Critical Edition
भीष्म उवाच शिखण्डिवाक्यं श्रुत्वाथ स यक्षो भरतर्षभ प्रोवाच मनसा चिन्त्य दैवेनोपनिपीडितः भवितव्यं तथा तद्धि मम दुःखाय कौरव
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said At length the Yaksha, hearing the words of Shikhandin, said, afflicted by destiny, after considering in his mind,
भद्रे कामं करिष्यामि समयं तु निबोध मे किंचित्कालान्तरं दास्ये पुंलिङ्गं स्वमिदं तव आगन्तव्यं त्वया काले सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते
AI Translation: O good one, I shall do what you desire, but listen to my condition. I shall give you this female form of mine for some time. You must come back at the appointed time. I am telling you the truth.
Supplementary Passages:
5.193.2 After 2ab, D3.4.8 S ins.: *588 स्वं ते पुंस्त्वं प्रदास्यामि स्त्रीत्वं धारयितास्मि ते
प्रभुः संकल्पसिद्धोऽस्मि कामरूपी विहंगमः मत्प्रसादात्पुरं चैव त्राहि बन्धूंश्च केवलान्
M. N. Dutt: Master as I am, I have the power to do whatever I wish; I can range in the sky for I can roam about freely according to my will. Through my grace, save your city and your friends completely.
स्त्रीलिङ्गं धारयिष्यामि त्वदीयं पार्थिवात्मजे सत्यं मे प्रतिजानीहि करिष्यामि प्रियं तव
M. N. Dutt: I will take on myself this your maidenhood, O daughter of a king. Pledge yourself to me (as to the condition) and I will do what is dear to you.
शिखण्ड्युवाच प्रतिदास्यामि भगवँल्लिङ्गं पुनरिदं तव किंचित्कालान्तरं स्त्रीत्वं धारयस्व निशाचर
M. N. Dutt: Shikhandin said O you of good vows, I will return to you your manhood, O God. Only for a certain period bear by womanhood, O night ranger.
प्रतिप्रयाते दाशार्णे पार्थिवे हेमवर्मणि कन्यैवाहं भविष्यामि पुरुषस्त्वं भविष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: On the departure of the Dashara king, who is known as the golden-armoured heroes, I will become a woman, and you will become a man.
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्त्वा समयं तत्र चक्राते तावुभौ नृप अन्योन्यस्यानभिद्रोहे तौ संक्रामयतां ततः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Having spoken thus, they two made an agreement O king, and they transferred to each other their (respective) sexes.
स्त्रीलिङ्गं धारयामास स्थूणो यक्षो नराधिप यक्षरूपं च तद्दीप्तं शिखण्डी प्रत्यपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha Sthuna took upon himself (her) maidenhood, O Bharata, and Shikhandin obtained the blazing form of the Yaksha.
ततः शिखण्डी पाञ्चाल्यः पुंस्त्वमासाद्य पार्थिव विवेश नगरं हृष्टः पितरं च समासदत् यथावृत्तं तु तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ द्रुपदस्य च
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Shikhandin, the Panchalya, having obtained manhood, O king, entered the city and went to his father with great joy.
Supplementary Passages:
5.193.9 After 9, S ins.: *589 मातुश्च रहिते राजन्प्रसादं यक्षजं तथा
द्रुपदस्तस्य तच्छ्रुत्वा हर्षमाहारयत्परम् सभार्यस्तच्च सस्मार महेश्वरवचस्तदा
AI Translation: Drupada, hearing that, was filled with great joy. With his wife, he remembered the words of Mahesvara at that time.
ततः संप्रेषयामास दशार्णाधिपतेर्नृप पुरुषोऽयं मम सुतः श्रद्धत्तां मे भवानिति
AI Translation: Then he sent a man to the king of Dasharna, saying, "This man is my son. Please have faith in me."
अथ दाशार्णको राजा सहसाभ्यागमत्तदा पाञ्चालराजं द्रुपदं दुःखामर्षसमन्वितः
AI Translation: Then King Dasharna suddenly came there, along with the King of Panchala, Drupada, filled with sorrow and anger.
ततः काम्पिल्यमासाद्य दशार्णाधिपतिस्तदा प्रेषयामास सत्कृत्य दूतं ब्रह्मविदां वरम्
AI Translation: Then, having reached Kāmpilya, the lord of Daśārṇa sent a messenger with great respect to the best of those who know Brahman.
