05.191
Bhishma said:
After being addressed by the messenger of Drupada, O king, the speech did not proceed as if it were that of a captured thief.
He made a great effort using connections and conciliations, sending messengers with sweet words, instructing them to say, "This is not the case."
The king, after realizing the truth, quickly went to the daughter of Panchala, referring to her as 'girl'.
Then, following the words of the nurses, he sent the message of the daughter's separation to the friends of immense strength.
Then, the best of kings, having gathered the forces, decided to march towards Drupada, O Bharata.
Then King Hiranyavarma consulted with his friends regarding the Panchala prince, O King.
There was indeed a certainty among the great kings that if this truth is the daughter, O king, Śikhaṇḍinī, then having captured the king of the Pāñcālas, we shall bring him home.
We will install another king among the Panchalas and then kill King Drupada along with Shikhandi.
The lord, after commanding the messenger once more, sent the minister to the son of Pritha with the message, 'Be resolute in your intent to kill.'
King Drupada, naturally fearful and sinful, was overtaken by intense fear as the lord of the earth.
Drupada, overwhelmed with sorrow, dismissed the messenger to the Daśārṇas and spoke to his wife in private.
The king of Panchala, overwhelmed by great fear and struck by sorrow in his heart, was indeed the beloved mother of Shikhandi.
The very powerful King Hiranyavarma, who is related to me, will angrily approach, dragging his army.
What should I do now, confused about this girl? It is suspected that Shikhandi is indeed your son, thus considered a daughter.
Having truly decided this, with his friends and followers, he thinks, 'I am deceived' and indeed wants to rescue me.
O beautiful-hipped one, tell me what is true and what is false here, O lovely one. After hearing your words, O auspicious one, I will act accordingly.
I am indeed in doubt, and this young girl is Shikhandini. You, O queen, have encountered great difficulty, O beautiful lady.
She, please declare the truth for universal liberation to the one who is asking. Thus, O beautiful-hipped one, I shall perform this duty, O pure-smiled one. O peacock-bannered one, do not fear, I shall truly arrange everything there.
O beautiful lady, I was deceived from my duty as a son by my actions. The king of the Daśārṇas and the lord of the earth were also deceived by me. O fortunate one, please tell me what is beneficial to do there, and I shall do it.
Even though the king knew, he urged the goddess to proclaim openly about the other, and she replied to the king.
