Shikhandi

Amba: A Saga of Revenge

Female-to-male gender transformations appear in myths across the globe. My favorite one of them all is probably Shikhandi (शिखण्डी, Śikhaṇḍī), who appears in the Sanskrit epic Mahābhārata. Born female, Shikhandi is the reincarnation of Amba, destined to transform into a man in order to bring about the death of Bhishma. 

Amba was the oldest daughter of the King of Kashi. She, along with her two younger sisters, was won in a contest by Bhishma, who obtained them to marry them to Vichitravirya. However, Amba was secretly in love with the King of Salva, and thus begs Bhishma to allow her to marry him. Bhishma allows this, but Amba is brutally rejected by the King of Salva. Humiliated, Amba retreats to the woods to live out her life as an ascetic. The loss of her marriage symbolizes the loss of Amba's womanhood, and in her grief she blames Bhishma for this loss. Amba's desire for revenge becomes obsessional, with her wanting nothing more than to become a man in order to slay Bhishma. Hearing her prayer, Shiva (महादेवः, Mahadeva) appears before her, promising to grant her Amba's wish in her next life. Overjoyed, Amba immolates herself at once.

Amba reincarnates as Shikhandi, daughter of Drupada, King of the Panchala. Although Drupada desperately wanted a son, Shiva does not allow the child to be born a boy, but ensures that the girl will eventually be transformed into a man. And so, Shikhandi's father raises him as a male, concealing the truth from the world. When he attempts to marry him off to a bride, Shikhandi's sex is exposed, bringing shame upon the family. Shikhandi retreats into the forest, where a yaksha grants his wish to be transformed into a male. Upon doing so, he becomes a powerful warrior and fathers a son, allowing him to carry out his destiny. 

On the battlefield, Bhishma refuses to attack "one that was a woman before" (स्त्रीपूर्वके), and so he is defeated by Arjuna, who rides on a chariot behind Shikhandi. Although he does not immediately die, Bhishma's mangled body is suspended from the ground by a "bed of arrows", and he succumbs to his wounds over the course of many days. As one of the commanders of the Pandavas army, Shikhandi fights several other battles in the Kurushetra war, until he is eventually killed on the 18th day by Ashwatthama. 

Shikhandi seems to be the mythologization of gynephilic FTMs of the Indian subcontinent(Sharma, 2007)(Wijewardene, 2007)(Brown, 1927), bearing similarities to the Greek myth of Iphis. Although he undergoes a transformation from female-to-male, there is still recognition of his natal sex, where Shikhandi is referred to as "one that was a woman before" (स्त्रीपूर्वके) or ones that is both "male and female" (स्त्रीपुंस) throughout the text. There are also similarities between Shikhandi and Caeneus, with both being powerful warriors. Compare the myth of Shikhandi with the following description of a gynephilic FTM named Manel (Wijewardene, 2007):  

On occasions when Manel’s identity card has provided indisputable official evidence of the falsity of his claims to be a man, he has narrated the following story:

"I underwent a physical transformation when I was young. I didn’t have a vagina when I was little, but I used to urinate, although it was not clear from where. Therefore, I was identified as a woman. By age 11, my penis began to grow. My father consulted doctors at length on this. My physical transformation was successful to the extent that it was not possible to tell of the previous state. I began to develop the physical characteristics of a man. However, I still have a slight swelling of the breast, and therefore I am a little feminine in my behavior. Therefore, I can’t undress or bathe with other men."

Said story was merely an invention, as Manel was not intersex. 

Brown (1927) provides another example of an alleged gender transformation, an excerpt from an article titled "The Lushais at Home" which was published May, 1890 in the Pioneer Mail:

"One extraordinary custom among the Lushais which I would not have believed had I not had personal knowledge of the fact is that men and women change their sex in all outward appearances and customs. I give as an instance a woman who has twice accompanied a chief to see me and who is dressed as a man, smokes a man's pipe, goes out hunting with them, lives with them, and has in every way adapted herself to the habits of men. She actually married a young girl, who lived with her for one year. I myself asked in the presence of several chiefs and other Lushais why she had, being a woman, become a man. She at first denied being a woman, but when I suggested that we should change coats she demurred and finally confessed that she was a woman, but that her khua-vang was not good and so she became a man. I have heard of other cases in which men have adopted the dress and customs of women."

