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
rāmasyānucarā hṛṣṭāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā vicukruśuḥ | akṛtavraṇaprabhūtayaḥ kāśikanyā ca bhārata ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Nang makita nila ako, ang lahat ng tagasunod ni Rāma (Paraśurāma) ay nagsigawan sa galak—pangunahing nanguna si Akṛtavraṇa at ang prinsesa ng Kāśī. Sapagkat labis akong pinahirapan ng mga palaso ni Paraśurāma, at sa kalagayang sugatang malubha at wala sa ulirat, umurong ako mula sa digmaan. Pagkakita nila sa akin nang gayon, nag-ingay sila, inakalang tanda iyon ng tagumpay ng kanilang panginoon.”
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.