрелами Парашурамы и, в таком состоянии — тяжко раненный и без сознания, — отступил с поля битвы. Увидев меня таковым, они подняли громкий шум, приняв это за знак победы своего владыки.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward signs in war—such as an opponent’s withdrawal—can be quickly interpreted as victory, fueling pride and celebration. Ethically, it cautions that triumphal reactions may rest on incomplete understanding, while the deeper dharmic focus remains on endurance, restraint, and the true grounds of honor.
Bhishma recounts that after being severely hurt by Paraśurāma’s arrows and retreating in a wounded, near-unconscious state, Paraśurāma’s followers—especially Akṛtavraṇa—and Amba (the Kāśi princess) saw him and shouted with joy, taking his condition as evidence of Paraśurāma’s success.