Shloka 11
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Remorse and Vyāsa’s Teaching on Impermanence (Śoka-nivāraṇa)
स्वयं मृत्युं रक्षमाण: पाञ्चाल्यं यः शिखण्डिनम् । न बाणै: पातयामास सोअ3र्जुनेन निपातित:
svayaṃ mṛtyuṃ rakṣamāṇaḥ pāñcālyaṃ yaḥ śikhaṇḍinam | na bāṇaiḥ pātayāmāsa so 'rjunena nipātitaḥ ||
யுதிஷ்டிரன் கூறினான்—மரணத்தையே காக்கிறவன் போலப் பாஞ்சால இளவரசன் சிகண்டியைப் பாதுகாத்து, அவனை அம்புகளால் வீழ்த்தாத அந்தப் பிதாமகரே அர்ஜுனனால் வீழ்த்தப்பட்டார்।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal vows and battlefield duty: Bhīṣma’s refusal to strike Śikhaṇḍin (due to his principles and prior knowledge of Śikhaṇḍin’s identity/history) becomes the very condition that enables his fall, showing how dharma-based restraint can shape outcomes even in war.
Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the moment Bhīṣma, treating Śikhaṇḍin as untouchable, protects him and does not shoot him; using Śikhaṇḍin as a screen, Arjuna then shoots Bhīṣma and brings him down.