Shloka 49
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
ततो महात्मा यक्षेन्द्र: प्रत्युवाचानुगामिन: । सर्वान् यक्षगणांस्तात शापस्यान्तचिकीर्षया
tato mahātmā yakṣendraḥ pratyuvācānugāminaḥ | sarvān yakṣagaṇāṁs tāta śāpsyāntacikīrṣayā ||
Lalu sang mahātma, raja para Yakṣa, menjawab para pengikutnya. Menyapa segenap rombongan Yakṣa dengan sebutan ‘anakku’, dan berkehendak mengakhiri kutukan itu, ia berkata demikian.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of authority: true leadership seeks to remove suffering and resolve harmful conditions (like a curse) rather than prolong conflict. Power is shown as responsibility aimed at restoration.
Bhīṣma narrates that the Yakṣa-lord, followed by his attendants, addresses all the Yakṣa hosts and speaks with the intention of ending a curse. This line functions as a transition into the Yakṣendra’s forthcoming speech or directive.