Shloka 9

Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त

Devanagari script

घातयिष्याम नृपतिं पाउ्चालं सशिखण्डिनम्‌

Transliteration

ghātayiṣyāma nṛpatiṃ pāñcālaṃ saśikhaṇḍinam |

Translation

ビーシュマは言った。「我らはパンチャーラ王を、シカンディンとともに討ち滅ぼす。」その大いなる心を持つ同盟諸王の集会において、王たちは公然と決意を宣言した。もしシカンディンが実は息子ではなく娘であると真実が証明されるなら、パンチャーラの支配者を捕らえて自らの家へ囚人として連れ去り、パンチャーラ国には別の王を据え、ドルパダをシカンディンとともに殺す、と。

Word by Word

• घातयिष्यामः: we shall cause to be slain / we shall kill
• घातयिष्यामः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: घातय् (णिच् of हन्)
• Form: लृट् (simple future), 1, plural, परस्मैपद

• नृपतिम्: the king
• नृपतिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• पाञ्चालम्: the Panchala (king/one of Panchala)
• पाञ्चालम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाञ्चाल
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• सशिखण्डिनम्: together with Shikhandin
• सशिखण्डिनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-शिखण्डिन्
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Drupada
• Śikhaṇḍin
• Pāñcāla (kingdom)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how adharma can arise when rulers treat moral questions (here, Śikhaṇḍin’s identity) as mere political leverage. It warns that public ‘proof’ and rumor can be weaponized to justify captivity, regime change, and killing—actions that violate restraint and righteous kingship.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma reports a declared plan among allied kings: if Śikhaṇḍin is established to be female rather than male, they will capture Drupada, replace him with another ruler over Pāñcāla, and kill Drupada along with Śikhaṇḍin.