भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्तस्तदा रामो जहि भीष्ममिति प्रभो। उवाच रुदती कन्यां चोदयन्तीं पुनः पुनः॥
Bhishma said “O Rama, slay Bhishma, “having been thus addressed, my lord, he said to that weeping girl who urged him again and again.
काश्ये न कामं गृह्णामि शस्त्रं वै वरवर्णिनि। ऋते ब्रह्मविदां हेतोः किमन्यत् करवाणि ते॥
"O princess of Kashi, I do not take up arms from my own desire, O you of fair complexion, except at the bidding of those conversant with the Vedas; what else shall I do for you?
वाचा भीष्मश्च शाल्वश्च मम राज्ञि वसानुगौ। भविष्यतोऽनवद्याङ्गि तत् करिष्यामि मा शुचः॥
O Princess, both Bhishma and Shalva act up to my words and I shall accomplish this work, Do not grieve.
न तु शस्त्रं ग्रहीष्यामि कथंचिदपि भाविनि। ऋते नियोगाद् विप्राणामेष मे समयः कृतः॥
But I shall not on any account take up arms except at the bidding of regenerate persons; for this is the vow I have made.
अम्बोवाच मम दुःखं भगवता व्यपनेयं यतस्ततः। तच्च भीष्मप्रसूतं मे तं जहीश्वर मा चिरम्॥
Amba said By some means or other, my distress has its origin in Bhishma; slay him therefore without delay, my lord.
राम उवाच काशिकन्ये पुनर्बंहि भीष्मस्ते चरणावुभौ। शिरसा वन्दना.ऽपि ग्रहीयष्यति गिरा मम॥
Rama said O princess of Kashi, I tell you again that thought Bhishma is worthy of your worship, he will, at my word, take up both your feet on his head.
अम्बोवाच जहि भीष्मं रणे राम गर्जन्तमसुरं यथा। समाहूतो रणे राम मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम्। प्रतिश्रुतं च यदपि तत् सत्यं कर्तुमर्हसि॥
Amba said Kill Bhishma in battle, O Rama, for he roars like an Asura, after challenging him to fight if you desire, what is pleasing to me, O Rama; besides it is proper that you should perform what you have promised.
भीष्म उवाच तयोः संवदतोरेवं राजन् रामाम्बयोस्तदा। ऋषिः परमधर्मात्मा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Bhishma said While the two, Amba and Rama, were thus conversing together, the Rishi, of extremely virtuous soul, said these words:
शरणागतां महाबाहो कन्यां न त्यक्तुमर्हसि। यदि भीष्मो रणे राम समाहूतस्त्वया मृधे॥
This is not proper for you, O you of long arms, to abandon a girl who has taken refuge with you. If, O Rama, Bhishma being challenged by you in fight,
निर्जितोऽस्मीति वा ब्रूयात् कुर्याद् वा वचनं तव। कृतमस्या भवेत् कार्यं कन्याया भृगुनन्दन॥
Either says “I am vanquished" or acts !p to your words then the object of this lady will be fulfilled, O delighter of the Bhrigu race.
वाक्यं सत्यं च ते वीर भविष्यति कृतं विभो। इयं चापि प्रतिज्ञा ते तदा राम महामुने॥
And your promise, my lord, will be redeemed, At the time (of war with the Kshatriyas), this was your promise, O Rama, O great sage.
जित्वा वै क्षत्रियान् सर्वान् ब्राह्मणेषु प्रतिश्रुता। ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रश्चैव रणे यदि॥
Having conquered all the Kshatriyas at the time you made this promise to the Brahmanas. "If a Brahmana or a Kshatriya or a Vaishya or a Shudra in battle,
ब्रह्मद्विड भविता तं वै हनिष्यामीति भार्गव। शरणार्थं प्रपन्नानां भीतानां शरणार्थिनाम्॥
Becomes the destroyer of a Brahmana I shall slay him" O you of Bhrigu's race, Then, who out of fear will take refuge with me,
न शक्ष्यामि परित्यागं कर्तुं जीवन् कथंचन। यश्च कृत्स्नं रणे क्षत्रं विजेष्यति समागतम्॥
I shall never be able to abandon by any means so long I have some alive, even if a Kshatriyas comes to war with me.
