Shloka 18
Bhīṣma’s Fall, the Arrow-bed (śara-talpa), and the Establishment of Guard
अब्रवीच्च पुरा भीष्मो नाहं हन्यां शिखण्डिनम् । स्त्री होषा विहिता धात्रा दैवाच्च स पुनः पुमान्
abravīc ca purā bhīṣmo nāhaṁ hanyāṁ śikhaṇḍinam | strī hy eṣā vihitā dhātrā daivāc ca sa punaḥ pumān ||
三阇耶说道：“毗湿摩早已宣言：‘我不会击杀尸建陀因。造物主曾令此人生为女子；后来不过因命运的转折，才又成了男子。’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, dharma can impose limits: Bhīṣma upholds a vow not to attack one born female, showing that personal ethical commitments and notions of righteous conduct can restrain violence despite strategic disadvantage.
Sañjaya explains to Dhṛtarāṣṭra why Bhīṣma will not fight Śikhaṇḍin: Bhīṣma had earlier announced he would not kill him because Śikhaṇḍin was originally ordained as a woman, though later—by fate—he became a man.