Shloka 2
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
अयुगञ्जमेव चैवाहं तदस्त्र॑ भृगुनन्दने । प्रस्वापं मां प्रयुझजानं नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
ayugañjameva caivāhaṃ tad astraṃ bhṛgunandane | prasvāpaṃ māṃ prayuñjānaṃ nārado vākyam abravīt |
Bhīṣma nói: “Dẫu vậy, nhắm vào Bhārgava Paraśurāma, ta vẫn đặt vũ khí ấy lên cung. Khi Nārada thấy ta chuẩn bị dùng mũi tên Prasvapana (gây ngủ), ngài liền nói với ta những lời này…”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in conflict, the use of extraordinary force (such as a disabling astra) is subject to ethical scrutiny; divine or sage counsel intervenes to restrain escalation and uphold dharma.
Bhishma recounts that, aiming at Parashurama, he readied the Prasvapana (sleep-inducing) missile on his bow; Narada then appears and begins to admonish or advise him.