Shloka 38
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
कन्या भूत्वा पुमाउ्जात: स च मां योधयिष्यति । तस्याहं प्रमुखे बाणान् न मुज्चेयं कथंचन
kanyā bhūtvā pumān jātaḥ sa ca māṃ yodhayīṣyati | tasyāhaṃ pramukhe bāṇān na muñceyaṃ kathaṃcana |
桑阇耶说道：“他本为少女而生，如今已成男身，将来与我交战。然而纵使他正面立于我前，我也绝不会向他放出一箭。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, dharma can impose restraints: Bhīṣma’s ethical vow prevents him from attacking Śikhaṇḍī, whom he regards as having been born female, showing how personal vows and notions of righteous combat shape battlefield conduct.
Sañjaya reports Bhīṣma’s stance regarding Śikhaṇḍī: though Śikhaṇḍī (born as a girl, later male) may confront him, Bhīṣma declares he will not shoot arrows at him even face-to-face, a decision that becomes strategically crucial in the battle.