Shloka 9
Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त
घातयिष्याम नृपतिं पाउ्चालं सशिखण्डिनम्
ghātayiṣyāma nṛpatiṃ pāñcālaṃ saśikhaṇḍinam |
Bhīṣma berkata: “Kita akan membunuh raja Pāñcāla—bersama Śikhaṇḍin.” Dalam perhimpunan sekutu yang berhati besar itu, para raja mengisytiharkan tekad mereka di hadapan umum: jika terbukti benar bahawa Śikhaṇḍin sebenarnya bukan putera tetapi puteri, maka mereka akan menangkap pemerintah Pāñcāla, membawanya pulang sebagai tawanan, menabalkan raja lain atas negeri Pāñcāla, dan membunuh Drupada bersama Śikhaṇḍin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.
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.