Shloka 68
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
एतत् तत्त्वमहं वेद जन्म तात शिखण्डिन: । ततो नैनं हनिष्यामि समरेष्वाततायिनम्,तात! इसी कारणसे मैं शिखण्डीको नहीं मार सकता। शिखण्डीके जन्मका वास्तविक वृत्तान्त मैं जानता हूँ। अतः समरभूमिमें वह आततायी होकर आवे तो भी मैं इसे नहीं मारूँगा
etat tattvam ahaṁ veda janma tāta śikhaṇḍinaḥ | tato nainaṁ haniṣyāmi samareṣv ātatāyinam ||
Bhishma said: “Dear one, I know the true reality of Shikhandin’s birth. Therefore I will not kill him in battle—even if he comes onto the battlefield as an aggressor. Knowing his origin, I cannot bring myself to strike him.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, ethical restraint can override the impulse to kill: Bhishma grounds his decision in knowledge of Shikhandin’s true birth and identity, implying that dharma is not merely rule-following but conscientious discernment about whom it is right to strike.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparations context, Bhishma explains to his interlocutor that he knows Shikhandin’s real origin and therefore will not kill him in battle, even if Shikhandin approaches as an ātatāyin (aggressor).