Shloka 40
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
शिखण्डी तु समासाद्य भरतानां पितामहम् | अभ्यद्रवत संदह्ृष्टो भयं त्यक्त्वा महारथात्,शिखण्डीने भरतकुलके पितामह भीष्मके निकट पहुँचकर उन महारथी भीष्मसे सम्भावित भयको त्यागकर बड़े हर्षके साथ उनपर धावा किया
śikhaṇḍī tu samāsādya bharatānāṁ pitāmaham | abhyadravat saṁhṛṣṭo bhayaṁ tyaktvā mahārathāt ||
Sañjaya sprach: Als Śikhaṇḍī zu Bhīṣma, dem Ahnherrn der Bhāratas, herangekommen war, warf er die Furcht von sich und stürmte mit jubelnder Entschlossenheit auf jenen großen Wagenkämpfer los.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethic of overcoming fear in pursuit of one’s chosen duty and objective. It also hints at the moral complexity of war: even a revered elder like Bhishma may be confronted when the larger course of dharma and strategy demands it.
Sanjaya reports that Shikhandi closes in on Bhishma and, abandoning fear, rushes to attack him with great enthusiasm—an important tactical moment in the Kurukshetra battle where Shikhandi’s presence affects Bhishma’s response.