Shloka 20
शिखण्डिनि च मा भैस्त्वं विधास्ये तत्र तत्त्वतः । कृपयाहं वरारोहे वज्चित: पुत्रधर्मत:
śikhaṇḍini ca mā bhaistvaṃ vidhāsye tatra tattvataḥ | kṛpayāhaṃ varārohe vañcitaḥ putradharmataḥ ||
“Dan tentang Śikhaṇḍinī, janganlah engkau takut. Di sana aku akan bertindak dengan pertimbangan penuh menurut kebenaran. Wahai wanita berpinggul elok, kerana belas kasihan aku telah terikat—bahkan seakan diperdaya—oleh dharma kewajipan terhadap seorang anak lelaki.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: compassion and filial obligation can compel one into difficult choices, yet one should still strive to act ‘tattvataḥ’—with clear discernment of truth and right conduct.
Bhīṣma reassures the addressed woman not to fear concerning Śikhaṇḍinī, promising to handle the matter properly, while admitting that compassion and the duty connected with a son have placed him in a constrained or deceived position.