Shloka 23
उस भवनमें प्रवेश करके द्रुपदपुत्री शिखण्डिनी बहुत दिनोंतक उपवास करके शरीरको सुखाती रही ।। दर्शयामास तां यक्ष: स्थूणो मार्दवर्संयुत: । किमर्थोडयं तवारम्भ: करिष्ये ब्रूहि मा चिरम्,स्थूणाकर्ण यक्षने उसे इस अवस्थामें देखा। देखकर उसके हृदयमें कोमल भावका उदय हुआ। फिर उसने पूछा--“भद्रे! तुम्हारा यह उपवास व्रत किसलिये है? अपना प्रयोजन शीघ्र बताओ। मैं उसे पूर्ण करूँगा”
tat bhavanaṁ praviśya drupadaputrī śikhaṇḍinī bahūn divasān upavāsena śarīraṁ kṛśayāmāsa. darśayāmāsa tāṁ yakṣaḥ sthūṇo mārdavasaṁyutaḥ. kimartho ’yaṁ tava ārambhaḥ? kariṣye; brūhi mā ciraṁ.
Entering that dwelling, Śikhaṇḍinī, the daughter of Drupada, undertook a long fast and grew emaciated. The Yakṣa named Sthūṇa, moved by tenderness on seeing her condition, addressed her: “Noble lady, for what purpose have you begun this vow of fasting? Tell me without delay—I will accomplish your aim.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights compassion responding to suffering and the ethical power of resolve: a severe vow undertaken for a purpose can draw assistance, and a gentle heart (mārdava) is portrayed as a virtue that moves one to help another fulfill a rightful aim.
Śikhaṇḍinī enters a dwelling and fasts for many days, becoming weak. The Yakṣa Sthūṇa sees her condition, feels compassion, and asks the reason for her vow, promising to fulfill her objective if she explains it promptly.