Shloka 44
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
सो<भ्यगच्छत यक्षेन्द्रमाहृत: पृथिवीपते । स्त्रीसरूपो महाराज तस्थौ व्रीडासमन्वित:
so 'bhyagacchat yakṣendram āhṛtaḥ pṛthivīpate | strī-sarūpo mahārāja tasthau vrīḍā-samanvitaḥ ||
Dipanggil oleh sang raja, Yakṣa itu mendatangi raja para Yakṣa, Kubera. Wahai maharaja, karena telah mengambil rupa seorang perempuan, ia berdiri di hadapannya, diliputi rasa malu.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological tension between external role (a compelled disguise) and internal dignity: even when acting under summons, one may feel shame if the adopted form conflicts with one’s self-conception, reminding rulers to consider the human cost of commands.
A person, summoned by a king, approaches Kubera (lord of the Yakṣas). Because he has taken on a woman’s form, he stands before Kubera feeling embarrassed and ashamed.