Shloka 10
भीष्म–रामसंयुगनिवृत्तिः
Bhishma and Rama: Restraint and Withdrawal in the Engagement
स्त्रीभावेन च मे गाढं मन: शान्तमुमापते । प्रतिश्रुतश्न भूतेश त्वया भीष्मपराजय:,“उमापते! भूतनाथ! स्त्रीरूप होनेके कारण मेरा मन बहुत निस्तेज है। इधर आपने मेरे द्वारा भीष्मके पराजित होनेका वरदान दिया है
strībhāvena ca me gāḍhaṃ manaḥ śāntam umāpate | pratiśrutaś ca bhūteśa tvayā bhīṣmaparājayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Ô đấng phu quân của Umā, ô Chúa tể muôn loài! Vì đang mang thân phận nữ nhân, tâm trí ta trở nên bị đè nén, yếu ớt sâu xa. Thế nhưng Ngài đã hứa rằng Bhīṣma sẽ bị đánh bại.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding force of a divine promise and the ethical weight of vows: once a boon or pledge is given, it shapes outcomes even for the greatest warriors. It also points to how identity and circumstance can affect one’s capacity in dharmic conflict.
Bhishma addresses Śiva (as Umāpati/Bhūteśa), stating that due to being in a female form his mind is subdued, and reminding the deity that a boon has already been granted ensuring Bhishma’s defeat—foreshadowing the conditions under which Bhishma can be overcome.