Shloka 28
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
ततः स राजा द्रुपदस्य श्रुत्वा विमर्षयुक्तो युवतीर्वरिष्ठा: । सम्प्रेषयामास सुचारुरूपा: शिखण्डिनं स्त्री पुमान् वेति वेत्तुम्,राजा द्रुपदका यह उत्तर सुनकर हिरण्यवर्माने कुछ विचार किया और अत्यन्त मनोहर रूपवाली कुछ श्रेष्ठ युवतियोंको यह जाननेके लिये भेजा कि शिखण्डी स्त्री है या पुरुष
tataḥ sa rājā drupadasya śrutvā vimarṣa-yukto yuvatīr variṣṭhāḥ | sampreṣayāmāsa sucāru-rūpāḥ śikhaṇḍinaṃ strī pumān veti vettum ||
Entonces aquel rey, tras oír las palabras de Drúpada y reflexionar con cuidado, envió a algunas de las más selectas doncellas—de hermosa figura—para averiguar la verdad: si Śikhaṇḍin era en realidad mujer o varón.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent governance: before taking consequential action, a ruler should deliberate (vimarṣa) and verify facts through appropriate means. It also reflects the ethical and social weight placed on identity and legitimacy in royal alliances.
After hearing Drupada’s statement, the king (Hiraṇyavarman) thinks carefully and sends selected young women to determine whether Śikhaṇḍin is biologically a woman or a man, since this affects royal decisions and alliances.