05.192
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
ततः शिखण्डिनो माता यथातत्त्वं नराधिप। आचचक्षे महाबाहो भर्त्रे कन्यां शिखण्डिनीम् ॥५-१९२-१॥
Then, O mighty-armed king, the mother of Śikhaṇḍin revealed the truth about their daughter Śikhaṇḍinī to her husband.
अपुत्रया मया राजन्सपत्नीनां भयादिदम्। कन्या शिखण्डिनी जाता पुरुषो वै निवेदितः ॥५-१९२-२॥
O king, because I was without a son and feared my co-wives, this daughter Śikhaṇḍinī was declared to be a man.
त्वया चैव नरश्रेष्ठ तन्मे प्रीत्यानुमोदितम्। पुत्रकर्म कृतं चैव कन्यायाः पार्थिवर्षभ ॥ भार्या चोढा त्वया राजन्दशार्णाधिपतेः सुता ॥५-१९२-३॥
O best of men, you have affectionately approved my actions. The duty of a son was fulfilled for the daughter, O bull among kings. You married the daughter of the lord of the Daśārṇas, O king.
त्वया च प्रागभिहितं देववाक्यार्थदर्शनात्। कन्या भूत्वा पुमान्भावीत्येवं चैतदुपेक्षितम् ॥५-१९२-४॥
You had previously mentioned, based on the interpretation of the divine words, that a girl would become a man, and this was overlooked.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा द्रुपदो यज्ञसेनः; सर्वं तत्त्वं मन्त्रविद्भ्यो निवेद्य। मन्त्रं राजा मन्त्रयामास राज; न्यद्यद्युक्तं रक्षणे वै प्रजानाम् ॥५-१९२-५॥
Upon hearing this, Drupada, also known as Yajnasena, informed the wise men of all the truths and consulted with the king's counsel on whatever was deemed appropriate for the protection of the people.
सम्बन्धकं चैव समर्थ्य तस्मि; न्दाशार्णके वै नृपतौ नरेन्द्र। स्वयं कृत्वा विप्रलम्भं यथाव; न्मन्त्रैकाग्रो निश्चयं वै जगाम ॥५-१९२-६॥
O King, having established a connection with the king of Daśārṇa and having executed the deception himself properly, he proceeded with focused counsel to make a decision.
स्वभावगुप्तं नगरमापत्काले तु भारत। गोपयामास राजेन्द्र सर्वतः समलङ्कृतम् ॥५-१९२-७॥
O Bharata, the city, naturally protected, was safeguarded by the king from all sides during times of distress, and it was well adorned.
आर्तिं च परमां राजा जगाम सह भार्यया। दशार्णपतिना सार्धं विरोधे भरतर्षभ ॥५-१९२-८॥
The king, accompanied by his wife, faced great distress and conflict alongside the king of Daśārṇa, O best of the Bharatas.
कथं सम्बन्धिना सार्धं न मे स्याद्विग्रहो महान्। इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा दैवतान्यर्चयत्तदा ॥५-१९२-९॥
Thinking about how to avoid a great conflict with his relation, he then worshipped the deities.
तं तु दृष्ट्वा तदा राजन्देवी देवपरं तथा। अर्चां प्रयुञ्जानमथो भार्या वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-१९२-१०॥
Upon seeing him then, O king, the queen, who was devoted to the gods, engaged in worship, and then the wife spoke.
देवानां प्रतिपत्तिश्च सत्या साधुमता सदा। सा तु दुःखार्णवं प्राप्य नः स्यादर्चयतां भृशम् ॥५-१९२-११॥
The understanding of the gods is always truthful and virtuous. However, when faced with the ocean of sorrow, it may greatly benefit those who worship us.
दैवतानि च सर्वाणि पूज्यन्तां भूरिदक्षिणैः। अग्नयश्चापि हूयन्तां दाशार्णप्रतिषेधने ॥५-१९२-१२॥
All the deities should be worshipped with generous offerings, and the sacred fires should also be kindled for the protection of the Dāśārṇa.
अयुद्धेन निवृत्तिं च मनसा चिन्तयाभिभो। देवतानां प्रसादेन सर्वमेतद्भविष्यति ॥५-१९२-१३॥
O lord, consider the cessation of conflict through mental resolve; by the grace of the gods, all this will come to pass.
मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रितं सार्धं त्वया यत्पृथुलोचन। पुरस्यास्याविनाशाय तच्च राजंस्तथा कुरु ॥५-१९२-१४॥
O wide-eyed one, execute what has been decided by the ministers along with you for the destruction of this city, O king.
