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
tataḥ sa rājā drupadasya śrutvā vimarṣa-yukto yuvatīr variṣṭhāḥ | sampreṣayāmāsa sucāru-rūpāḥ śikhaṇḍinaṃ strī pumān veti vettum ||
Maka raja itu, setelah mendengar kata-kata Drupada dan merenungkannya dengan saksama, mengutus beberapa gadis muda terbaik yang elok rupanya untuk memastikan kebenaran: apakah Śikhaṇḍin sesungguhnya perempuan atau laki-laki.
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.