Shloka 12
अम्बायाः तपोदीक्षा–रुद्रवर–आत्मदाहः
Amba’s Ascetic Vow, Rudra’s Boon, and Self-Immolation
कृते विवाहे तु तदा सा कन्या राजसत्तम । यौवनं समनुप्राप्ता सा च कन्या शिखण्डिनी,नृपश्रेष्ठी हिरण्यवर्माकी पुत्री भी युवावस्थाको प्राप्त थी। इधर टद्रुपदकी कन्या शिखण्डिनी भी पूर्ण युवती हो गयी थी। विवाहकार्य सम्पन्न हो जानेपर पत्नीसहित शिखण्डी पुनः काम्पिल्य नगरमें आया। दशार्णराजकी कन्याने कुछ ही दिनोंमें यह समझ लिया कि शिखण्डी तो स्त्री है
kṛte vivāhe tu tadā sā kanyā rājasattama | yauvanaṃ samanupprāptā sā ca kanyā śikhaṇḍinī ||
Setelah pernikahan dilangsungkan, wahai raja terbaik, sang gadis mencapai masa mudanya; demikian pula Śikhaṇḍinī pun memasuki puncak kemudaan.
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic dilemma: even when rites like marriage are properly completed, ethical strain can arise if lived reality (here, Śikhaṇḍinī’s gender) conflicts with social expectations. It foreshadows how adherence to external form alone may not resolve questions of truth, duty, and harm.
Drupada reports that after the marriage was performed, both the bride (the other maiden) and Śikhaṇḍinī had reached full youth. This prepares the next development in the story, where the spouse begins to realize Śikhaṇḍinī is female, triggering crisis in the marriage and at court.