05.193
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
śikhaṇḍivākyaṃ śrutvātha sa yakṣo bharatarṣabha। provāca manasā cintya daivenopanipīḍitaḥ ॥ bhavitavyaṃ tathā taddhi mama duḥkhāya kaurava ॥5-193-1॥
Upon hearing Shikhandi's words, the Yaksha, troubled by fate, thought to himself, "This must indeed happen for my sorrow, O Kaurava."
bhadre kāmaṃ kariṣyāmi samayaṃ tu nibodha me। kiñcitkālāntaraṃ dāsye puṃliṅgaṃ svamidaṃ tava ॥ āgantavyaṃ tvayā kāle satyametadbravīmi te ॥5-193-2॥
O auspicious one, I will fulfill your desire, but be aware of my timing. After some time, I will grant you your own masculine form. You must arrive on time. I assure you, this is the truth.
prabhuḥ saṅkalpasiddho'smi kāmarūpī vihaṅgamaḥ। matprasādātpuraṃ caiva trāhi bandhūṃśca kevalān ॥5-193-3॥
I am the lord, capable of fulfilling wishes and taking any form I desire, like a bird. By my grace, protect the city and only the relatives.
strīliṅgaṃ dhārayiṣyāmi tvadīyaṃ pārthivātmaje। satyaṃ me pratijānīhi kariṣyāmi priyaṃ tava ॥5-193-4॥
I will take on a feminine form, O prince, truly promise me, I will do what pleases you.
śikhaṇḍy uvāca॥
Shikhandi spoke:
pratidāsyāmi bhagavaṁlliṅgaṁ punaridaṁ tava। kiñcitkālāntaraṁ strītvam dhārayasva niśācara ॥5-193-5॥
I will restore your form, O Lord, but for a little while, bear the form of a woman, O night-wanderer.
pratiprayāte dāśārṇe pārthive hemavarmaṇi। kanyāivāhaṃ bhaviṣyāmi puruṣastvaṃ bhaviṣyasi ॥5-193-6॥
When King Hemavarman of the Daśārṇas returns, I will transform into a maiden, and you will become a man.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
ityuktvā samayaṃ tatra cakrāte tāvubhau nṛpa। anyonyasyānabhidrohe tau saṅkrāmayatāṃ tataḥ ॥5-193-7॥
After speaking thus, the two kings made an agreement there to not harm each other and then proceeded to transfer the kingdom.
strīliṅgaṃ dhārayāmāsa sthūṇo yakṣo narādhipa। yakṣarūpaṃ ca taddīptaṃ śikhaṇḍī pratyapadyata ॥5-193-8॥
Sthuna, the Yaksha, took on a female form, O king. Shikhandi then took on that radiant form of the Yaksha.
tataḥ śikhaṇḍī pāñcālyaḥ puṃstvamāsādya pārthiva। viveśa nagaraṃ hṛṣṭaḥ pitaraṃ ca samāsadat ॥ yathāvṛttaṃ tu tatsarvamācakhyau drupadasya ca ॥5-193-9॥
Then Shikhandi, the son of Panchala, having become a man, entered the city joyfully and approached his father, and he narrated everything that had happened to Drupada.
drupadastasya tacchrutvā harṣamāhārayatparam। sabhāryastacca sasmāra maheśvaravacastadā ॥5-193-10॥
Upon hearing the news, Drupada was filled with immense joy. Accompanied by his wife, he recalled the words of Lord Shiva at that moment.
tataḥ saṃpreṣayāmāsa daśārṇādhipaternṛpa। puruṣo'yaṃ mama sutaḥ śraddhattāṃ me bhavāniti ॥5-193-11॥
Then the king of Daśārṇa sent a message to the king, saying, "This man is my son; please believe me."
atha dāśārṇako rājā sahasābhyāgamat tadā। pāñcālarājaṃ drupadaṃ duḥkhāmarṣasamanvitaḥ ॥5-193-12॥
At that time, the king of the Daśārṇas suddenly came to King Drupada of the Pāñcālas, overwhelmed with grief and anger.
tataḥ kāmpilyam āsādya daśārṇādhipatis tadā। preṣayām āsa satkṛtya dūtaṃ brahmavidāṃ varam ॥5-193-13॥
Then, upon reaching Kampilya, the lord of the Daśārṇas sent a highly respected messenger, who was the best among the knowers of Brahman.
