Shloka 22
तत् प्रविश्य शिखण्डी सा द्रुपदस्यात्मजा नृप । अनश्षाना बहुतिथं शरीरमुदशोषयत्
tat praviśya śikhaṇḍī sā drupadasyātmajā nṛpa | anaśnānā bahutithaṁ śarīram udaśoṣayat ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—हे नृप, तेथे प्रवेश करून द्रुपदाची संतान शिखंडी अनेक दिवस अन्न न घेता राहिली आणि आपले शरीर कृश करून टाकले.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the power—and danger—of unwavering resolve: intense determination can lead to severe austerity and self-harm. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether one’s goal justifies extreme self-denial and how dharma should guide the use of personal will.
Bhīṣma narrates that Śikhaṇḍī, identified as Drupada’s child, enters a certain place and undertakes prolonged fasting. As a result, the body becomes emaciated, indicating a period of intense ascetic effort tied to Śikhaṇḍī’s larger life-story and purpose.