05.177
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
एवमुक्तस्तदा रामो जहि भीष्ममिति प्रभो। उवाच रुदतीं कन्यां चोदयन्तीं पुनः पुनः ॥५-१७७-१॥
Then Rama, having been spoken to thus, said to the weeping maiden who was urging again and again, "O lord, slay Bhishma."
काश्ये कामं न गृह्णामि शस्त्रं वै वरवर्णिनि। ऋते ब्रह्मविदां हेतोः किमन्यत्करवाणि ते ॥५-१७७-२॥
In the city of Kāśi, I refrain from taking up arms, O beautiful lady, unless it is for the cause of those who know Brahman; what else can I do for you?
वाचा भीष्मश्च शाल्वश्च मम राज्ञि वशानुगौ। भविष्यतोऽनवद्याङ्गि तत्करिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥५-१७७-३॥
Bhishma and Shalva, who are obedient to my words, will be there, O queen. O flawless one, I will ensure that happens. Do not worry.
न तु शस्त्रं ग्रहीष्यामि कथञ्चिदपि भामिनि। ऋते नियोगाद्विप्राणामेष मे समयः कृतः ॥५-१७७-४॥
However, O beautiful lady, I have made a vow not to take up arms unless instructed by the Brahmins.
अम्बोवाच॥
The mother spoke:
मम दुःखं भगवता व्यपनेयं यतस्ततः। तत्तु भीष्मप्रसूतं मे तं जहीश्वर माचिरम् ॥५-१७७-५॥
My sorrow should be removed by the Lord because it is caused by Bhishma. O Lord, please destroy him quickly.
राम उवाच॥
Rama spoke:
काशिकन्ये पुनर्ब्रूहि भीष्मस्ते चरणावुभौ। शिरसा वन्दनार्होऽपि ग्रहीष्यति गिरा मम ॥५-१७७-६॥
O daughter of Kashi, please speak again. Bhishma, who is worthy of reverence, will bow his head to accept both your feet, as per my words.
अम्बोवाच॥
The mother said:
जहि भीष्मं रणे राम मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम्। प्रतिश्रुतं च यदि तत्सत्यं कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥५-१७७-७॥
Rama, if you desire to please me, you should defeat Bhishma in battle. If you have promised this, then you must fulfill it here.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
तयोः संवदतोरेवं राजन्रामाम्बयोस्तदा। अकृतव्रणो जामदग्न्यमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-१७७-८॥
While Rāma and Ambā were conversing, O king, the unwounded one addressed Jāmadagnya with these words.
शरणागतां महाबाहो कन्यां न त्यक्तुमर्हसि। जहि भीष्मं रणे राम गर्जन्तमसुरं यथा ॥५-१७७-९॥
O mighty-armed one, do not abandon the girl who has sought your protection. Defeat Bhishma in battle, O Rama, just as you would vanquish a roaring demon.
यदि भीष्मस्त्वयाहूतो रणे राम महामुने। निर्जितोऽस्मीति वा ब्रूयात्कुर्याद्वा वचनं तव ॥५-१७७-१०॥
If Bhishma, whom you invited to battle, O great sage Rama, were to declare 'I am defeated' or act according to your word.
कृतमस्या भवेत्कार्यं कन्याया भृगुनन्दन। वाक्यं सत्यं च ते वीर भविष्यति कृतं विभो ॥५-१७७-११॥
O descendant of Bhrigu, the task of this maiden will be accomplished. Your words will come true, O hero, it shall be done, O lord.
इयं चापि प्रतिज्ञा ते तदा राम महामुने। जित्वा वै क्षत्रियान्सर्वान्ब्राह्मणेषु प्रतिश्रुतम् ॥५-१७७-१२॥
O great sage Rama, this promise of yours was made when you had conquered all the Kshatriyas and was declared among the Brahmins.
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रश्चैव रणे यदि। ब्रह्मद्विड्भविता तं वै हनिष्यामीति भार्गव ॥५-१७७-१३॥
Bhrigu's descendant declared that if any Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra becomes an enemy of Brahmins in battle, he will indeed kill him.
शरणं हि प्रपन्नानां भीतानां जीवितार्थिनाम्। न शक्ष्यामि परित्यागं कर्तुं जीवन्कथञ्चन ॥५-१७७-१४॥
I cannot forsake those who have sought refuge, those who are frightened, and those who seek life, in any way while I am alive.
यश्च क्षत्रं रणे कृत्स्नं विजेष्यति समागतम्। दृप्तात्मानमहं तं च हनिष्यामीति भार्गव ॥५-१७७-१५॥
Bhārgava declared that he would slay the arrogant warrior who would conquer all the assembled warriors in battle.
स एवं विजयी राम भीष्मः कुरुकुलोद्वहः। तेन युध्यस्व सङ्ग्रामे समेत्य भृगुनन्दन ॥५-१७७-१६॥
Thus, the victorious Rama, known as Bhishma, the upholder of the Kuru dynasty, is to be met in battle. Engage in combat with him, O descendant of Bhrigu.
राम उवाच॥
Rama spoke:
स्मराम्यहं पूर्वकृतां प्रतिज्ञामृषिसत्तम। तथैव च करिष्यामि यथा साम्नैव लप्स्यते ॥५-१७७-१७॥
I recall the promise I made earlier, O esteemed sage. I will act accordingly to ensure it is fulfilled through peaceful means.
कार्यमेतन्महद्ब्रह्मन्काशिकन्यामनोगतम्। गमिष्यामि स्वयं तत्र कन्यामादाय यत्र सः ॥५-१७७-१८॥
O Brahman, I have a significant task in mind regarding the daughter of Kashi. I will personally go there to bring the daughter to where he is.
यदि भीष्मो रणश्लाघी न करिष्यति मे वचः। हनिष्याम्येनमुद्रिक्तमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः ॥५-१७७-१९॥
If Bhishma, who is boastful in battle, does not heed my words, I am determined to kill him, for he is arrogant. This is my firm resolve.
न हि बाणा मयोत्सृष्टाः सज्जन्तीह शरीरिणाम्। कायेषु विदितं तुभ्यं पुरा क्षत्रियसङ्गरे ॥५-१७७-२०॥
The arrows I have released do not strike the bodies here; you already know this from the previous battles among warriors.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामः सह तैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः। प्रयाणाय मतिं कृत्वा समुत्तस्थौ महामनाः ॥५-१७७-२१॥
After speaking thus, Rama, along with the Brahman sages, decided to depart and stood up with a great mind.
ततस्ते तामुषित्वा तु रजनीं तत्र तापसाः। हुताग्नयो जप्तजप्याः प्रतस्थुर्मज्जिघांसया ॥५-१७७-२२॥
Then the ascetics, after spending the night there, performed their rituals and prayers, and set out with the intention to bathe.
अभ्यगच्छत्ततो रामः सह तैर्ब्राह्मणर्षभैः। कुरुक्षेत्रं महाराज कन्यया सह भारत ॥५-१७७-२३॥
Then, O great king, Rama, accompanied by those eminent Brahmins and the maiden, approached Kurukshetra, O descendant of Bharata.
न्यविशन्त ततः सर्वे परिगृह्य सरस्वतीम्। तापसास्ते महात्मानो भृगुश्रेष्ठपुरस्कृताः ॥५-१७७-२४॥
Then all the ascetics, led by the best of the Bhrigus, entered after surrounding Sarasvati. They were great souls.