brūhi madvacanāddūta pāñcālyaṃ taṃ nṛpādhamam। yadvai kanyāṃ svakanyārthe vṛtavānasi durmate ॥ phalaṃ tasyāvale pasya drakṣyasyadya na saṃśayaḥ ॥5-193-14॥
The messenger is instructed to tell the son of Panchala, considered the worst of kings, that his arrogant decision to choose the girl for his own daughter will have consequences, which he will witness today without any doubt.
evamuktastu tenāsau brāhmaṇo rājasattama। dūtaḥ prayāto nagaraṃ dāśārṇanṛpacoditaḥ ॥5-193-15॥
Upon being addressed in this manner by him, the Brahmin, O esteemed king, the messenger set out for the city, as instructed by the king of the Daasharna.
tata āsādayāmāsa purodhā drupadaṃ pure। tasmai pāñcālako rājā gām-arghyaṃ ca susatkṛtam ॥ prāpayāmāsa rājendra saha tena śikhaṇḍinā ॥5-193-16॥
Then the priest approached King Drupada in his city. The Panchala king sent him a cow and offerings, well-honored, along with Shikhandi, O king.
tāṃ pūjāṃ nābhyanandatsa vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha। yaduktaṃ tena vīreṇa rājñā kāñcanavarmaṇā ॥5-193-17॥
He did not accept the worship and said: "What was spoken by the hero, King Kanchanavarma."
yatte'hamadhamaācāra duhitrarthe'smi vañcitaḥ। tasya pāpasya karaṇātphalaṃ prāpnuhi durmate ॥5-193-18॥
Because of your wicked conduct, I have been deceived for the sake of your daughter. Now, O wicked-minded one, you shall receive the consequences of that sinful act.
dehi yuddhaṁ narapate mamādya raṇamūrdhani। uddhariṣyāmi te sadyaḥ sāmātyasutabāndhavam ॥5-193-19॥
O King, grant me battle today at the forefront; I shall immediately defeat your ministers, sons, and relatives.
tadupālambhasaṃyuktaṃ śrāvitaḥ kila pārthivaḥ। daśārṇapatidūtena mantrimadhye purodhasā ॥5-193-20॥
The king was indeed informed of that reproach by the messenger of the king of Daśārṇa, in the presence of the ministers and the priest.
abravīdbharataśreṣṭha drupadaḥ praṇayānataḥ। yadāha māṃ bhavānbrahmansambandhivacanādvacaḥ ॥ tasyottaraṃ prativaco dūta eva vadiṣyati ॥5-193-21॥
Drupada, with affection, said, "O best of the Bharatas, the message you conveyed to me through the words of relation, its reply will indeed be spoken by the messenger."
tataḥ saṃpreṣayāmāsa drupado'pi mahātmane। hiraṇyavarmaṇe dūtaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ vedapāragam ॥5-193-22॥
Then Drupada sent a Brahmin messenger, who was well-versed in the Vedas, to the noble Hiraṇyavarman.
samāgamya tu rājñā sa daśārṇapatinā tadā। tadvākyamādade rājanyaduktaṃ drupadena ha ॥5-193-23॥
After meeting with the king of Daśārṇa, he accepted the words spoken by Drupada, O king.
āgamaḥ kriyatāṃ vyaktaṃ kumāro vai suto mama। mithyaitaduktaṃ kenāpi tanna śraddheyamityuta ॥5-193-24॥
The arrival should be clearly announced, the prince is indeed my son. This statement was falsely made by someone and should not be believed.
tataḥ sa rājā drupadasya śrutvā; vimarśayukto yuvatīvariṣṭhāḥ। sampreṣayāmāsa sucārurūpāḥ; śikhaṇḍinaṃ strī pumānveti vettum ॥5-193-25॥
Then the king, upon hearing about Drupada, thoughtfully sent the most distinguished young women, who were of exquisite beauty, to ascertain whether Śikhaṇḍin was a woman or a man.
tāḥ preṣitāstattvabhāvaṃ viditvā; prītyā rājñe tacchaśaṃsurhi sarvam। śikhaṇḍinaṃ puruṣaṃ kauravendra; daśārṇarājāya mahānubhāvam ॥5-193-26॥
They were sent to understand the truth and affectionately reported everything to the king. Shikhandi, the man of great personality, was related to the Kaurava king and the king of Dasharna.
tataḥ kṛtvā tu rājā sa āgamaṃ prītimānatha। sambandhinā samāgamya hṛṣṭo vāsamuvāsa ha ॥5-193-27॥
Then, after the king had made the arrangements, he was pleased with the arrival. Having met with his relatives, he joyfully stayed at the residence.