दीप्तात्मानमहं तं च हनिष्यामीति भार्गव। स एवं विजयी राम भीष्मः कुरुकुलोद्वहः। तेन युध्यस्व संग्रामे समेत्य भृगुनन्दन।॥
"I shall slay that one, of blazing self though he be" O you of Bhrigu's race. O Rama, that Bhishma, the supporter of the Kuru race, is even such, Fight with him in battle therefore, O Rama.
राम उवाच स्मराम्यहं पूर्वकृतां प्रतिज्ञामृषिसत्तम। तथैव च चरिष्यामि यथा साम्नैव लप्स्यते॥
Rama said I remember the promise that I made before, O you best among the Rishis, but in this instance I shall act in such a way that I may gain my object by peaceful means.
कार्यमेतन्महद् ब्रह्मन् काशिकन्यामनोगतम्। गमिष्यामि स्वयं तत्र कन्यामादाय यत्र सः॥
This work, aimed at by the princess of Kashis, is indeed great, Taking this lady, I shall go myself there where he is.
यदि भीष्मो रणश्लाघी न करिष्यति मे वचः। हनिष्याम्येनमुद्रिक्तमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः॥
If Bhishma, proud of his feats in war, does not act up to my commands I shall certainly slay that arrogant one.
न हि बाणा मयोत्सृष्टाः सज्जन्तीह शरीरिणाम्। कायेषु विदितं तुभ्यं पुरा क्षत्रियसंगरे॥
The arrows, shot forth by me, do not stick in the body of living creatures (but pass clearly through them); it is known to you in the with the Kshatriyas.
एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामः सह तैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः। प्रयाणाय मतिं कृत्वा समुत्तस्थौ महातपाः॥
Rama saying this, along with those conversant with Brahma, those great devotees rose up intending to depart.
ततस्ते तामुषित्वा तु रजनीं तत्र तापसाः। हुताग्नयो जप्तजप्याः प्रतस्थुर्मज्जिघांसया॥
Then those devotees, staying there for the night, performed their Homa and other ceremonies and went away with the desire of taking my life.
अभ्यगच्छत् ततो रामः सह तैब्रह्मवादिभिः। कुरुक्षेत्रं महाराज कन्यया सह भारत॥
Then did Rama depart accompanied by those utters of Brahma, making for Kurukshetra, O great king, and taking that girl with him.
न्यविशन्त ततः सर्वे परिगृह्य सरस्वतीम्। तापसास्ते महात्मानो भृगुश्रेष्ठपुरस्कृताः॥
All of them, namely those great-souled ascetics with that foremost among the race of Bhrigu at their head, having reached the river Sarasvati, encamped there.
भीष्म उवाच ततस्तृतीये दिवसे संदिदेश व्यवस्थितः। कुरु प्रियं स मे राजन् प्राप्तोऽस्मीति महाव्रतः॥
Bhishma said On the third day of their encampment, the one of great vows sent me words: "I am come, do what is agreeable to me.”
तमागतमहं श्रुत्वा विषयान्तं महाबलम्। अभ्यगच्छं जवेनाशु प्रीत्या तेजोनिधिं प्रभुम्॥
Hearing of the arrival of that one endued with great strength at the boundary of my kingdom I went to that lord, the ocean of energy, with great cheerfulness,
गां पुरस्कृत्य राजेन्द्रं ब्राह्मणैः परिवारितः। ऋत्विभिर्देवकल्पैश्च तथैव च पुरोहितैः॥
With a cow before me and surrounded by Brahmanas, priests and preceptors who were equal to the gods themselves.