It appears that ancient people also believed it was possible for two females to conceive a child (Vanita, 2000). In theory, gynephilic FTMs (female-bodied, male-identified) could have existed in the ancient past, claiming to have been transformed into men. Taking advantage of the lack of scientific knowledge about human biology, they could have even claimed to have fathered children, inspiring myths like Shikhandi.

Adaptations of the Mahābhārata frequently alter the details of Shikhandi. For example, Kapur's (2013) Amba: A Saga of Revenge is engaging and accurate in many respects, but omits the fact that Shikhandini was raised male and sent to marry the daughter of Hiranyavarman. Javanese tradition also reverses Shikhandi's natal sex, in order to make him male-to-female instead. 

Below are some highlights from The Critical Edition of the Mahābhārata as they pertain to Shikhandi's metamorphosis, all copied from mahabharata.shreevatsa.net. The English translation is not perfectly accurate, and contains errors.

Rathi Warrior
This image is sometimes used to depict Shikhandi.

Sanjaya's Description of Shikhandi (Mahābhārata 5.49.31-34)

Shikhandi is mentioned in Sanjaya's speech, who provides a brief synopsis of his past life as Amba and present life as a warrior.

तपश्चचार या घोरं काशिकन्या पुरा सती॥5.49.031a॥

भीष्मस्य वधमिच्छन्ती प्रेत्यापि भरतर्षभ॥5.49.031c॥

She, who, while living of yore as the daughter of the king of Kasi, had practised the austerest penances; she, who, O bull of the Bharata race, desiring even in a subsequent life to compass the destruction of Bhishma,

पाञ्चालस्य सुता जज्ञे दैवाच्च स पुनः पुमान्॥5.49.032a॥

स्त्रीपुंसोः पुरुषव्याघ्र यः स वेद गुणागुणान्॥5.49.032c॥

took her birth as the daughter of Panchala, and accidentally became afterwards a male; who, O tiger among men, is conversant with the merits and demerits of both sexes;

यः कलिङ्गान्समापेदे पाञ्चालो युद्धदुर्मदः॥5.49.033a॥

शिखण्डिना वः कुरवः कृतास्त्रेणाभ्ययुञ्जत॥5.49.033c॥

that invincible prince of the Panchala who encountered the Kalingas in battle, with what Sikhandin skilled in every weapon, will the Pandavas fight against you.

यां यक्षः पुरुषं चक्रे भीष्मस्य निधने किल॥5.49.034a॥

महेष्वासेन रौद्रेण पाण्डवा अभ्ययुञ्जत॥5.49.034c॥

She whom a Yaksha for Bhishma's destruction metamorphosed into a male, with that formidable bowman will the Pandavas fight against you.

Bhishma's Description of Shikhandi (Mahābhārata 5.168)

Bhishma describes Shikhandi as a mighty warrior, "one of the foremost of Yudhisthira's Rathas."

भीष्म उवाच

॥5.168.001॥

पाञ्चालराजस्य सुतो राजन्परपुरंजयः

॥5.168.001a॥

शिखण्डी रथमुख्यो मे मतः पार्थस्य भारत

॥5.168.001c॥

Bhishma said, 'That subjugator of hostile cities, Sikhandin, the son of the king of the Panchalas, is, O king, in my judgment, one of the foremost of Yudhishthira's Rathas. 

एष योत्स्यति संग्रामे नाशयन्पूर्वसंस्थितिम्

॥5.168.002a॥

परं यशो विप्रथयंस्तव सेनासु भारत

॥5.168.002c॥

Having divested himself on his former sex, he will fight in battle and earn great fame, O Bharata, among thy troops! 

एतस्य बहुलाः सेनाः पाञ्चालाश्च प्रभद्रकाः

॥5.168.003a॥

तेनासौ रथवंशेन महत्कर्म करिष्यति

॥5.168.003c॥

He hath a large number of troops,--Panchalas and Prabhadrakas,--to support him. With those hosts of cars he will achieve great feats.

Amba's Desire for Revenge (Mahābhārata 5.188)

Shikhandi's past life as Amba is narrated by Bhishma in the Fifth Book of the Mahābhārata (Udyoga Parva), between Chapters 170 and 188. The final chapter describes Amba's desire to become male in order to carry out revenge against Bhishma, a destiny that is granted to her by Shiva. 

