Shloka 57
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
मैं इसे अपना पुरातन प्रारब्ध ही मानता हूँ, जो कि तुम्हारा यहाँसे जाना और उसी समय यक्षराज कुबेरका यहाँ आकर दर्शन देना हुआ। अब इसे टाला नहीं जा सकता ।। भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्त: शिखण्डी तु स्थृूणयक्षेण भारत | प्रत्याजगाम नगरं हर्षेण महता वृत:,भीष्म कहते हैं--भरतनन्दन! स्थूणाकर्ण यक्षके ऐसा कहनेपर शिखण्डी बड़े हर्षके साथ अपने नगरको लौट आया
bhīṣma uvāca—evam uktaḥ śikhaṇḍī tu sthūṇayakṣeṇa bhārata | pratyājagāma nagaraṁ harṣeṇa mahatā vṛtaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “O descendant of Bharata, when the yakṣa Sthūṇa spoke thus, Śikhaṇḍī—overwhelmed with great joy—returned to his city.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the Mahābhārata theme that pivotal outcomes arise through forces beyond immediate human control—destiny, prior causes, and extraordinary interventions—yet characters still act within dharma’s framework, accepting what cannot be averted and proceeding with resolve.
Bhishma narrates that after being addressed by the yaksha Sthūṇa, Śikhaṇḍī becomes greatly delighted and returns to his city—marking the successful completion of a crucial encounter that supports Śikhaṇḍī’s role in the unfolding war events.