Shloka 1
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
अप ह< बक। है २ 2 द्विनवत्याधिकशततमो< ध्याय: शिखण्डीको पुरुषत्वकी प्राप्ति, द्रपद और हिरण्यवर्माकी प्रसन्नता, स्थूणाकर्णको कुबेरका शाप तथा भीष्मका शिखण्डीको न मारनेका निश्चय भीष्म उवाच शिखण्डिवाक्यं श्रुत्वाथ स यक्षो भरतर्षभ | प्रोवाच मनसा चिन्त्य दैवेनोपनिपीडित:
bhīṣma uvāca
śikhaṇḍivākyaṃ śrutvātha sa yakṣo bharatarṣabha |
provāca manasā cintya daivenopanipīḍitaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Setelah mendengar kata-kata Śikhaṇḍī, Yakṣa itu—wahai yang terunggul dalam keturunan Bharata—merenung dalam hati, lalu berkata, seakan-akan ditekan dan dipaksa oleh kuasa takdir (daiva).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahabharata’s recurring ethical insight that human decisions often unfold under the pressure of daiva (destiny or larger cosmic causality). Reflection (cintā) remains important, yet outcomes may be constrained by forces beyond individual preference—inviting humility and careful discernment in moral action.
Bhishma narrates that a Yaksha, after hearing Shikhandi’s request or statement, pauses to think and then replies. The description ‘pressed by fate’ foreshadows that the Yaksha’s response will be shaped by an unavoidable chain of events connected with Shikhandi’s acquisition of manhood and the later consequences for Bhishma in the war.