भीष्म उवाच॥5.188.001॥

ततस्ते तापसाः सर्वे तपसे धृतनिश्चयाम्॥5.188.001a॥

दृष्ट्वा न्यवर्तयंस्तात किं कार्यमिति चाब्रुवन्॥5.188.001c॥

Bhishma said, 'Then all those ascetics (that dwell in Vatsabhumi), beholding the princess of Kasi firmly resolved on ascetic austerities, dissuaded her and enquired of her, saying, 'What is thy business?'

तानुवाच ततः कन्या तपोवृद्धानृषींस्तदा॥5.188.002a॥

निराकृतास्मि भीष्मेण भ्रंशिता पतिधर्मतः॥5.188.002c॥

Thus addressed, the maiden answered those ascetics, old in ascetic penances, saying, 'Expelled I have been by Bhishma, prevented by him from the virtue that would have been mine by living with a husband!

वधार्थं तस्य दीक्षा मे न लोकार्थं तपोधनाः॥5.188.003a॥

निहत्य भीष्मं गच्छेयं शान्तिमित्येव निश्चयः॥5.188.003c॥

My observance of this vow is for his destruction and not for the sake of regions of bliss, ye that are endued with wealth of asceticism! Having compassed the death of Bhishma, peace will be mine. Even this is my resolve.

यत्कृते दुःखवसतिमिमां प्राप्तास्मि शाश्वतीम्॥5.188.004a॥

पतिलोकाद्विहीना च नैव स्त्री न पुमानिह॥5.188.004c॥

He for whom mine hath been this state of continuous grief, he for whom I have been deprived of the region that would have been mine if I could obtain a husband, he for whom I have become neither woman nor man,

नाहत्वा युधि गाङ्गेयं निवर्तेयं तपोधनाः॥5.188.005a॥

एष मे हृदि संकल्पो यदर्थमिदमुद्यतम्॥5.188.005c॥

without slaying in battle that son of Ganga I will not desist, ye that are endued with wealth of asceticism. Even this that I have said is the purpose that is in my heart.

स्त्रीभावे परिनिर्विण्णा पुंस्त्वार्थे कृतनिश्चया॥5.188.006a॥

भीष्मे प्रतिचिकीर्षामि नास्मि वार्येति वै पुनः॥5.188.006c॥

As a woman, I have no longer any desire. I am, however, resolved to obtain manhood, for I will be revenged upon Bhishma. I should not, therefore, be dissuaded by you.'

तां देवो दर्शयामास शूलपाणिरुमापतिः॥5.188.007a॥

मध्ये तेषां महर्षीणां स्वेन रूपेण भामिनीम्॥5.188.007c॥

Unto them she said these words repeatedly. Soon, the divine lord of Uma, bearing the trident, showed himself in his own form unto that female ascetic in the midst of those great Rishis. 

छन्द्यमाना वरेणाथ सा वव्रे मत्पराजयम्॥5.188.008a॥

वधिष्यसीति तां देवः प्रत्युवाच मनस्विनीम्॥5.188.008c॥

Being asked to solicit the boon she wished, she begged of the deity my defeat. Thou shalt slay him,--were the words the god said unto that lady of great force of mind.

ततः सा पुनरेवाथ कन्या रुद्रमुवाच ह॥5.188.009a॥

उपपद्येत्कथं देव स्त्रियो मम जयो युधि॥5.188.009c॥

स्त्रीभावेन च मे गाढं मनः शान्तमुमापते॥5.188.009e॥

Thus assured, the maiden, however, once more said unto Rudra, 'How can it happen, O god, that being a woman I shall yet be able to achieve victory in battle. O lord of Uma, as a woman, my heart is quite stilled.

प्रतिश्रुतश्च भूतेश त्वया भीष्मपराजयः॥5.188.010a॥

यथा स सत्यो भवति तथा कुरु वृषध्वज॥5.188.010c॥

यथा हन्यां समागम्य भीष्मं शांतनवं युधि॥5.188.010e॥

Thou hast, however, promised me, O lord of creatures, the defeat of Bhishma. O lord, having the bull for thy mount, act in such a way that promise of thine may become true, that encountering Bhishma, the son of Santanu, in battle I may be able to slay him.'

