Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, 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 |
毗湿摩波罗衍那说道：“那位大心之英雄，昔日在俱卢之野的战斗中几乎不费力便令阇摩达伽尼之子帕罗修罗摩受挫；而今却被尸建陀因所杀。唉，此事何其悲痛！”
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.