śikhaṇḍine ca muditaḥ prādādvittaṃ janeśvaraḥ। hastino'śvāṃśca gāścaiva dāsyo bahuśatāstathā ॥ pūjitaśca pratiyayau nivartya tanayāṃ kila ॥5-193-28॥
The king, in a joyful mood, bestowed wealth upon Shikhandi, including elephants, horses, cows, and numerous servants. After being honored, he returned, having sent back his daughter.
vinītakilbiṣe prīte hemavarmaṇi pārthive। pratiyāte tu dāśārṇe hṛṣṭarūpā śikhaṇḍinī ॥5-193-29॥
King Hemavarman, having been freed from sin, was pleased. However, upon returning to Dasharna, Shikhandini was joyful.
kasyacit tvatha kālasya kubero naravāhanaḥ। lokānuyātrāṃ kurvāṇaḥ sthūṇasyāgān niveśanam ॥5-193-30॥
At a certain time, Kubera, the god of wealth who is known to ride men, was conducting a grand procession through the worlds and arrived at the abode of Sthūṇa.
sa tadgṛhasyopari vartamāna; ālokayāmāsa dhanādhigoptā। sthūṇasya yakṣasya niśāmya veśma; svalaṅkṛtaṃ mālyaguṇairvicitram ॥5-193-31॥
He, who was present above that house, looked at the protector of wealth. Upon seeing the house of the Yaksha of the pillar, which was beautifully adorned with various garlands, he was impressed.
lājaiśca gandhaiśca tathā vitānai; rabhyarcitaṃ dhūpanadhūpitaṃ ca। dhvajaiḥ patākābhiralaṅkṛtaṃ ca; bhakṣyānnapeyāmiṣadattahomam ॥5-193-32॥
The place was adorned with parched grains, perfumes, and canopies, well-worshipped and filled with incense smoke, decorated with flags and banners, and offerings of food, drinks, and meat were made as part of the sacrificial ceremony.
tatsthānaṃ tasya dṛṣṭvā tu sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtam। athābravīdyakṣapatistānyakṣānugāṃstadā ॥5-193-33॥
Upon observing his beautifully adorned place, the lord of the Yakshas then addressed his Yakshas and followers.
svalaṅkṛtamidaṃ veśma sthūṇasyāmitavikramāḥ। nopasarpati māṃ cāpi kasmādadya sumandadhīḥ ॥5-193-34॥
Why does this well-decorated house of the pillar of immeasurable valor not approach me today, and why is he acting so slow-witted?
yasmājjānansumandātmā māmasau nopasarpati। tasmāttasmai mahādaṇḍo dhāryaḥ syāditi me matiḥ ॥5-193-35॥
Since he is very dull-minded and does not approach me despite knowing, I believe he should be severely punished.
yakṣā ūcuḥ॥
The Yakshas spoke:
drupadasya sutā rājanrājño jātā śikhaṇḍinī। tasyai nimitte kasmiṁścitprādātpuruṣalakṣaṇam ॥5-193-36॥
O King, the daughter of Drupada was born as Śikhaṇḍinī. For her purpose, someone endowed her with male characteristics.
agrahīllakṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ strībhūtastiṣṭhate gṛhe। nopasarpati tenāsau savrīḍaḥ strīsvarūpavān ॥5-193-37॥
He adopted the characteristics of women and, having taken on a woman's form, stays in the house. He does not approach others, being bashful and embodying a woman's form.
etasmātkāraṇādrājansthūṇo na tvādya paśyati। śrutvā kuru yathānyāyaṃ vimānam iha tiṣṭhatām ॥5-193-38॥
O king, because of this reason, the pillar does not see you today. After hearing this, act justly and let the chariot remain here.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
ānīyatāṃ sthūṇa iti tato yakṣādhipo'bravīt। kartāsmi nigrahaṃ tasyetyuvāca sa punaḥ punaḥ ॥5-193-39॥
The lord of the Yakshas said, "Bring the pillar." He repeatedly stated, "I will restrain him."