स मामभिगतं दृष्ट्वा जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान्। प्रतिजग्राह तां पूजां वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्॥
The son of Jamadagni, endued with luster, seeking me, accepted that worship and said these words,
राम उवाच भीष्म कां बुद्धिमास्थाय काशिराजसुता तदा। अकामेन त्वयाऽऽनीता पुनश्चैव विसर्जिता॥
Rama said I Bhishma, in what frame of mind was the daughter of the king of Kashis led away by you though you wanted her not; and why was she again sent away.
विभ्रंशिता त्वया हीयं धर्मादास्ते यशस्विनी। परामृष्टां त्वया हीमां को हि गन्तुमिहार्हति॥
By you has this lady of spotless fame been robbed of virtue; for touched by you as she has been, for whom would it be proper to marry her?
प्रत्याख्याता हि शाल्वेन त्वयाऽऽनीतेति भारत। तस्मादिमा मन्नियोगात् प्रतिगृह्णीष्व भारत॥
Having been once led away by you she has been rejected by Shalva; therefore do at my words accept her, O Bharata.
स्वधर्मं पुरुषव्याघ्र राजपुत्री लभत्वियम्। न युक्तस्त्ववमानोऽयं राज्ञां कर्तुं त्वयानघ॥
Let this princess fulfill her object, О best among men, and it is not proper, O king, that she should be disgraced by you, O sinless one.
ततस्तं वै विमनसमुदीक्ष्याहमथाब्रुवम्। नाहमेनां पुनर्दद्यां ब्रह्मन् भ्रात्रे कथंचन॥
Seeing him absent-minded on her account I said, “I cannot again offer her to my brother by any means, O Brahmana,"
शाल्वस्याहमिति प्राह पुरा मामेव भार्गव। मया चैवाभ्यनुज्ञाता गतेयं नगरं प्रति॥
To me she said before, I belong to Shalva, you of the Bhrigu race, and permitted by me went towards his capital.
न भयान्नाप्यनुक्रोशान्नार्थलोभान्न काम्यया। क्षात्रं धर्ममहं जह्यामिति मे व्रतमाहितम्॥
Not out of fear, nor out of pity, nor out of avarice and nor out of a desire to gain my object shall I abandon the duties of the Kshatriya order, such has been the vow made by me.
अथ मामब्रवीद् रामः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः। न करिष्यसि चेदेतद् वाक्यं मे नरपुङ्गव॥
Then did Rama say to me with eyes expanded with wrath:-“If you do not act up to my words, O best among men,
हनिष्यामि सहामात्यं त्वामद्येति पुनः पुनः। संरम्भादब्रवीद् रामः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः॥
I shall slay you along with your ministers;" he said thus to me again and again with eyes expanded with anger.
तमहं गीीरिष्टाभि पुनः पुनररिंदम। अयाचं भृगुशार्दूलं न चैव प्रशशाम सः॥
I again and again entreated that best among the Bhrigu race with sweet words, O chastiser among foes, but could not calm him down.
प्रणम्य तमहं मूर्धा भूयो ब्राह्मणसत्तमम्। अब्रूवं कारणं किं तद् यत् त्वं युद्धं मयेच्छसि॥
I then bowing my head to him said again to the best among the Brahmanas; "What is the reason of your proclaiming war with me?
इष्वस्त्रं मम बालस्य भवतैव चतुर्विधम्। उपदिष्टं महाबाहो शिष्योऽस्मि तव भार्गव॥
In my childhood had you taught me the use of four kinds of arms, and I am thus your pupil, O you of Bhrigu race."
ततो मामब्रवीद् रामः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः। जानी मां गुरुं भीष्म गृह्णासीमां न चैव ह॥
Then did Rama say to me with eyes red with anger, “You know me to be your preceptor, O Bhishma, and yet you will not accept this lady,
सुतां काश्यस्य कौरव्य मत्प्रियार्थं महामते। न हि ते विद्यते शान्तिरन्यथा कुरुनन्दन॥
The daughter of the king of the Kashis for my gratification, O son of Kuru, endued with great intelligence. There is no other way of gratifying me, O delighter of Kuru's race.
