Shloka 37
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
अयं स्त्रीपूर्वको राजज्छिखण्डी यदि ते श्रुतः । उद्योगे कथितं यत्तत् तथा जाता शिखण्डिनी
ayaṁ strīpūrvako rājan chikhāṇḍī yadi te śrutaḥ | udyoge kathitaṁ yat tat tathā jātā śikhāṇḍinī ||
संजय बोले— “राजन्! तुमने भी अवश्य सुना होगा कि यह शिखण्डी पहले स्त्री था। युद्ध-उद्योग के समय मैंने जो बात तुमसे कही थी, वही वैसी ही घटित हुई— कन्या-रूप में जन्मी शिखण्डिनी अब पुरुष-रूप में शिखण्डी हो गई है।”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how prior identity and social-ethical norms shape conduct in war: Shikhandi’s origin as Shikhandini becomes morally significant in the battlefield context, influencing what is considered permissible or impermissible for a warrior.
Sanjaya reminds King Dhritarashtra that Shikhandi was originally born as a woman (Shikhandini) and later became male. This information is being highlighted because it will affect how key warriors—especially Bhishma—respond to Shikhandi in combat.