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 ||
毗湿摩说道：“见到我，罗摩（帕罗修罗摩）的随从们无不欢呼叫嚷——其中以阿克利特伐罗那与迦尸公主为首。因为我被帕罗修罗摩的箭矢折磨得极其惨烈，在重伤昏迷之中退离战场。见我如此，他们便大声喧哗，把这当作主人得胜的征兆。”
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.