05.184
Pancharatra-Ext: On the 23rd night, in a dream, Brahmins advised Bhishma to put Bhragava to sleep because he could not be defeated.
Bhishma spoke:
Then, O king of kings, at night I bowed my head to the Brahmins, ancestors, and deities in every possible way.
O lord of the people, as I lay in bed alone, I pondered over the beings that wander at night and the essence of the night itself.
Today, a great calamity is happening as my battle with Jamadagni's son continues for many days, and it is extremely terrible.
I cannot defeat the mighty Rama in the battlefield, nor the powerful sage Jamadagnya.
If I am able to defeat the mighty Jamadagnya, may the gods show favor upon my night.
Then, O King, I was lying asleep on my right side, wounded by arrows, as if it were dawn.
Then I fell from the chariot and was lifted and supported by the chief Brahmins, who comforted me saying, 'Do not fear.'
O great king, they indeed came to me in a dream vision, surrounded me, and said: 'Listen to these words, O descendant of Kuru.'
Arise, do not be afraid, O son of Ganga, there is nothing to fear for you. We will protect you, O tiger among men, as you are indeed our own self.
Rama, the son of Jamadagni, cannot conquer you in battle in any way. Indeed, you are the one who conquers Rama in battle, O best of the Bharatas.
This beloved weapon will be recognized by you. Indeed, you are also aware of this from your previous life.
O Bharata, neither Rama nor any man on earth knows about this universal sleep named Prajapatya.
O mighty-armed one, remember that and join intensely. Rama will not be destroyed by that weapon, O king.
By this action, you will never achieve union, O honorable one. Jamadagni's descendant, struck by the power of your arrow, will fall into slumber.
Then, after conquering, you will raise him again with your beloved weapon in the battle by addressing Bhishma.
Therefore, O Kauravya, at dawn, mount the chariot. We regard being asleep or dead as the same.
O king, Rama should never die. Therefore, let this sleep that has arisen be applied.
Having said this, O king, all the best of the twice-born vanished. There appeared eight similar forms, all of them radiant figures.
