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 ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Gayundin, ang lahat ng iyong mga mandirigma ay inilagay sa unahan si Bhīṣma, ang mahigpit sa panata, at nakipagsagupaan nang pantay sa mga kampeon ng Pāṇḍava na pinangungunahan ni Śikhaṇḍin.
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.