05.192
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
tataḥ śikhaṇḍino mātā yathātattvaṃ narādhipa। ācacakṣe mahābāho bhartre kanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinīm ॥5-192-1॥
Then, O mighty-armed king, the mother of Śikhaṇḍin revealed the truth about their daughter Śikhaṇḍinī to her husband.
aputrayā mayā rājan saptnīnāṃ bhayādidam। kanyā śikhaṇḍinī jātā puruṣo vai niveditaḥ ॥5-192-2॥
O king, because I was without a son and feared my co-wives, this daughter Śikhaṇḍinī was declared to be a man.
tvayā caiva naraśreṣṭha tanme prītyānumoditam। putrakarma kṛtaṃ caiva kanyāyāḥ pārthivarṣabha ॥ bhāryā coḍhā tvayā rājandaśārṇādhipateḥ sutā ॥5-192-3॥
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.
tvayā ca prāgabhihitaṁ devavākyārthadarśanāt। kanyā bhūtvā pumānbhāvītyevaṁ caitadupekṣitam ॥5-192-4॥
You had previously mentioned, based on the interpretation of the divine words, that a girl would become a man, and this was overlooked.
etacchrutvā drupado yajñasenaḥ; sarvaṃ tattvaṃ mantravidbhyo nivedya। mantraṃ rājā mantrayāmāsa rāja; nyadyadyuktaṃ rakṣaṇe vai prajānām ॥5-192-5॥
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.
sambandhakaṁ caiva samarthya tasmi; ndāśārṇake vai nṛpatau narendra। svayaṁ kṛtvā vipralambhaṁ yathāv; nantraikāgro niścayaṁ vai jagāma ॥5-192-6॥
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.
svabhāvaguptaṃ nagaramāpatkāle tu bhārata। gopayāmāsa rājendra sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtam ॥5-192-7॥
O Bharata, the city, naturally protected, was safeguarded by the king from all sides during times of distress, and it was well adorned.
ārtim ca paramāṃ rājā jagāma saha bhāryayā। daśārṇapatinā sārdhaṃ virodhe bharatarṣabha ॥5-192-8॥
The king, accompanied by his wife, faced great distress and conflict alongside the king of Daśārṇa, O best of the Bharatas.
kathaṁ sambandhinā sārdhaṁ na me syādvigraho mahān। iti sañcintya manasā daivatānyarcayattadā ॥5-192-9॥
Thinking about how to avoid a great conflict with his relation, he then worshipped the deities.
taṁ tu dṛṣṭvā tadā rājandevī devaparaṁ tathā। arcāṁ prayuñjānamatho bhāryā vacanamabravīt ॥5-192-10॥
Upon seeing him then, O king, the queen, who was devoted to the gods, engaged in worship, and then the wife spoke.
devānāṃ pratipattiśca satyā sādhumatā sadā। sā tu duḥkhārṇavaṃ prāpya naḥ syādarcayatāṃ bhṛśam ॥5-192-11॥
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.
daivatāni ca sarvāṇi pūjyantāṃ bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ। agnayaścāpi hūyantāṃ dāśārṇapratiṣedhane ॥5-192-12॥
All the deities should be worshipped with generous offerings, and the sacred fires should also be kindled for the protection of the Dāśārṇa.
ayuddhena nivṛttiṃ ca manasā cintayābhibho। devatānāṃ prasādena sarvametadbhaviṣyati ॥5-192-13॥
O lord, consider the cessation of conflict through mental resolve; by the grace of the gods, all this will come to pass.
mantribhirmantritaṃ sārdhaṃ tvayā yatpṛthulocana। purasyāsyāvināśāya tacca rājaṃstathā kuru ॥5-192-14॥
O wide-eyed one, execute what has been decided by the ministers along with you for the destruction of this city, O king.
daivaṁ hi mānuṣopetaṁ bhṛśaṁ sidhyati pārthiva। parasparavirodhāttu nānayoḥ siddhirasti vai ॥5-192-15॥
O king, when fate is accompanied by human effort, it greatly succeeds. However, when there is mutual opposition, neither of these two succeeds.
