Shloka 9

Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त

Devanagari script

घातयिष्याम नृपतिं पाउ्चालं सशिखण्डिनम्‌

Transliteration

ghātayiṣyāma nṛpatiṃ pāñcālaṃ saśikhaṇḍinam |

Translation

Bhīṣma disse: “Faremos matar o rei de Pāñcāla — juntamente com Śikhaṇḍin.” Naquela assembleia de aliados de grande ânimo, os reis declararam publicamente sua resolução: se se provasse verdadeiro que Śikhaṇḍin não era de fato um filho, mas uma filha, então capturariam o soberano de Pāñcāla, levá-lo-iam cativo para suas próprias casas, instalariam outro rei sobre o reino de Pāñcāla e matariam Drupada junto com Śikhaṇḍin.

Word by Word

• घातयिष्यामः: we shall cause to be slain / we shall kill
• घातयिष्यामः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: घातय् (णिच् of हन्)
• Form: लृट् (simple future), 1, plural, परस्मैपद

• नृपतिम्: the king
• नृपतिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृपति
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• पाञ्चालम्: the Panchala (king/one of Panchala)
• पाञ्चालम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाञ्चाल
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• सशिखण्डिनम्: together with Shikhandin
• सशिखण्डिनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-शिखण्डिन्
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Drupada
• Śikhaṇḍin
• Pāñcāla (kingdom)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.