ब्रूहि मद्वचनाद्दूत पाञ्चाल्यं तं नृपाधमम् यद्वै कन्यां स्वकन्यार्थे वृतवानसि दुर्मते फलं तस्यावलेपस्य द्रक्ष्यस्यद्य न संशयः
M. N. Dutt: That as you selected my daughter for your daughter, O wicked one, so you will see the fruit of that insult very soon, no doubt,
एवमुक्तस्तु तेनासौ ब्राह्मणो राजसत्तम दूतः प्रयातो नगरं दाशार्णनृपचोदितः
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed, that Brahmana messenger, dispatched by that Dasharna king, traveled towards the city, O best of kings.
तत आसादयामास पुरोधा द्रुपदं पुरे तस्मै पाञ्चालको राजा गामर्घ्यं च सुसत्कृतम् प्रापयामास राजेन्द्र सह तेन शिखण्डिना
M. N. Dutt: That priest then arrived at the city of Drupada. And to him, the Panchala king paid all homage by offering a cow and the Arghya (a mixture of honey, milk &c paid as a homage on one's arrival at a house).
तां पूजां नाभ्यनन्दत्स वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह यदुक्तं तेन वीरेण राज्ञा काञ्चनवर्मणा
AI Translation: He did not accept that worship and spoke these words: What was said by that brave King Kanchana Varman,
यत्तेऽहमधमाचार दुहित्रर्थेऽस्मि वञ्चितः तस्य पापस्य करणात्फलं प्राप्नुहि दुर्मते
AI Translation: O you of evil conduct, I have been deceived for the sake of your daughter. O evil-minded one, receive the fruit of that sin.
देहि युद्धं नरपते ममाद्य रणमूर्धनि उद्धरिष्यामि ते सद्यः सामात्यसुतबान्धवम्
AI Translation: Give me battle today, O king, on the field of battle. I shall quickly deliver you, together with your ministers, sons, and relatives.
तदुपालम्भसंयुक्तं श्रावितः किल पार्थिवः दशार्णपतिदूतेन मन्त्रिमध्ये पुरोधसा
AI Translation: The king was informed by the messenger of the lord of Dasharna, who was accompanied by Upalambha, in the midst of the ministers and the priest.
अब्रवीद्भरतश्रेष्ठ द्रुपदः प्रणयानतः यदाह मां भवान्ब्रह्मन्संबन्धिवचनाद्वचः तस्योत्तरं प्रतिवचो दूत एव वदिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: What you have spoken, O Brahmana, according to the words of my kinsman (son's father-in-law) receive its reply, my messenger will give the answer to the king.
ततः संप्रेषयामास द्रुपदोऽपि महात्मने हिरण्यवर्मणे दूतं ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम्
M. N. Dutt: King Drupada then despatched a Brahmana messenger, versed in all the Vedas to the high-souled golden armored one.
समागम्य तु राज्ञा स दशार्णपतिना तदा तद्वाक्यमाददे राजन्यदुक्तं द्रुपदेन ह
M. N. Dutt: Approaching the king, viz., the lord of the Dasharna land he gave the reply, O king, as it had been spoken, O king, by Drupada.
आगमः क्रियतां व्यक्तं कुमारो वै सुतो मम मिथ्यैतदुक्तं केनापि तन्न श्रद्धेयमित्युत
M. N. Dutt: Make an enquiry and let this be made clear that this prince, is my son. You have been misinformation by some body; but this is surely unworthy of belief
ततः स राजा द्रुपदस्य श्रुत्वा; विमर्शयुक्तो युवतीर्वरिष्ठाः संप्रेषयामास सुचारुरूपाः; शिखण्डिनं स्त्री पुमान्वेति वेत्तुम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon that king, hearing (the words) of the Drupada, became dejected, and sent some choice, youthful ladies of great beauty to Shikhandin to ascertain whether he was a man or a woman.
ताः प्रेषितास्तत्त्वभावं विदित्वा; प्रीत्या राज्ञे तच्छशंसुर्हि सर्वम् शिखण्डिनं पुरुषं कौरवेन्द्र; दशार्णराजाय महानुभावम्
M. N. Dutt: Those ladies, who had been despatched, having learnt the truth, praised all about Shikhandin who was a man of great strength, O best of Kuru's race, to the king of the Dasharna country.