tasmād vidhāya nagare vidhānaṃ sacivaiḥ saha। arcayasva yathākāmaṃ daivatāni viśāṃ pate ॥5-192-16॥
Therefore, O lord of the people, establish order in the city with your ministers and worship the deities as you desire.
evaṃ sambhāṣamāṇau tau dṛṣṭvā śokaparāyaṇau। śikhaṇḍinī tadā kanyā vrīḍiteva manasvinī ॥5-192-17॥
Seeing those two engaged in conversation and immersed in sorrow, Shikhandini, the wise maiden, appeared as if she was ashamed.
tataḥ sā cintayāmāsa matkṛte duḥkhitāvubhau। imāviti tataścakre matiṃ prāṇavināśane ॥5-192-18॥
Then she thought that both of them were sorrowful because of her, and thus she decided to end her life.
evaṃ sā niścayaṃ kṛtvā bhṛśaṃ śokaparāyaṇā। jagāma bhavanaṃ tyaktvā gahanaṃ nirjanaṃ vanam ॥5-192-19॥
Thus, having resolved firmly and being deeply immersed in sorrow, she left her home and went to the dense and lonely forest.
yakṣeṇarddhimatā rājansthūṇākarṇena pālitam। tadbhayādeva ca jano visarjayati tadvanaṃ ॥5-192-20॥
O king, the prosperous Yaksha Sthūṇākarṇa protects the forest, and people abandon it out of fear.
tatra sthūṇasya bhavanaṃ sudhāmṛttikalepanam। lājollāpikadhūmāḍhyamuccaprākāratoraṇam ॥5-192-21॥
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.
tatpraviśya śikhaṇḍī sā drupadasyātmajā nṛpa। anaśnatī bahutithaṃ śarīramupaśoṣayat ॥5-192-22॥
Then Śikhaṇḍī, the daughter of King Drupada, entered and, by fasting for many days, emaciated her body.
darśayāmāsa tāṃ yakṣaḥ sthūṇo madhvakṣasaṃyutaḥ। kimartho'yaṃ tavārambhaḥ kariṣye brūhi māciram ॥5-192-23॥
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.
aśakyamiti sā yakṣaṃ punaḥ punaruvāca ha। kariṣyāmīti caināṃ sa pratyuvācātha guhyakaḥ ॥5-192-24॥
She repeatedly told the Yaksha that it was impossible. The Guhyaka then replied to her, "I will do it."
dhaneśvarasyānucaro varado'smi nṛpātmaje। adeyamapi dāsyāmi brūhi yatte vivakṣitam ॥5-192-25॥
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.
tataḥ śikhaṇḍī tatsarvamakhilena nyavedayat। tasmai yakṣapradhānāya sthūṇākarṇāya bhārata ॥5-192-26॥
Then Shikhandi conveyed everything in detail to Sthunakarn, the chief of the Yakshas, O Bharata.
āpanno me pitā yakṣa nacirādvinaśiṣyati। abhi yāsyati saṅkruddho daśārṇādhipatirhi tam ॥5-192-27॥
My father, the Yaksha, is in distress and will soon perish. The enraged king of Dasharna will indeed attack him.
mahābalo mahotsāhaḥ sa hemakavaco nṛpaḥ। tasmādrakṣasva māṃ yakṣa pitaraṃ mātaraṃ ca me ॥5-192-28॥
The mighty and enthusiastic king, adorned with golden armor, therefore, O Yaksha, protect me, my father, and my mother.
pratijñāto hi bhavatā duḥkhapratinayo mama। bhaveyaṃ puruṣo yakṣa tvatprasādādaninditaḥ ॥5-192-29॥
You have indeed promised me relief from sorrow. By your grace, Yaksha, may I become a blameless man.
yāvadeva sa rājā vai nopayāti puraṃ mama। tāvadeva mahāyakṣa prasādaṃ kuru guhyaka ॥5-192-30॥
As long as the king does not come to my city, O great Yaksha, please grant your favor, Guhyaka.