तामुवाच महादेवः कन्यां किल वृषध्वजः॥5.188.011a॥

न मे वागनृतं भद्रे प्राह सत्यं भविष्यति॥5.188.011c॥

The god of gods, having the bull for his symbol, then said unto that maiden, 'The words I have uttered cannot be false. O blessed lady, true they will be. 

वधिष्यसि रणे भीष्मं पुरुषत्वं च लप्स्यसे॥5.188.012a॥

स्मरिष्यसि च तत्सर्वं देहमन्यं गता सती॥5.188.012c॥

Thou shalt slay Bhishma, and even obtain manhood. Thou shalt also remember all the incidents (of this life) even when thou shalt obtain a new body.

द्रुपदस्य कुले जाता भविष्यसि महारथः॥5.188.013a॥

शीघ्रास्त्रश्चित्रयोधी च भविष्यसि सुसंमतः॥5.188.013c॥

Born in the race of Drupada, thou shalt become a Maharatha. Quick in the use of weapons and a fierce warrior, thou shalt be well-skilled in battle.

यथोक्तमेव कल्याणि सर्वमेतद्भविष्यति॥5.188.014a॥

भविष्यसि पुमान्पश्चात्कस्माच्चित्कालपर्ययात्॥5.188.014c॥

O blessed lady, all that I have said will be true. Thou shalt become a man at the expiration of sometime (from thy birth)!' 

एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः कपर्दी वृषभध्वजः॥5.188.015a॥

पश्यतामेव विप्राणां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत॥5.188.015c॥

Having said so, the god of gods, called also Kapardin, having the bull for his symbol, disappeared then and there, in the very sight of those Brahmanas. 

ततः सा पश्यतां तेषां महर्षीणामनिन्दिता॥5.188.016a॥

समाहृत्य वनात्तस्मात्काष्ठानि वरवर्णिनी॥5.188.016c॥

Upon this, that faultless maiden of the fairest complexion, the eldest daughter of the king of Kasi, procuring wood from that forest in the very sight of those great Rishis,

चितां कृत्वा सुमहतीं प्रदाय च हुताशनम्॥5.188.017a॥

प्रदीप्तेऽग्नौ महाराज रोषदीप्तेन चेतसा॥5.188.017c॥

made a large funeral pyre on the banks of the Yamuna, and having set fire to it herself, entered that blazing fire,

उक्त्वा भीष्मवधायेति प्रविवेश हुताशनम्॥5.188.018a॥

ज्येष्ठा काशिसुता राजन्यमुनामभितो नदीम्॥5.188.018c॥

O great king, with a heart burning with wrath, and uttering, O king, the words,--(I do so) for Bhishma's destruction!'

The Birth of Shikhandi (Mahābhārata 5.189)

Bhishma's narration continues from Chapters 189 to 193 of the Fifth Book of the Mahābhārata (Udyoga Parva). In this chapter, Bhishma describes how Shikhandi was born female but is raised as if male.

दुर्योधन उवाच॥5.189.001॥

कथं शिखण्डी गाङ्गेय कन्या भूत्वा सती तदा॥5.189.001a॥

पुरुषोऽभवद्युधि श्रेष्ठ तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥5.189.001c॥

Duryodhana said, 'Tell me, O grandsire, how Sikhandin, O Ganga's son, having before been born a daughter, afterwards became a man, O foremost of warriors.'

भीष्म उवाच॥5.189.002॥

भार्या तु तस्य राजेन्द्र द्रुपदस्य महीपतेः॥5.189.002a॥

महिषी दयिता ह्यासीदपुत्रा च विशां पते॥5.189.002c॥

Bhishma said, 'O great king, the eldest and beloved queen of king Drupada was, O monarch, childless (at first).

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु द्रुपदो वै महीपतिः॥5.189.003a॥

अपत्यार्थं महाराज तोषयामास शंकरम्॥5.189.003c॥

During those years, king Drupada, O monarch, paid his adoration to the god Sankara for the sake of offspring, 

अस्मद्वधार्थं निश्चित्य तपो घोरं समास्थितः॥5.189.004a॥

लेभे कन्यां महादेवात्पुत्रो मे स्यादिति ब्रुवन्॥5.189.004c॥

resolving in his mind to compass my destruction and practising the austerest of penances. And he begged Mahadeva, saying, 'Let a son, and not a daughter, be born unto me. 

