Shloka 22
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)
तत् प्रविश्य शिखण्डी सा द्रुपदस्यात्मजा नृप । अनश्षाना बहुतिथं शरीरमुदशोषयत्
tat praviśya śikhaṇḍī sā drupadasyātmajā nṛpa | anaśnānā bahutithaṁ śarīram udaśoṣayat ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ହେ ନୃପ, ସେଠାକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରି ଦ୍ରୁପଦଙ୍କ ସନ୍ତାନ ଶିଖଣ୍ଡୀ ଅନେକ ଦିନ ଅନ୍ନ ନ ଖାଇ ନିଜ ଶରୀରକୁ କ୍ଷୀଣ କରିଦେଲା।
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.