Section CLXXX - Rama's Resolve to Slay Bhishma for Princess Amva

| Posted in: Hinduism Itihasa

Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CLXXX including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.

Short summary of the chapter:
Amva, a maiden of the Kasi kingdom, sought the help of Rama to kill Bhishma, who had caused her misery. Rama initially refused to take up arms unless commanded by Brahmanas but eventually agreed to help Amva. Akritavrana, a Rishi, reminded Rama of his vow to protect those who seek his help and to fight against those who harm Brahmanas. Rama, accompanied by his followers and Amva, set out to confront Bhishma at Kurukshetra, where they planned to either persuade him to comply or engage in battle if necessary. The ascetics performed their rites and prayers before continuing on their journey, determined to fulfill Amva's request to deal with Bhishma.

Full English translation:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section CLXXX - Rama's Resolve to Slay Bhishma for Princess Amva, have a look at the following articles:

Section CLXXX, online text

English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.

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Mahabharata (English Summary)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933

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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CLXXX:

What was Rama's response when urged to slay Bhishma?

Rama refused to take up arms without Brahmanas' command to fight Bhishma.

Why did Rama take the maiden to Bhishma instead of fighting him?

Rama preferred conciliation, vowing to slay Bhishma only if necessary.

Daily life: Rama's Resolve to Slay Bhishma for Princess Amva:

In the story, Rama demonstrates the importance of sticking to one's principles while also being open to negotiation and problem-solving. He refuses to take violent action immediately, showing a preference for peaceful resolution, but also acknowledges his previous vows to protect those seeking his help and to fight against injustice. This teaches us the value of balancing our moral commitments with a willingness to seek amicable solutions.

We can apply this in daily life by being firm on our core values and promises, yet flexible enough to consider peaceful ways to resolve conflicts. It's crucial to listen and empathize with those who seek our help or those we have disagreements with, striving to understand their perspective. This approach encourages dialogue and understanding, rather than escalating conflicts. By embodying Rama’s qualities of empathy, adherence to personal ethics, and commitment to protection and justice, we can foster more harmonious relationships both personally and professionally.

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