so'bhyagacchata yakṣendramāhūtaḥ pṛthivīpate। strīsvarūpo mahārāja tasthau vrīḍāsamanvitaḥ ॥5-193-40॥
Summoned by the lord of Yakshas, he approached, O lord of the earth. Disguised as a woman, he stood there, O great king, filled with shame.
taṁ śaśāpa susaṅkruddho dhanadaḥ kurunandana। evameva bhavatvasya strītvaṁ pāpasya guhyakāḥ ॥5-193-41॥
Kubera, in his great anger, cursed him, saying, "O descendant of Kuru, let the sinful Guhyakas become women in this manner."
tato'bravīdyakṣapatirmahātmā; yasmādadāstvavamanyeha yakṣān। śikhaṇḍine lakṣaṇaṃ pāpabuddhe; strīlakṣaṇaṃ cāgrahīḥ pāpakarman ॥5-193-42॥
Then the great soul, the lord of the Yakshas, said: "Because you have shown disrespect to the Yakshas here, you evil-minded one, you have accepted the female characteristic for Shikhandi, you evil-doer."
apravṛttaṃ sudurbuddhe yasmādetatkṛtaṃ tvayā। tasmādadya prabhṛtyeva tvaṃ strī sa puruṣastathā ॥5-193-43॥
O wicked-minded one, because you have done this, from today onwards, you shall be a woman and he shall be a man.
tataḥ prasādayāmāsur yakṣā vaiśravaṇaṃ kila। sthūṇasyārthe kuruṣvāntaṃ śāpasyeti punaḥ punaḥ ॥5-193-44॥
Then the Yakshas indeed appeased Vaishravana, repeatedly requesting him to end the curse for the sake of Sthuna.
tato mahātmā yakṣendraḥ pratyuvācānugāminaḥ। sarvānyakṣagaṇāṃstāta śāpasyāntacikīrṣayā ॥5-193-45॥
Then the great soul, the lord of the Yakshas, addressed all his followers, the groups of Yakshas, with the intention to end the curse, dear.
hate śikhaṇḍini raṇe svarūpaṃ pratipatsyate। sthūṇo yakṣo nirudvego bhavatviti mahāmanāḥ ॥5-193-46॥
When Śikhaṇḍin is slain in battle, he will return to his true form. Let Sthūṇa, the Yakṣa, remain fearless, said the wise one.
ityuktvā bhagavān devo yakṣarākṣasapūjitaḥ। prayayau saha taiḥ sarvairnimeṣāntaracāribhiḥ ॥5-193-47॥
After speaking thus, the blessed god, honored by yakṣas and rākṣasas, departed with all those who can move within a moment.
sthūṇastu śāpaṃ samprāpya tatraiva nyavasattadā। samaye cāgamattaṃ vai śikhaṇḍī sa kṣapācaram ॥5-193-48॥
Sthuna, after receiving the curse, stayed there. At that time, Shikhandi approached him, who was a night-wanderer.
so'bhigamyābravīdvākyaṃ prāpto'smi bhagavanniti। tamabravīttataḥ sthūṇaḥ prīto'smīti punaḥ punaḥ ॥5-193-49॥
He approached and said, "I have arrived, O Lord." Then Sthuna replied to him, "I am pleased," repeatedly.
ārjavenāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā rājaputraṃ śikhaṇḍinam। sarvameva yathāvṛttamācacakṣe śikhaṇḍine ॥5-193-50॥
Upon seeing the prince Shikhandin arrive with honesty, everything was explained to him exactly as it happened.
yakṣa uvāca॥
The Yaksha said:
śapto vaiśravaṇenāsmi tvatkṛte pārthivātmaja। gacchedānīṃ yathākāmaṃ cara lokānyathāsukham ॥5-193-51॥
I have been cursed by Vaiśravaṇa because of you, O prince. Now go wherever you desire and roam the worlds freely and comfortably.