गृहाणेमां महाबाहो रक्षस्व कुलमात्मनः। त्वया विभ्रंशिता हीयं भर्तारं नाधिगच्छति॥
Accept this lady, O you of long arms, and perpetuate your family. Being severed from the path of rectitude by yourself she gets no husband."
तथा ब्रूवन्तं तमहं रामं पुरपुरंजयम्। नैतदेवं पुनर्भावि ब्रह्मर्षे किं श्रमेण ते॥
I said to Rama, the conqueror of hostile cites who was speaking thus: “This will not be, O regenerate Rishi, what is the use of labouring towards it.
गुरुत्वं त्वयि सम्प्रेक्ष्य जामदग्न्य पुरातनम्। प्रसादये त्वां भगवस्त्यक्तैषा तु पुरा मया॥
O son of Jamadagni, considering that you were my preceptor in days of old I sought to gratify you before, my lord.
को जातु परभावां हि नारी व्यालीमव स्थिताम्। वासयेत गृहे जानन् स्त्रीणां दोषो महात्ययः॥
Who will permit a woman, who sighs for another and who is therefore like a poisonous snake, to remain in his house knowing the great evils thereof.
न भयाद् वासवस्यापि धर्म जह्यां महाव्रत। प्रसीद मा वा यद्वा ते कार्यं तत्कुरु मा चिरम्॥
O you of great vows, I shall not for fear of Vasava even forsake my duties; either be gratified with me or do what you please without loss of time.
अयं चापि विशुद्धात्मन् पुराणे श्रूयते विभो। मरुत्तेन महाबुद्धे गीतः श्लोको महात्मना॥
My lord of pure heart, even this Sloka is heard in the Puranas, sung by Maruta endued with a large soul.
गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः। उत्पथप्रतिपन्नस्य परित्यागो विधीयते॥
The abandonment of a preceptor is provided when he is vain or has swerved from the right path or who does not know what his duties are.
स त्व गुरुरिति प्रेम्णा मया सम्मानितो भृशम्। गुरुवृत्तिं न जीनीघे तस्माद योत्स्यामि वै त्वया॥
I respected you very much so long because you were my preceptor; but since you do not know the duties of a preceptor, therefore shall I fight with you.
गुरुं न हन्यां समरे ब्राह्मणं च विशेषतः। विशेषतस्तपोवृद्धमेवं क्षान्तं मया तव॥
I shall not slay a preceptor in battle, especially as he is a Brahmana and you have been forgiven by me since you are old in devotion.
उद्यतेषुमथो दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणं क्षत्रबन्धुवत्। यो हन्यात् समरे क्रुद्धं युध्यन्तमपलायिनम्॥
One, who seeing a Brahmana, ready to fight like a friend of the Kshatriyas, wrathfully slays him who flies not from the fled,
ब्रह्महत्या न तस्य स्यादिति धर्मेषू निश्चयः। क्षत्रियाणां स्थितो धर्मं क्षत्रियोऽस्मि तपोधन॥
Is not guilty of slaying a Brahmana, such has been authoritatively laid down in the holy books, O you whose only wealth is asceticism, I am a Kshatriya observing the duties of my order.
यो यथा वर्तते यस्मिंस्तस्मिन्नेव प्रवयर्तयन्। नाधर्मं समवाप्नोति न चाश्रेयश्च विन्दति॥
Such a one as myself who treats such according to his merit does not act unrighteously and does not come by evils.
अर्थं वा यदि वा धर्म समर्थो देशकालवित्। अर्थसंशयमापन्नः श्रेयान्निः संशयो नरः॥
When one, able to discriminate the propriety of time and place and knowing both virtue and worldly good, is doubtful of his course, he should without hesitation do that which is virtuous.
