Shloka 42
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
तथैव तावका: सर्वे पुरस्कृत्य यतव्रतम् । शिखण्डिप्रमुखान् पार्थान् योधयन्ति सम संयुगे
tathaiva tāvakāḥ sarve puraskṛtya yatavratam | śikhaṇḍipramukhān pārthān yodhayanti samaṃ yuge ||
Demikian pula semua prajuritmu, menempatkan Bhīṣma yang teguh pada laku-sumpahnya di barisan depan, menghadapi para Pārtha yang dipimpin Śikhaṇḍin dalam pertempuran yang seimbang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how personal discipline and vows (vrata)—exemplified by Bhīṣma—become sources of authority and morale in war, yet remain entangled with ethical complexity: revered virtue is deployed as an instrument within a violent conflict.
Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava forces advance with Bhīṣma at their head and engage the Pāṇḍava side, especially the warriors led by Śikhaṇḍin, in a direct and evenly matched confrontation on the battlefield.