Shloka 7
Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त
तत्र वै निश्चितं तेषाम भूद् राज्ञां महात्मनाम् | तथ्यं भवति चेदेतत् कन्या राजन् शिखण्डिनी,वहाँ महामना मित्र राजाओंका यह निश्चय घोषित हुआ कि राजन! यदि यह सत्य सिद्ध हुआ कि शिखण्डी वास्तवमें पुत्र नहीं कन्या है, तब हमलोग पांचालराजको कैद करके अपने घरको ले आयेंगे और पांचालदेशके राज्यपर दूसरे किसी राजाको बिठाकर शिखण्डीसहित द्रुपदको मरवा डालेंगे
tatra vai niścitaṃ teṣāṃ bhūd rājñāṃ mahātmanām | tathyaṃ bhavati ced etat kanyā rājan śikhaṇḍinī ||
Disse Bhīṣma: “Ali, entre aqueles reis de grande alma, formou-se uma resolução firme: ‘Ó Rei, se isto for de fato provado — que Śikhaṇḍinī é realmente uma donzela (e não um filho) — então tomaremos o rei de Pāñcāla, traze-lo-emos sob nosso poder, instalaremos outro soberano sobre Pāñcāla e daremos morte a Drupada juntamente com Śikhaṇḍī.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political alliances can frame ‘truth’ as a pretext for coercive action. It raises ethical tension between proclaimed righteousness and expedient violence—showing how dharma becomes contested when honor, suspicion, and power dominate decision-making.
Bhishma reports a collective decision among certain kings: if it is verified that Shikhandini is actually a maiden, they will act against Panchala—capturing its king, replacing the ruler, and killing Drupada together with Shikhandini.