यस्मात् संशयितेऽप्यर्थेऽयथान्यायं प्रवर्तसे। तस्माद् योत्स्यामि सहितस्त्वया राम महाहवे॥
Since you act unrighteously towards me in a matter connected with profit, I shall certainly fight with you in a great battle.
पश्य मे बाहुवीर्यं विक्रमं चातिमानुषम्। एवं गतेऽपि तु मया यच्छक्यं भृगुनन्दन।॥
Behold the strength of my arms and superhuman prowess and what I am capable of, under such circumstances.
तत् करिष्ये कुरुक्षेत्रे योत्स्ये विप्र त्वया सह। द्वन्द्वे राम यथेष्टं मे सज्जीभव महाद्युते॥
I shall do what I can and O regenerate one, I shall fight with you in Kurukshetra; and since you are desirous to fight, be prepared for battle.
तत्र त्वं निहतो राम मया शरशतार्दितः। प्राप्स्यसे निर्जिताँल्लोकान् शस्त्रपूतो महारणे॥
Go, O you who are fond of war, and return to the field of Kurukshetra and I shall go there to fight with you, O you whose only wealth is devotion.
स गच्छ विनिवर्तस्व कुरुक्षेत्रं रणप्रिय। तत्रैष्यामि महाबाहो युद्धाय त्वांत पोधन॥
Being slain by a hundred arrows shot by me, you will obtain those regions earned by your asceticism, being sanctified by my weapons in the battle.
अपि तत्र त्वया राम कृतं शौचं पुरा पितुः। तत्राहमपि हत्वा त्वां शौचं कर्ताऽस्मि भार्गव॥
Where in days of days of old, you sanctified the name of your fathers, even there shall I sanctify you, O you of Bhrigu's race.
तत्र राम समागच्छ त्वरितं युद्धदुर्मदा व्यपनेष्यामि ते दर्थं पौराणं ब्राह्मणब्रुव॥ राम बहुशः
Therefore come there quickly, O you who are hard to vanquish in battle and I shall destroy your boast of days of old, which is even now referred to by Brahmanas,
यच्चापि कत्थसे परिवत्सरे। निर्जिताः क्षत्रिया लोके मयैकेनेति तच्छृणु॥
The boast that you have indulged in for a long time past, namely the entire body of Kshatriyas have been conquered by me alone, listen to the cause thereof.
न तदा जातवान् भीष्मः क्षत्रियो वापि मद्विधः। पश्चाज्जातानि तेजांसि तृणेषु ज्वलितं त्वया।॥
At that time Bhishma was not born not even a Kshatriya like myself, energetic beings were created afterwards, you consumed only straw.
यस्ते युद्धमयं दधैं कामं च व्यपनाशयेत्। सोऽहं जातो महाबाहो भीष्मः परपुरंजयः। व्यपनेष्यामि ते दर्प युद्धे राम न संशयः॥
He, who will remove your boasts of velour and desire for war, is now born. He is myself, Bhishma, the subjugator of hostile cities and I shall destroy your pride in battle. There is no doubt about it.
भीष्म उवाच ततो मामब्रवीद् रामः प्रहसन्निव भारत। दिष्ट्या भीष्म मया साधू योद्धुमिच्छसि संगरे॥
Bhishma said Then did Rama say to me with a laugh, O Bharata:-It is fortunate, O Bhishma that you want to fight with me in battle.
अयं गच्छामि कौरव्य कुरुक्षेत्रं त्वया सह। भाषितं ते करिष्यामि तत्रागच्छ परंतप॥
I shall now go, O son of Kuru, to Kurukshetra with you. I shall do what you say. Go there, O chastiser of foes.
तत्र त्वां निहतं माता मया शरशताचितम्। जाह्नवी पश्यतां भीष्म गृध्रकङ्कबलाशनम्॥
There will your mother Jahnavi see yourself slain by my hundred arrows, O Bhishma, and be made the food of vultures and other birds of prey.
