Shloka 286
पीडितो नातियत्नेन स हतो5द्य शिखण्डिना । “जिस महामना वीरने जमदग्निनन्दन परशुरामको कुरक्षेत्रके युद्धमोें अनायास ही पीड़ित कर दिया था, वही शिखण्डीके हाथसे मारा गया, यह कितने दुःखकी बात है!
pīḍito nātiyatnena sa hato 'dya śikhaṇḍinā |
वैशम्पायन उवाच— पीडितो नातियत्नेन योऽसौ जमदग्निनन्दनः परशुरामः कुरुक्षेत्रे, स एव महात्मा निहतोऽद्य शिखण्डिना—हा कियदिदं दुःखम्!
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the tragic reversals of war and destiny: even one who once overcame a mighty warrior with ease can later fall to another. It invites reflection on impermanence of prowess, the workings of karma, and the sorrow that accompanies violent outcomes.
Vaiśampāyana comments sorrowfully that the same person who had earlier troubled Paraśurāma with little effort has now been killed by Śikhaṇḍin, marking a poignant turn in the unfolding account.