Shloka 40
ब्रह्मवध्यामिमामद्य भवत: शासनाद् वयम् | ग्रहीष्यामस्त्रिलोकेश मोक्ष॑ चिन्तयतां भवान्
brahmavadhyām imām adya bhavataḥ śāsanād vayam | grahīṣyāmas trilokeśa mokṣaṁ cintayatāṁ bhavān ||
Bhishma said: “O Lord of the three worlds, today, in obedience to your command, we shall accept this burden of brahmahatyā. May you, who ponder the way to liberation, keep your mind fixed on moksha.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes two imperatives: worldly obedience to rightful command (śāsana) and the higher spiritual orientation toward liberation (mokṣa). It highlights the ethical tension of acting within duty while remaining mindful of ultimate release and the moral weight of actions associated with brahma-hatyā.
Bhishma addresses a figure called “Trilokeśa,” stating that, following that person’s command, “we” will accept “this” person described as brahmavadhyā (linked to the grave sin of brahmin-slaying). He simultaneously urges contemplation of moksha, framing the act within a larger moral-spiritual horizon.