Shloka 56
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
दिष्टमेतत् पुरा मन््ये न शक््यमतिवर्तितुम् । गमनं तव चेतो हि पौलस्त्यस्य च दर्शनम्
diṣṭam etat purā manye na śakyam ativartitum | gamanaṁ tava ceto hi paulastyasya ca darśanam ||
“This, I think, was ordained long ago and cannot be overstepped. For your going forth—and even your very intention—are indeed directed toward seeing the descendant of Pulastya.”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the idea of diṣṭa (what is ordained): certain outcomes are presented as inevitable, and even one’s inner resolve aligns with that destined course—suggesting limits to human ability to override what has been set in motion.
The Yakṣa addresses the listener, stating that the listener’s journey and intention are directed toward an encounter with the Paulastya (Rāvaṇa), and that this meeting appears preordained and unavoidable.