Shloka 40
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
शिखण्डी तु समासाद्य भरतानां पितामहम् | अभ्यद्रवत संदह्ृष्टो भयं त्यक्त्वा महारथात्
śikhaṇḍī tu samāsādya bharatānāṁ pitāmaham | abhyadravat saṁhṛṣṭo bhayaṁ tyaktvā mahārathāt ||
三阇耶说道：尸建陀既逼近婆罗多族的祖父毗湿摩，便抛却惧意，怀着昂扬的决心向那位大车战士猛攻而去。
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.