Shloka 19

Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त

Devanagari script

सा त्वं सर्वविमोक्षाय तत्त्वमाख्याहि पूच्छत: । तथा विदध्यां सुश्रोणि कृत्यमाशु शुचिस्मिते

Transliteration

sā tvaṁ sarvavimokṣāya tattvam ākhyāhi pṛcchataḥ | tathā vidadhyāṁ suśroṇi kṛtyam āśu śucismite ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “Therefore, you—who are capable—tell me the true means by which all may be delivered from this peril, for I ask in earnest. O fair-hipped one, O gently smiling lady, once you have spoken, I shall promptly put that necessary course of action into practice.”

Word by Word

• {'sā tvam': 'you (that very one)', 'sarva-vimokṣāya': 'for the complete release/deliverance of all', 'tattvam': 'the truth

• the correct means', 'ākhyāhi': 'tell

• declare', 'pṛcchataḥ': 'of me who am asking

• as I inquire', 'tathā': 'thus

• accordingly', 'vidadhyām': 'I shall arrange/execute

• I will carry out', 'suśroṇi': 'O fair-hipped lady (vocative epithet)', 'kṛtyam': 'what must be done

• the required duty/action', 'āśu': 'quickly

• without delay', 'śuci-smite': 'O one with a pure/gentle smile (vocative epithet)'}

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

In a moment of impending catastrophe, Bhīṣma emphasizes seeking the 'tattva'—the truly effective and ethically sound means—and then acting without delay. Right counsel (true principle) should lead to prompt, responsible execution.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma addresses a woman (indicated by epithets like suśroṇi and śucismite), requesting that she disclose a genuine उपाय (means) to free everyone from danger; he assures her that he will immediately implement whatever necessary action she indicates.