दैवं हि मानुषोपेतं भृशं सिध्यति पार्थिव। परस्परविरोधात्तु नानयोः सिद्धिरस्ति वै ॥५-१९२-१५॥
O king, when fate is accompanied by human effort, it greatly succeeds. However, when there is mutual opposition, neither of these two succeeds.
तस्माद्विधाय नगरे विधानं सचिवैः सह। अर्चयस्व यथाकामं दैवतानि विशां पते ॥५-१९२-१६॥
Therefore, O lord of the people, establish order in the city with your ministers and worship the deities as you desire.
एवं सम्भाषमाणौ तौ दृष्ट्वा शोकपरायणौ। शिखण्डिनी तदा कन्या व्रीडितेव मनस्विनी ॥५-१९२-१७॥
Seeing those two engaged in conversation and immersed in sorrow, Shikhandini, the wise maiden, appeared as if she was ashamed.
ततः सा चिन्तयामास मत्कृते दुःखितावुभौ। इमाविति ततश्चक्रे मतिं प्राणविनाशने ॥५-१९२-१८॥
Then she thought that both of them were sorrowful because of her, and thus she decided to end her life.
एवं सा निश्चयं कृत्वा भृशं शोकपरायणा। जगाम भवनं त्यक्त्वा गहनं निर्जनं वनम् ॥५-१९२-१९॥
Thus, having resolved firmly and being deeply immersed in sorrow, she left her home and went to the dense and lonely forest.
यक्षेणर्द्धिमता राजन्स्थूणाकर्णेन पालितम्। तद्भयादेव च जनो विसर्जयति तद्वनम् ॥५-१९२-२०॥
O king, the prosperous Yaksha Sthūṇākarṇa protects the forest, and people abandon it out of fear.
तत्र स्थूणस्य भवनं सुधामृत्तिकलेपनम्। लाजोल्लापिकधूमाढ्यमुच्चप्राकारतोरणम् ॥५-१९२-२१॥
There, the house of the pillar is beautifully plastered with lime and clay, filled with the aromatic smoke of parched grain, and adorned with high walls and grand gateways.
तत्प्रविश्य शिखण्डी सा द्रुपदस्यात्मजा नृप। अनश्नती बहुतिथं शरीरमुपशोषयत् ॥५-१९२-२२॥
Then Śikhaṇḍī, the daughter of King Drupada, entered and, by fasting for many days, emaciated her body.
दर्शयामास तां यक्षः स्थूणो मध्वक्षसंयुतः। किमर्थोऽयं तवारम्भः करिष्ये ब्रूहि माचिरम् ॥५-१९२-२३॥
The Yaksha, accompanied by honey and food, revealed the pillar to her. What is the purpose of this endeavor of yours? Tell me quickly, I shall accomplish it without delay.
अशक्यमिति सा यक्षं पुनः पुनरुवाच ह। करिष्यामीति चैनां स प्रत्युवाचाथ गुह्यकः ॥५-१९२-२४॥
She repeatedly told the Yaksha that it was impossible. The Guhyaka then replied to her, "I will do it."
धनेश्वरस्यानुचरो वरदोऽस्मि नृपात्मजे। अदेयमपि दास्यामि ब्रूहि यत्ते विवक्षितम् ॥५-१९२-२५॥
I am a follower and boon-giver of the lord of wealth, O princess. I am willing to give even what is not meant to be given. Tell me what you wish for.
ततः शिखण्डी तत्सर्वमखिलेन न्यवेदयत्। तस्मै यक्षप्रधानाय स्थूणाकर्णाय भारत ॥५-१९२-२६॥
Then Shikhandi conveyed everything in detail to Sthunakarn, the chief of the Yakshas, O Bharata.
आपन्नो मे पिता यक्ष नचिराद्विनशिष्यति। अभियास्यति सङ्क्रुद्धो दशार्णाधिपतिर्हि तम् ॥५-१९२-२७॥
My father, the Yaksha, is in distress and will soon perish. The enraged king of Dasharna will indeed attack him.
महाबलो महोत्साहः स हेमकवचो नृपः। तस्माद्रक्षस्व मां यक्ष पितरं मातरं च मे ॥५-१९२-२८॥
The mighty and enthusiastic king, adorned with golden armor, therefore, O Yaksha, protect me, my father, and my mother.
प्रतिज्ञातो हि भवता दुःखप्रतिनयो मम। भवेयं पुरुषो यक्ष त्वत्प्रसादादनिन्दितः ॥५-१९२-२९॥
You have indeed promised me relief from sorrow. By your grace, Yaksha, may I become a blameless man.
यावदेव स राजा वै नोपयाति पुरं मम। तावदेव महायक्ष प्रसादं कुरु गुह्यक ॥५-१९२-३०॥
As long as the king does not come to my city, O great Yaksha, please grant your favor, Guhyaka.