कृपणं त्वामभिप्रेक्ष्य सिद्धचारणसेविता। मया विनिहतं देवी रोदतामद्य पार्थिव॥
O ruler of the earth, let your mothe worshipped by Siddhas and Charanas seeing yourself slain by me, weep today.
अतदर्हा महाभागा भगीरथसुताऽधा। या त्वामजीजनन्मन्दं युद्धकामुकमातुरम्॥
Your mother of great parts, the daughter of Bhagiratha that gave birth to you, fool that you are, and affected by the desire of fight, is however undeserving of such a sight.
एहि गच्छ मया भीष्म युद्धकामुद दुर्मद। गृहाण सर्वं कौरव्य रथादि भरतर्षभ॥
Come and let us go together, O Bhishma, who are hard to vanquish in battle and desirous of war; take, O son of Kuru, your chariots etc. O foremost among the Bharatas,
इति ब्रवाणां तमहं रामं परपुरंजयम्। प्रणम्य शिरसा राममेवमस्त्वित्यथाब्रुवम्॥
To Rama the conquered of enemies towns who thus said then I bowed my head and said "Be it so."
एवमुक्त्वा ययौ रामः कुरुक्षेत्रं युयुत्सया। प्रविश्य नगरं चाहं सत्यवत्यै न्यवेदयम्॥
Rama, saying this, went to Kurukshetra with the desire of war and I too entering the city submitted every thing to Satyavati.
ततः कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा च प्रतिनन्दितः। द्विजातीन् वाच्य पुण्याहं स्वस्ति चैव महाद्युते॥
Then after performing propitiatory rites and being blessed by my mother and asking the twice born to bless me,
रथमास्थाय रुचिरं राजतं पाण्डुरैर्हयैः। सूपस्करं स्वधिष्ठानं वैयाघ्रपरिवारणम्॥
I mounted a beautiful chariot made of silver and drawn by white horses, beautiful to look at, furnished with good seats, and covered with tiger skins.
उपपन्नं महाशस्त्रैः सर्वोपकरणान्वितम्। तत्कुलीनेन वीरेण हयशास्त्रविदाणे॥
It was also furnished with great weapons and all other necessary things and guided by a charioteer of good birth well versed in the art of the management of horses,
यत्तुं सूतेन शिष्टेन बहुशो दृष्टकर्मणा। दंशितः पाण्डुरेणाहं कवचेन वपुष्मता॥
Careful and well trained in battle and who had seen many deeds of bravery. I too, with my body covered with a white coat of mail,
पाण्डुरं कार्मुकं गृह्य प्राया भरतसत्तम। पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि॥
And taking a white bow, went out, O best among the Bharatas with a white umbrella held over my head.
पाण्डुरैश्चापि व्यजनैर्वीज्यमानो नराधिप। शुक्लवासाः सितोष्णीषः सर्वशुक्लविभूषणः॥
I was also fanned by white fans, O ruler of men. I was clad with white garments, white head dress and all my ornaments were white.
स्तूयमानो जयाशीभिनिष्क्रम्य गजसाह्वयात्। कुरुक्षेत्रं रणक्षेत्रमुपायां भरतर्षभ॥
I went out of the city called after the elephant, being eulogized with prayers for my victory and approached the site of battle namely Kurukshetra.
ते हयाश्चोदितास्तेन सूतेन परमाहवे। अवहन् मां भृशं राजन् मनोमारुतरंहसः॥
Those horses fleet as the mind or the wind, urged by that charioteer, took me, O king, to the great battle.
गत्वाहं तत् कुरुक्षेत्रं स च रामः प्रतापवान्। युद्धाय सहसा राजन् पराक्रान्तौ परस्परम्॥
Myself as also that Rama endued with luster having reached Kurukshetra was each desirous of showing our prowess.
