Shloka 20
Śikhaṇḍī-janma-nigūḍha-vṛtta (The concealed birth-account of Śikhaṇḍī) | शिखण्डी-जन्म-निगूढ-वृत्त
शिखण्डिनि च मा भैस्त्वं विधास्ये तत्र तत्त्वतः । कृपयाहं वरारोहे वज्चित: पुत्रधर्मत:
śikhaṇḍini ca mā bhaistvaṃ vidhāsye tatra tattvataḥ | kṛpayāhaṃ varārohe vañcitaḥ putradharmataḥ ||
“At tungkol kay Śikhaṇḍinī, huwag kang matakot. Doon ay kikilos ako nang may ganap na pag-unawa sa katotohanan. O babaeng may marikit na balakang, dahil sa habag ay napilitan ako—oo, waring nadaya—ng dharma ng tungkulin sa isang anak na lalaki.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: compassion and filial obligation can compel one into difficult choices, yet one should still strive to act ‘tattvataḥ’—with clear discernment of truth and right conduct.
Bhīṣma reassures the addressed woman not to fear concerning Śikhaṇḍinī, promising to handle the matter properly, while admitting that compassion and the duty connected with a son have placed him in a constrained or deceived position.