Shloka 41
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
अग्रहील्लक्षणं स्त्रीणां स्त्रीभूतो तिछ्ठते गृहे । नोपसर्पति तेनासौ सव्रीड: स्त्रीसरूपवान्
agrahīl lakṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ strī-bhūto tiṣṭhate gṛhe | nopasarpati tenāsau savrīḍaḥ strī-sarūpavān ||
ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ— “ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਲੱਛਣ ਧਾਰ ਲਏ ਹਨ; ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ-ਸਰੂਪ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਲੱਜਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ, ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਵਰਗਾ ਰੂਪ ਧਾਰ ਕੇ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma frames withdrawal from public duty as a moral and social failing: adopting a domestic, feminized role is presented as a sign of shame and loss of honor, implying that one should face responsibilities openly rather than retreating out of embarrassment.
In Bhīṣma’s speech during the Udyoga Parva, he characterizes a certain person as having taken on ‘women’s marks’ and staying inside the home; because of this state and shame, the person does not come forward or engage in the expected public sphere of action.