भगवन्पुत्रमिच्छामि भीष्मं प्रतिचिकीर्षया॥5.189.005a॥

इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन स्त्रीपुमांस्ते भविष्यति॥5.189.005c॥

I desire, O god, a son for revenging myself upon Bhishma.' Thereupon, that god of gods said unto him, 'Thou shalt have a child who will be a female and male.

निवर्तस्व महीपाल नैतज्जात्वन्यथा भवेत्॥5.189.006a॥

स तु गत्वा च नगरं भार्यामिदमुवाच ह॥5.189.006c॥

Desist, O king, it will not be otherwise.' Returning then to his capital, he addressed his wife, saying, 

कृतो यत्नो मया देवि पुत्रार्थे तपसा महान्॥5.189.007a॥

कन्या भूत्वा पुमान्भावी इति चोक्तोऽस्मि शंभुना॥5.189.007c॥

'O great goddess, great hath been the exertion made by me. Undergoing ascetic austerities, I paid my adorations to Siva, and I was told by Sambhu that my child becoming a daughter (first) would subsequently become a male person.

पुनः पुनर्याच्यमानो दिष्टमित्यब्रवीच्छिवः॥5.189.008a॥

न तदन्यद्धि भविता भवितव्यं हि तत्तथा॥5.189.008c॥

And though I solicited him repeatedly, yet Siva said,--This is Destiny's decree. It will not be otherwise. That which is destined must take place!'

ततः सा नियता भूत्वा ऋतुकाले मनस्विनी॥5.189.009a॥

पत्नी द्रुपदराजस्य द्रुपदं संविवेश ह॥5.189.009c॥

Then that lady of great energy, the queen of king Drupada, when her season came, observing all the regulations (about purity), approached Drupada.

लेभे गर्भं यथाकालं विधिदृष्टेन हेतुना॥5.189.010a॥

पार्षतात्सा महीपाल यथा मां नारदोऽब्रवीत्॥5.189.010c॥

And in due time the wife of Prishata conceived, agreeably to Destiny's decree, as I was informed, O king, by Narada.

ततो दधार तं गर्भं देवी राजीवलोचना॥5.189.011a॥

तां स राजा प्रियां भार्यां द्रुपदः कुरुनन्दन॥5.189.011c॥

पुत्रस्नेहान्महाबाहुः सुखं पर्यचरत्तदा॥5.189.011e॥

And that lady, of eyes like lotus-petals, continued to hold the embryo in her womb. And, O son of Kuru's race, the mighty-armed king Drupada, from paternal affection, attended to every comfort of that dear wife of his. And, O Kaurava, the wife of that lord of earth, the royal Drupada, who was childless, had all her wishes gratified. 

अपुत्रस्य ततो राज्ञो द्रुपदस्य महीपतेः॥5.189.012a॥

कन्यां प्रवररूपां तां प्राजायत नराधिप॥5.189.012c॥

And in due time, O monarch, that goddess, the queen of Drupada, gave birth to a daughter of great beauty.

अपुत्रस्य तु राज्ञः सा द्रुपदस्य यशस्विनी॥5.189.013a॥

ख्यापयामास राजेन्द्र पुत्रो जातो ममेति वै॥5.189.013c॥

Thereupon, the strong-minded wife of that king, the childless Drupada, gave out, O monarch, that the child she had brought forth was a son.

ततः स राजा द्रुपदः प्रच्छन्नाया नराधिप॥5.189.014a॥

पुत्रवत्पुत्रकार्याणि सर्वाणि समकारयत्॥5.189.014c॥

And then king Drupada, O ruler of men, caused all the rites prescribed for a male child to be performed in respect of that misrepresented daughter, as if she were really a son. 

रक्षणं चैव मन्त्रस्य महिषी द्रुपदस्य सा॥5.189.015a॥

चकार सर्वयत्नेन ब्रुवाणा पुत्र इत्युत॥5.189.015c॥

न हि तां वेद नगरे कश्चिदन्यत्र पार्षतात्॥5.189.015e॥

And saying that the child was a son, Drupada's queen kept her counsels very carefully. And no other man in the city, save Prishata, knew the sex of that child. 

