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,भीष्मजी कहते हैं-राजन्! दूतके ऐसा कहनेपर पकड़े गये चोरकी भाँति राजा ट्रपदके मुखसे सहसा कोई बात नहीं निकली
bhīṣma uvāca | evam uktasya dūtena drupadasya tadā nṛpa | corasyeva gṛhītasya na prāvartata bhāratī ||
Bhishma said: O king, when the messenger had spoken thus, King Drupada—like a thief caught in the act—found no words rising to his lips; his speech did not at once proceed. The verse highlights the moral pressure of accusation and fear: when one is seized by dread and perceived guilt, even a ruler’s composure and capacity to respond can collapse.
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.