Shloka 69
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
यदि भीष्म: स्त्रियं हन्यात् सन्त: कुर्युविगर्हणम् । नैनं तस्माद्धनिष्यामि दृष्टवापि समरे स्थितम्
yadi bhīṣmaḥ striyaṃ hanyāt santaḥ kuryur vigarhaṇam | nainaṃ tasmād haniṣyāmi dṛṣṭvāpi samare sthitam ||
பீஷ்மர் கூறினார்—நான், பீஷ்மன், ஒரு பெண்ணை கொன்றால் சான்றோர் அதை நிந்திப்பார்கள்; ஆகையால் போர்க்களத்தில் அவன் நின்றிருந்தாலும் நான் சிகண்டியை கொல்லமாட்டேன்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames battlefield conduct within dharma: even in war, an act that would be condemned by the virtuous—here, killing one regarded as a woman—must be avoided, because moral legitimacy and honor constrain violence.
Bhishma declares that he will not strike Shikhandi in battle, because Shikhandi is treated as a woman (or formerly a woman), and killing such a person would bring reproach from the righteous; this sets up Shikhandi’s role as a shield against Bhishma.