ततः संदर्शनेऽतिष्ठं रामस्यातितपस्विनः। प्रगृह्य शङ्खप्रवरं ततः प्राधममुत्तमम्॥
Coming within the sight of that excellent ascetic Rama, I took my good conch and loudly blew it.
ततस्तत्र द्विजा राजंस्तापसाश्च वनौकसः। अपश्यन्त रणं दिव्यं देवाः सेन्द्रगणास्तदा॥
At the time, O king, there were ascetics and other dwellers of the forest as well as groups of gods with Indra at their head to see that fight.
ततो दिव्यानि माल्यानि प्रादुरासंस्ततस्ततः। वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि मेघवृन्दानि चैव ह॥
There were seen at the time divine garlands and divine music and masses of clouds.
ततस्ते तापसाः सर्वे भार्गवस्यानुयायिनः। प्रेक्षकाः समपद्यन्त परिवार्य रणाजिरम्॥
Then did all the devotees, the followers of the scion of Bhrigu's race, become the spectators and surround us.
ततो मामब्रवीद् देवी सर्वभूतहितैषिणी। माता स्वरूपिणी राजन् किमिदं ते चिकीर्षितम्॥
Then did my divine mother, doing good to all creatures, in her own form say to me, O king, "what is this desired by you?
गत्वाहं जामदग्न्यं तु प्रयाचिष्ये कुरूद्वह। भीष्मेण सह मा योत्सी: शिष्येणेति पुनः पुनः॥
O supporter of the Kuru race, going to the son of Jamadagni I shall beg of him again and again saying: Do not fight with Bhishma.
मा मैवं पुत्र निर्बन्धं कुरु विप्रेण पार्थिव। जामदग्न्येन समरे योद्धमित्येव भद्यत्॥
Do not, my son fight thus with a Brahmana, O ruler of the earth, do not fight with the son of Jamadagni;" it was thus that she reproved me.
किन्न वै क्षत्रियहणो हरतुल्यपराक्रमः। विदितः पुत्रः रामस्ते यतस्तं योद्भुमिच्छसि॥
He has strength similar to that of Hara and he is the exterminator of the Kshatriya race, Rama with whom you desire to fight is well known to you.
ततोऽहमब्रुवं देवीमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः। सर्वं तद् भरतश्रेष्ठ यथावृत्तं स्वयंवरे॥
Then did I say to that goddess after bowing to her and clasping my hands all that had happened in the election of husband, O foremost among the Bharatas.
यथा च रामो राजेन्द्र मया पूर्वं प्रचोदितः। काशिराजसुतायाश्च यथा कर्म पुरातनम्॥
I told her also the way Rama had been spoken to by me, O chief among kings, and the old doings of the daughter of the king of the Kashis.
ततः सा राममभ्येत्य जननी मे महानदी। मदर्षं तमृर्षि वीक्ष्य क्षमयामास भार्गवम्॥
Then my mother, the great river, going to Rama and trying to entreat that Rishi, that scion of Bhrigu's race for my sake,
भीष्मेण सह मा योत्सीः शिष्येणेति वचोऽब्रवीत्। स च तामाह याचन्तीं भीष्ममेव निवर्तय। न च मे कुरुते काममित्यहं तमुपागमम्॥
Said these words: “Do not fight with Bhishma for he is your pupil” and he too said to her who was beseeching him. “Turn back the purpose of Bhishma. I am here because he does not perform what I desire."
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो गङ्गा सुतस्नेहाद् भीष्मं पुनरुपागमत्। न चास्याश्चाकरोद् वाक्यं क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः॥
Vaishampayana said Then did Ganga, out of affection for her son, come again to Bhishma but he with eyes expanded with wrath did not attend to her words.
अथादृश्यत धर्मात्मा भृगुश्रेष्ठो महातपाः। आह्वयामास च तदा युद्धाय द्विजसत्तमः॥
Then did the great devotee of virtuous soul, the foremost of the race of Bhrigu present himself to his view and that best among the twice born summoned him to fight.