ततः कृत्वा तु राजा स आगमं प्रीतिमानथ संबन्धिना समागम्य हृष्टो वासमुवास ह
M. N. Dutt: Having made this test, the king gladdened at heart, going up to his kinsman (his daughter's father-in-law) lived with him (some time) with gladness.
शिखण्डिने च मुदितः प्रादाद्वित्तं जनेश्वरः हस्तिनोऽश्वांश्च गाश्चैव दास्यो बहुशतास्तथा पूजितश्च प्रतिययौ निवर्त्य तनयां किल
M. N. Dutt: And that lord of men gave away with joy to Shikhandin great wealth, and elephants, horses and cattle and slaves also in large numbers.
विनीतकिल्बिषे प्रीते हेमवर्मणि पार्थिवे प्रतियाते तु दाशार्णे हृष्टरूपा शिखण्डिनी
AI Translation: When the king Hemavarman was pleased, his sins gone, and the Dasharna king had departed, the delighted Shikhandi
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य कुबेरो नरवाहनः लोकानुयात्रां कुर्वाणः स्थूणस्यागान्निवेशनम्
M. N. Dutt: Had made his departure, Shikhandin was filled with joy for some time. After the lapse of a certain period, Kubera, who had been for his bearers, making a journey through the earth, came to the abode of Sthuna.
स तद्गृहस्योपरि वर्तमान; आलोकयामास धनाधिगोप्ता स्थूणस्य यक्षस्य निशाम्य वेश्म; स्वलंकृतं माल्यगुणैर्विचित्रम्
M. N. Dutt: Moving to and fro over his abode, the protector of all wealth observed that the mansion of the Yaksha Sthuna was beautifully adorned with devise sorts of garlands;
लाजैश्च गन्धैश्च तथा वितानै;रभ्यर्चितं धूपनधूपितं च ध्वजैः पताकाभिरलंकृतं च; भक्ष्यान्नपेयामिषदत्तहोमम्
M. N. Dutt: And with fragrant roots (of plants) and scented with the smoke of sweet incense, and ornamented with banners and well supplied with food and drink.
तत्स्थानं तस्य दृष्ट्वा तु सर्वतः समलंकृतम् अथाब्रवीद्यक्षपतिस्तान्यक्षाननुगांस्तदा
AI Translation: Having seen that place of his, adorned all around, Then the lord of the yakshas said to those yakshas who were followers,
Supplementary Passages:
5.193.33 After 33ab, N ins.: *590 मणिरत्नसुवर्णानां मालाभिः परिपूरितम् नानाकुसुमगन्धाढ्यं सिक्तसंमृष्टशोभितम्
स्वलंकृतमिदं वेश्म स्थूणस्यामितविक्रमाः नोपसर्पति मां चापि कस्मादद्य सुमन्दधीः
M. N. Dutt: This mansion of Sthuna is well-adorned, O you (followers) of immeasurable powers. Why does not this fool, however, approach me?
यस्माज्जानन्सुमन्दात्मा मामसौ नोपसर्पति तस्मात्तस्मै महादण्डो धार्यः स्यादिति मे मतिः
M. N. Dutt: As this fool does not approach me, though knowing (that I am here), therefore he should be inflicted on a severe punishment. This is what I think.
यक्षा ऊचुः द्रुपदस्य सुता राजन्राज्ञो जाता शिखण्डिनी तस्यै निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चित्प्रादात्पुरुषलक्षणम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yakshas said Oking, a daughter was born to king Drupada, by name Shikhandin. For her sake, on some account, he has given away his manhood.
अग्रहील्लक्षणं स्त्रीणां स्त्रीभूतस्तिष्ठते गृहे नोपसर्पति तेनासौ सव्रीडः स्त्रीस्वरूपवान्
M. N. Dutt: Having taken her womanhood (on himself) he remains in this abode, being a woman. He does not approach (you), bashful on account of her holding the form of a woman.
एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजन्स्थूणो न त्वाद्य पश्यति श्रुत्वा कुरु यथान्यायं विमानमिह तिष्ठताम्
M. N. Dutt: It is for this reason, O king, that Sthuna does not approach you today. Having (now) heard (this) do as it seems proper. “Let the car be stopped here."
