Shloka 1
Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त
अपना बछ। अर: नवर्त्याधिकशततमो<्ध्याय: हिरण्यवमकि आक्रमणके भयसे घबराये हुए द्रुपदका अपनी महारानीसे संकटनिवारणका उपाय पूछना भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्तस्य दूतेन द्रुपदस्य तदा नृप । चोरस्येव गृहीतस्य न प्रावर्तत भारती
bhīṣma uvāca | evam uktasya dūtena drupadasya tadā nṛpa | corasyeva gṛhītasya na prāvartata bhāratī ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王よ、使者がそのように告げるや、ドルパダ王は—まるで現場で捕らえられた盗人のように—たちまち言葉を失い、唇から一言も出てこなかった。言葉はすぐには続かなかったのである。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how fear and the weight of accusation can silence even the powerful; ethical vulnerability and perceived wrongdoing (or the dread of consequences) can strip a person of clarity and speech, reminding rulers to act with foresight and dharmic steadiness.
A messenger delivers a pointed message to King Drupada. Hearing it, Drupada becomes stunned and speechless—compared to a thief caught—indicating shock, fear, and inability to respond immediately.