Shloka 3
अम्बायाः तपोदीक्षा–रुद्रवर–आत्मदाहः
Amba’s Ascetic Vow, Rudra’s Boon, and Self-Immolation
चोदयामास भार्यार्थ कन्याया: पुत्रवत् तदा । ततस्तां पार्षतो दृष्टवा कन्यां सम्प्राप्तयौवनाम् । स्त्रियं मत्वा तततद्रिन्तां प्रपेदे सह भार्यया,राजेन्द्र! धनुर्विद्याके लिये शिखण्डी द्रोणाचार्यका शिष्य हुआ। महाराज! शिखण्डीकी सुन्दरी माताने राजा द्रुपदको प्रेरित किया कि वे उसके पुत्रके लिये बहू ला दें। वह अपनी कन्याका पुत्रके समान ब्याह करना चाहती थी। ट्रुपदने देखा, मेरी बेटी जवान हो गयी तो भी अबतक स्त्री ही बनी हुई है (वरदानके अनुसार पुरुष नहीं हो सकी), इससे पत्नीसहित उनके मनमें बड़ी चिन्ता हुई
codayāmāsa bhāryārthaṁ kanyāyāḥ putravat tadā | tatas tāṁ pārṣato dṛṣṭvā kanyāṁ samprāptayauvanām | striyaṁ matvā tat-tad-cintāṁ prapede saha bhāryayā rājendra |
毗湿摩说道：于是王后催促国王为他们的孩子求娶妻室，把那女儿当作儿子一般对待。其后，德鲁帕达见那少女已至青春之年，却仍旧是女子之身，便与王后一道陷入深沉而反复的忧惧之中，噢，诸王之最胜者。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pressure created when social norms (marriage arrangements and expectations of male heirs) collide with lived reality. It shows how attachment to reputation and dynastic continuity can generate fear and confusion, urging leaders to act—sometimes rashly—rather than respond with clarity and compassion.
Drupada’s wife urges him to arrange a marriage for their child as if the daughter were a son. Drupada then sees that the girl has reached puberty but is still a woman, and he and his wife become deeply worried—setting up the later developments connected with Śikhaṇḍī’s identity and role in the war.