Shloka 12
Amba approaches the Paraśurāma context; Hotravāhana’s counsel and Akṛtavraṇa’s report (अम्बोपाख्यानम्—रामदर्शनप्रसङ्गः)
अस्बोवाच न शक्यं काशिनगरं पुनर्गन्तुं पितुर्गहान् । अवज्ञाता भविष्यामि बान्धवानां न संशय:,अम्बा बोली--तापसो! अब मेरे लिये पुनः काशिनगरमें पिताके घर लौट जाना असम्भव है; क्योंकि वहाँ मुझे बन्धु-बान्धवोंमें अपमानित होकर रहना पड़ेगा
ambovāca na śakyaṃ kāśīnagaraṃ punargantuṃ pitur gṛhān | avajñātā bhaviṣyāmi bāndhavānāṃ na saṃśayaḥ ||
امبا نے کہا—اے تپسوی! میرے لیے دوبارہ کاشی نگر، اپنے باپ کے گھر لوٹ جانا ممکن نہیں۔ اس میں کوئی شک نہیں کہ اپنے ہی رشتہ داروں کے درمیان مجھے ذلت اور حقارت کے ساتھ رہنا پڑے گا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how social notions of honor and reputation can constrain personal choices: Amba foresees that returning to her paternal home would subject her to lasting contempt among her own kin, showing the ethical weight (and burden) of public perception in dharma-based society.
Amba addresses an ascetic and explains that she cannot go back to Kāśī and her father’s household, because her relatives would dishonor her; this statement frames her predicament and motivates her continued search for a resolution to the wrong she believes has been done to her.