Shloka 80
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
य एष द्रौपदो राजंस्तव सैन्ये महारथ:,राजन! तुम्हारी सेनामें जो यह ट्रुपदपुत्र महारथी शिखण्डी है, वह समरभूमिमें अमर्षशील, शौर्यसम्पन्न तथा युद्धविजयी है। वह पहले स्त्री था, फिर पुरुषभावको प्राप्त हुआ है
ya eṣa draupado rājan tava sainye mahārathaḥ | rājan! śikhaṇḍī nāma tr̥pada-putro raṇe ’marṣī śaurya-sampannaś ca yuddha-vijayī ca | sa pūrvaṁ strī āsīt paścāt puruṣa-bhāvaṁ prāptaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “O King, this mighty chariot-warrior in your army—Shikhandi, the son of Drupada—is on the battlefield fierce in resolve, endowed with valor, and victorious in war. He was formerly a woman, and later attained the state of manhood.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how personal history and identity can carry ethical and strategic weight in dharma-yuddha: a warrior’s past (Shikhandi’s transformation) becomes relevant to decisions on the battlefield, showing that war in the Mahabharata is shaped not only by strength but also by moral constraints, vows, and remembered wrongs.
Bhishma identifies Shikhandi within the opposing forces and describes his prowess and distinctive background—formerly female, later male—foreshadowing Shikhandi’s crucial role in the battle dynamics surrounding Bhishma, whose conduct in war is influenced by his principles regarding whom he will fight.