भीष्म उवाच आनीयतां स्थूण इति ततो यक्षाधिपोऽब्रवीत् कर्तास्मि निग्रहं तस्येत्युवाच स पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: "Let Sthuna be brought, I shall inflict punishment on him." Said thus the lord of the Yakshas again and again.
सोऽभ्यगच्छत यक्षेन्द्रमाहूतः पृथिवीपते स्त्रीस्वरूपो महाराज तस्थौ व्रीडासमन्वितः
M. N. Dutt: Being summoned, O lord of the earth, he came before the king of the Yakshas; and O great king, having the form of a female, he stood bashfully.
तं शशाप सुसंक्रुद्धो धनदः कुरुनन्दन एवमेव भवत्वस्य स्त्रीत्वं पापस्य गुह्यकाः
M. N. Dutt: Then the giver of wealth crushed him in his anger, O descendant of Kuru's race, “even never thus let the womanhood of this sinful one remain, O Guhyakas!"
ततोऽब्रवीद्यक्षपतिर्महात्मा; यस्माददास्त्ववमन्येह यक्षान् शिखण्डिने लक्षणं पापबुद्धे; स्त्रीलक्षणं चाग्रहीः पापकर्मन्
M. N. Dutt: And then that high-souled lord of Yakshas (again) said, “As you have humiliated all Yakshas by giving away your own sex of Shikhandin, O you of sinful understanding and by taking her female sex, O you of sinful deeds,"
अप्रवृत्तं सुदुर्बुद्धे यस्मादेतत्कृतं त्वया तस्मादद्य प्रभृत्येव त्वं स्त्री स पुरुषस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: As you have perpetrated this, you of evil understanding, which had been attempted by any one (before this), so from this day forth you shall remain a woman, and she a man.
ततः प्रसादयामासुर्यक्षा वैश्रवणं किल स्थूणस्यार्थे कुरुष्वान्तं शापस्येति पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: The Yakshas then began to appease (the anger of) Vaishravana, for the sake of Sthuna Karna, (saying) "set a limit to your course" again and again.
ततो महात्मा यक्षेन्द्रः प्रत्युवाचानुगामिनः सर्वान्यक्षगणांस्तात शापस्यान्तचिकीर्षया
M. N. Dutt: Then that high-souled lord of the Yakshas, o son, answered his followers, all those Yakshas, with the desire of setting a limit to (his) curse.
हते शिखण्डिनि रणे स्वरूपं प्रतिपत्स्यते स्थूणो यक्षो निरुद्वेगो भवत्विति महामनाः
M. N. Dutt: On the death of Shikhandin 0 you Yakshas of high minds, he shall regain his own form. Therefore let the Yaksha Sthuna be free from anxiety.
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवो यक्षराक्षसपूजितः प्रययौ सह तैः सर्वैर्निमेषान्तरचारिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Having thus spoken, that mighty god, king of the Yakshas, departed well honored, with all those followers, who traveled (a great distance) in a moment.
स्थूणस्तु शापं संप्राप्य तत्रैव न्यवसत्तदा समये चागमत्तं वै शिखण्डी स क्षपाचरम्
M. N. Dutt: Sthuna, having received this curse, he stayed there. In due time Shikhandin came to that Rakshasa.
सोऽभिगम्याब्रवीद्वाक्यं प्राप्तोऽस्मि भगवन्निति तमब्रवीत्ततः स्थूणः प्रीतोऽस्मीति पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Approaching him, he said these words” I am come to you) O god. “Thereupon Sthuna said to him again and again, I am pleased (with you).”
आर्जवेनागतं दृष्ट्वा राजपुत्रं शिखण्डिनम् सर्वमेव यथावृत्तमाचचक्षे शिखण्डिने
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that prince Shikhandin come to him without guile, he related to Shikhandin everything as it had happened.
यक्ष उवाच शप्तो वैश्रवणेनास्मि त्वत्कृते पार्थिवात्मज गच्छेदानीं यथाकामं चर लोकान्यथासुखम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said It is not your fault, O princess, that I have (thus) been crushed by Vaishravana (but of my own destiny). Depart now according to your pleasure, and live with all happiness on this earth.
दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् गमनं तव चेतो हि पौलस्त्यस्य च दर्शनम्
M. N. Dutt: It is my belief that it was ordained before hand, and is incapable of being altered, viz., his coming here and my seeing Paulastya (the god of wealth).
भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्तः शिखण्डी तु स्थूणयक्षेण भारत प्रत्याजगाम नगरं हर्षेण महतान्वितः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Thus addressed by the Yaksha Sthuna o Bharata, Shikhandin went back to the city filled with great joy.
पूजयामास विविधैर्गन्धमाल्यैर्महाधनैः द्विजातीन्देवताश्चापि चैत्यानथ चतुष्पथान्
M. N. Dutt: he And worshipped with great sumptuousness and with scents and garlands of all sorts, all those of the twice-born, and the gods and the (sacred) trees and cross-ways.
द्रुपदः सह पुत्रेण सिद्धार्थेन शिखण्डिना मुदं च परमां लेभे पाञ्चाल्यः सह बान्धवैः
M. N. Dutt: And Drupada, the king of Panchalas, became exceedingly joyful, with his son Shikhandin who had obtained his desire and as well as with his friends.
शिष्यार्थं प्रददौ चापि द्रोणाय कुरुपुंगव शिखण्डिनं महाराज पुत्रं स्त्रीपूर्विणं तथा
M. N. Dutt: And then he gave away to Drona as a disciple, O best of the race, his son Shikhandin, who had been before (this) a daughter, O king.
प्रतिपेदे चतुष्पादं धनुर्वेदं नृपात्मजः शिखण्डी सह युष्माभिर्धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः
M. N. Dutt: And the king's son, Shikhandin, obtained (the knowledge) of the science of arms with its four divisions (receiving, holding, using, and baffling weapons), as also yourselves and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race.
मम त्वेतच्चरास्तात यथावत्प्रत्यवेदयन् जडान्धबधिराकारा ये युक्ता द्रुपदे मया
M. N. Dutt: To me however, my spies who had been set on Drupada by me, (in the guise of) being idiots, who were blind and deaf, related all things as they happened, O son.
एवमेष महाराज स्त्रीपुमान्द्रुपदात्मजः संभूतः कौरवश्रेष्ठ शिखण्डी रथसत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: In this way it is, O great king, that the son of Drupada is both a man and woman, and he was born as Shikhandin, O best of Kurus, and as the best of car-warriors.
ज्येष्ठा काशिपतेः कन्या अम्बा नामेति विश्रुता द्रुपदस्य कुले जाता शिखण्डी भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: (Thus it happened), 0 best among Bharata's race, that the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi, known by the name of Amba, is born in the family of Drupada as Shikhandin.
नाहमेनं धनुष्पाणिं युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् मुहूर्तमपि पश्येयं प्रहरेयं न चाप्युत
M. N. Dutt: I will not look for a single moment nor even strike, though appearing before me with his bow in his hand with the desire of
व्रतमेतन्मम सदा पृथिव्यामपि विश्रुतम् स्त्रियां स्त्रीपूर्वके चापि स्त्रीनाम्नि स्त्रीस्वरूपिणि
M. N. Dutt: This is the vow which I have taken for all time, and it is known to all the earth, that on women, or on those who had been women before, on those whose names were those of women, or even those whose appearance resembles that of a woman,
न मुञ्चेयमहं बाणानिति कौरवनन्दन न हन्यामहमेतेन कारणेन शिखण्डिनम्
M. N. Dutt: I will not let go my weapons, O son of Kuru's race, I will not, for this reason, slay this Shikhandin.
एतत्तत्त्वमहं वेद जन्म तात शिखण्डिनः ततो नैनं हनिष्यामि समरेष्वाततायिनम्
M. N. Dutt: I know this truth about the birth of Shikhandin, O son, and therefore I will not slay him in any battle, through with weapon in his hand.
यदि भीष्मः स्त्रियं हन्याद्धन्यादात्मानमप्युत नैनं तस्माद्धनिष्यामि दृष्ट्वापि समरे स्थितम्
M. N. Dutt: If Bhishma slays a woman, all rightminded men will censure him and therefore I will not slay him, even if I see him standing on the battle field.
संजय उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु कौरव्यो राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा मुहूर्तमिव स ध्यात्वा भीष्मे युक्तममन्यत
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said On hearing this, king Duryodhana, a descendant of Kuru's race, having reflected for a moment, considered this to be fitting in Bhishma.