Shloka 28
अम्बा–राम–भीष्म संवादः
Amba–Rama–Bhishma Dialogue on Vow and Refuge
राम उवाच भीष्म कां बुद्धिमास्थाय काशिराजसुता तदा । अकामेन त्वया55नीता पुनश्चैव विसर्जिता,परशुरामजी बोले--भीष्म! तुमने किस विचारसे उन दिनों स्वयं पत्नीकी कामनासे रहित होते हुए भी काशिराजकी इस कन्याका अपहरण किया, अपने घर ले आये और पुनः इसे निकाल बाहर किया
rāma uvāca | bhīṣma kāṃ buddhim āsthāya kāśirājasutā tadā | akāmena tvayā nītā punaś caiva visarjitā ||
Wika ni Rāma (Paraśurāma): “Bhīṣma, sa anong layon at pag-iisip mo ginawa ito—gayong ikaw mismo’y walang pagnanais na mag-asawa—na dinakip mo noon ang anak na babae ng hari ng Kāśī, dinala sa iyong tahanan, at pagkatapos ay muli mo ring itinaboy?”
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes ethical intention (buddhi) behind an act that outwardly resembles force: Paraśurāma challenges Bhīṣma to justify how taking a woman without personal desire can still be dharmic, especially when the outcome is her rejection. It highlights that vows and political duty do not automatically absolve harm caused to others.
Paraśurāma confronts Bhīṣma about the earlier episode of taking the Kāśī princess (associated with the Amba narrative): Bhīṣma abducted her in a kṣatriya contest context for his brother’s marriage, yet later she was sent away. Paraśurāma demands Bhīṣma explain the motive and justification for both actions.