Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)
प्रतिज्ञातो हि भवता दुःखप्रतिशमो मम । भवेयं पुरुषो यक्ष त्वत्प्रसादादनिन्दित:
pratijñāto hi bhavatā duḥkhapratiśamo mama | bhaveyaṃ puruṣo yakṣa tvatprasādādaninditaḥ ||
Sebab engkau telah berjanji akan melenyapkan dukaku. Wahai Yakṣa, berkat anugerahmu semoga aku menjadi laki-laki kembali—tanpa cela dan tanpa noda.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights ethical reliance on a pledged word (pratijñā) and the ideal of becoming “anindita”—restored not merely in form but in moral standing—through rightful relief from suffering granted by a higher power’s favor.
Bhīṣma addresses a Yakṣa, reminding him of a promise to end Bhīṣma’s suffering, and requests restoration to human status through the Yakṣa’s grace, emphasizing the binding nature of the promise and the desire for an honorable, blameless return.