Shloka 24
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
गच्छ गच्छेति तां शाल्व: पुन: पुनरभाषत । बिभेमि भीष्मात् सुश्रोणि त्वं च भीष्मपरिग्रह:,शाल्वने बारंबार उससे कहा--'सुश्रोणि! तुम जाओ, चली जाओ, मैं भीष्मसे डरता हूँ। तुम भीष्मके द्वारा ग्रहण की हुई हो”
gaccha gaccheti tāṃ śālvaḥ punaḥ punar abhāṣata | bibhemi bhīṣmāt suśroṇi tvaṃ ca bhīṣma-parigrahā ||
毗湿摩说道：沙尔瓦一再对她说：“去吧，去吧，腰肢美好的女子！我惧怕毗湿摩；而你也已是毗湿摩先前所认取之人。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how social-ethical constraints—especially prior claims, vows, and the authority of powerful figures—shape personal choices. Shalva’s refusal is framed not as a free romantic decision but as submission to fear, reputation, and the perceived binding nature of Bhishma’s prior act.
Bhishma reports Shalva’s words to the woman: Shalva repeatedly tells her to leave, stating he fears Bhishma and that she is already ‘taken’ by Bhishma’s prior claim. This marks Shalva’s rejection and becomes a turning point leading to her grievance and the ensuing chain of events.