diṣṭametatpurā manye na śakyamativartitum। gamanaṃ tava ceto hi paulastyasya ca darśanam ॥5-193-52॥
I believe this was destined long ago and cannot be changed. Your intention is truly to go and meet Paulastya.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
evamuktaḥ śikhaṇḍī tu sthūṇayakṣeṇa bhārata। pratyājagāma nagaraṃ harṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ ॥5-193-53॥
After being addressed by Sthunayaksha, Shikhandi, filled with great joy, returned to the city, O Bharata.
pūjayāmāsa vividhairgandhamālyairmahādhanaiḥ। dvijātīndevatāścāpi caityānatha catuṣpathān ॥5-193-54॥
He worshipped the twice-born, deities, sanctuaries, and crossroads with various fragrances, garlands, and great wealth.
drupadaḥ saha putreṇa siddhārthena śikhaṇḍinā। mudaṃ ca paramāṃ lebhe pāñcālyaḥ saha bāndhavaiḥ ॥5-193-55॥
Drupada, accompanied by his son Siddhartha and Shikhandi, experienced immense joy together with the Panchala and his relatives.
śiṣyārthaṃ pradadau cāpi droṇāya kurupuṅgavaḥ। śikhaṇḍinaṃ mahārāja putraṃ strīpūrviṇaṃ tathā ॥5-193-56॥
O best of the Kurus, for the sake of the disciple, you also entrusted Śikhaṇḍin, who was once a woman, to Droṇa, O great king.
pratipede catuṣpādaṃ dhanurvedaṃ nṛpātmajaḥ। śikhaṇḍī saha yuṣmābhirdhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ ॥5-193-57॥
The prince mastered the comprehensive knowledge of archery. Shikhandi, together with all of you, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, were involved.
mama tvetaccarāstāta yathāvatpratyavedayan। jaḍāndhabadhirākārā ye yuktā drupade mayā ॥5-193-58॥
My spies, O dear, have accurately reported about those who were engaged in Drupada's court, appearing as if they were dull, blind, and deaf.
evameṣa mahārāja strīpumāndrupadātmajaḥ। sambhūtaḥ kauravaśreṣṭha śikhaṇḍī rathasattamaḥ ॥5-193-59॥
Thus, O great king, Shikhandi, the son of Drupada, who embodies both male and female, was born as the foremost of chariot-warriors, O best of the Kauravas.
jyeṣṭhā kāśipateḥ kanyā ambā nāmeti viśrutā। drupadasya kule jātā śikhaṇḍī bharatarṣabha ॥5-193-60॥
Ambā, the eldest daughter of the king of Kāśi, was renowned and reborn in the family of Drupada as Śikhaṇḍī, O best of the Bharatas.
nāhamenaṃ dhanuṣpāṇiṃ yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam। muhūrtamapi paśyeyaṃ prahareyaṃ na cāpyuta ॥5-193-61॥
I would not even look at or strike this person who stands ready with a bow, eager to fight, not even for a moment.
vratametanmama sadā pṛthivyāmapi viśrutam। striyāṃ strīpūrvake cāpi strīnāmni strīsvarūpiṇi ॥5-193-62॥
This vow of mine is always renowned on earth, among women, in those preceded by women, and also in those named or having the form of a woman.
na muñceyamahaṃ bāṇāniti kauravanandana। na hanyāmahametena kāraṇena śikhaṇḍinam ॥5-193-63॥
I will not release my arrows, O joy of the Kauravas, nor will I kill Shikhandin for this reason.
etattattvamahaṁ veda janma tāta śikhaṇḍinaḥ। tato nainaṁ haniṣyāmi samareṣvātatāyinam ॥5-193-64॥
I am aware of the truth about Shikhandi's birth, father. Therefore, I will not kill him in battle, even though he is an aggressor.
yadi bhīṣmaḥ striyaṃ hanyāddhanyādātmānamapyuta। nainaṃ tasmāddhaniṣyāmi dṛṣṭvāpi samare sthitam ॥5-193-65॥
If Bhishma were to kill a woman, he would also kill himself. Therefore, even seeing him standing in battle, I will not kill him.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
etacchrutvā tu kauravyo rājā duryodhanastadā। muhūrtamiva sa dhyātvā bhīṣme yuktamamanyata ॥5-193-66॥
Upon hearing this, King Duryodhana of the Kauravas paused for a moment and thought it was appropriate to rely on Bhishma.
