Shloka 39
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
तथैव पाण्डवा: शूरा धृष्टद्युम्नश्न पार्षत: । अभ्यद्रवन् रणे भीष्म व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्,इसी प्रकार शूरवीर पाण्डव तथा ट्रुपदकुमार धृष्टद्युम्न--ये रणक्षेत्रमें मुँह फैलाये हुए यमराजके समान प्रतीत होनेवाले भीष्मपर टूट पड़े
tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ śūrā dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ | abhyadravan raṇe bhīṣmaṃ vyāditāsyam ivāntakam ||
Sañjaya dit : De même, les vaillants Pāṇḍava, avec Dhṛṣṭadyumna, fils de Pārṣata (Drupada), se ruèrent au combat contre Bhīṣma, qui paraissait la Mort elle-même, la gueule béante.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh ethical reality of dharma in war: even when facing a venerable elder like Bhīṣma, warriors may be compelled by their role and obligation to act decisively. It highlights how duty can demand confrontation without erasing reverence, and how the battlefield compresses moral choices into urgent action.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍavas, along with their commander Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Drupada’s son), rush to attack Bhīṣma in the thick of battle. Bhīṣma is described as resembling Death with an open mouth, emphasizing his terrifying prowess and the peril faced by those who engage him.