Shloka 66
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
व्रतमेतन््मम सदा पृथिव्यामपि विश्रुतम् । स्त्रियां स्त्रीपूर्वके चैव स्त्रीनाम्नि स्त्रीसरूपिणि
vratam etan mama sadā pṛthivyām api viśrutam | striyāṃ strīpūrvake caiva strīnāmni strīsarūpiṇi na muñceyam ahaṃ bāṇam iti kauravanandana |
قال بهيشما: «إن هذا النذرَ لي مشهورٌ في أرجاء الأرض: لن أُطلق سهمًا على امرأة، ولا على من كانت امرأة ثم صارت رجلًا، ولا على من كان اسمُه مؤنثًا، ولا على من كانت هيئتُه ولباسُه شبيهين بهيئة النساء ولباسهن. تلك هي عفّتي في القتال، يا بهجةَ الكورو.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma articulates a self-binding ethical limit in warfare: even in battle he will not attack those he classifies as ‘woman’ or woman-associated (by prior gender, name, or appearance). The verse highlights how personal vows and dharma-based restraints can override tactical advantage.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Bhīṣma explains to a Kuru prince that his famous vow prevents him from shooting certain opponents—especially those connected with womanhood—foreshadowing how such a rule can be used strategically against him in the coming conflict.