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I explained to my mother all that had happened and made it clear that I would not now turn back. She then implored the sage not to fight with me.

“You should not fight with a Brahmin. Do not fight Jamadagni’s son.

Therefore I curse you not to regain your masculinity. Śikhaṇḍī too will not regain her female form.”

“If you do not act according to my instructions, then I shall slay you and all your ministers.”

I have vowed this: I will not fight with weapons against women, or those who bear women’s names, or even O Duryodhana, I will not fight with Śikhaṇḍī even if he attacks me, desiring my death.”

When you defeated the kṣatriyas, I had not yet been born, nor anyone like me. You consumed straw. Do not doubt it.”

Amba replied, “I desire to destroy Bhīṣma, who is so powerful that not even Paraśurāma could defeat him

They asked Kuvera to set a limit on his curse so that Sthuna would not be always punished.

Paraśurāma replied, “Although I am your preceptor, you have not obeyed my command.

I soon overpowered Shalva and destroyed his chariot, although I decided not to kill him.

Paraśurāma, seeing the irresistible Prashwapa upon my bow and not realizing that I had been forbidden They told him that I was one of the eight Vasus and that he could not slay me in battle.

Amba tried to change Shalva’s mind, pleading that she had not been happy to be kidnapped. He would not accept her. He told the disappointed princess to return to Hastināpura.

Comforting me again, they said, “Fear not, O son of Gaṅgā. Manufactured by Viśvakarmā, it is called the Prashwapa, and no one on earth knows it--not even Rāma. Rāma will be thrown down by that weapon, but not killed.

Bhīṣma reminded Duryodhana of the rules of battle, which he would not break.

If you had not come to me in this way, I would have cursed you.

O son of Kuru, do not humiliate him by any means.”

Still I have not been able to overpower him. Therefore, you may go where you please.

I would have chosen him in the svayaṁvara, but you kidnapped me and I did not have the opportunity.

O ruler of the earth, your mother does not deserve to see such a sight, but it must be so, for you are

Sprinkling my face with cool water, they said, “Do not be afraid. You will soon be successful.”