Shloka 37
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
अयं स्त्रीपूर्वको राजज्छिखण्डी यदि ते श्रुतः । उद्योगे कथितं यत्तत् तथा जाता शिखण्डिनी
ayaṁ strīpūrvako rājan chikhāṇḍī yadi te śrutaḥ | udyoge kathitaṁ yat tat tathā jātā śikhāṇḍinī ||
संजय म्हणाला— “राजन्! तुला नक्कीच ऐकिवात असेल की हा शिखंडी पूर्वी स्त्री होता. युद्धाच्या उद्योगकाळी मी तुला जे सांगितले होते, ते तसेच घडले— कन्यारूपाने जन्मलेली शिखंडिनी आता पुरुषरूपाने शिखंडी झाली आहे.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how prior identity and social-ethical norms shape conduct in war: Shikhandi’s origin as Shikhandini becomes morally significant in the battlefield context, influencing what is considered permissible or impermissible for a warrior.
Sanjaya reminds King Dhritarashtra that Shikhandi was originally born as a woman (Shikhandini) and later became male. This information is being highlighted because it will affect how key warriors—especially Bhishma—respond to Shikhandi in combat.