श्रद्दधानो हि तद्वाक्यं देवस्याद्भुततेजसः॥5.189.016a॥

छादयामास तां कन्यां पुमानिति च सोऽब्रवीत्॥5.189.016c॥

Believing these words of that deity of unfading energy, he too concealed the real sex of his child, saying,--She is a son.

जातकर्माणि सर्वाणि कारयामास पार्थिवः॥5.189.017a॥

पुंवद्विधानयुक्तानि शिखण्डीति च तां विदुः॥5.189.017c॥

And, O king, Drupada caused all the rites of infancy, prescribed for a son, to be performed in respect of that child, and he bestowed the name of Sikhandin on her.

अहमेकस्तु चारेण वचनान्नारदस्य च॥5.189.018a॥

ज्ञातवान्देववाक्येन अम्बायास्तपसा तथा॥5.189.018c॥

I alone, through my spies and from Narada's words, knew the truth, informed as I previously was of the words of the god and of the ascetic austerities of Amva!'

Shikhandi's Sex is Discovered (Mahābhārata 5.190)

Bhishma's narration continues, describing how Shikhandi matures into a young woman and is to be wed to the daughter of Hiranyavarman. When Shikhandi's sex is discovered, Hiranyavarman becomes enraged, seeking revenge for the deception.

भीष्म उवाच॥5.190.001॥

चकार यत्नं द्रुपदः सर्वस्मिन्स्वजने महत्॥5.190.001a॥

ततो लेख्यादिषु तथा शिल्पेषु च परं गता॥5.190.001c॥

इष्वस्त्रे चैव राजेन्द्र द्रोणशिष्यो बभूव ह॥5.190.001e॥

Bhishma said, 'Drupada, O chastiser of foes, bestowed great attention on everything in connection with that daughter of his, teaching her writing and painting and all the arts. And in arrows and weapons that child became a disciple of Drona. 

तस्य माता महाराज राजानं वरवर्णिनी॥5.190.002a॥

चोदयामास भार्यार्थं कन्यायाः पुत्रवत्तदा॥5.190.002c॥

And the child's mother, of superior complexion, then urged the king (her husband) to find, O monarch, a wife for her, as if she were a son. 

ततस्तां पार्षतो दृष्ट्वा कन्यां संप्राप्तयौवनाम्॥5.190.003a॥

स्त्रियं मत्वा तदा चिन्तां प्रपेदे सह भार्यया॥5.190.003c॥

Then Prishata, beholding that daughter of his to have attained the full development of youth and assured of her sex began to consult with his queen.

द्रुपद उवाच॥5.190.004॥

कन्या ममेयं संप्राप्ता यौवनं शोकवर्धिनी॥5.190.004a॥

मया प्रच्छादिता चेयं वचनाच्छूलपाणिनः॥5.190.004c॥

And Drupada said, 'This daughter of mine that so enhanceth my woe, hath attained her youth. Concealed, however, she hath hitherto been by me at the words of the trident-bearing deity!'

न तन्मिथ्या महाराज्ञि भविष्यति कथंचन॥5.190.005a॥

त्रैलोक्यकर्ता कस्माद्धि तन्मृषा कर्तुमर्हति॥5.190.005c॥

The queen replied, 'That, O great king, can never be untrue! Why, indeed, would the Lord of the three worlds say that would not occur?

भार्योवाच॥5.190.006॥

यदि ते रोचते राजन्वक्ष्यामि शृणु मे वचः॥5.190.006a॥

श्रुत्वेदानीं प्रपद्येथाः स्वकार्यं पृषतात्मज॥5.190.006c॥

If it pleases thee, O king, I will speak, and listen to my words, and, O son of Prishata's race, having listened to me, follow thy own inclination!

क्रियतामस्य नृपते विधिवद्दारसंग्रहः॥5.190.007a॥

सत्यं भवति तद्वाक्यमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः॥5.190.007c॥

Let the wedding of this child with a wife be caused to be performed carefully. The words of that god will be true. This is my certain belief!'

भीष्म उवाच॥5.190.008॥

ततस्तौ निश्चयं कृत्वा तस्मिन्कार्येऽथ दम्पती॥5.190.008a॥

वरयां चक्रतुः कन्यां दशार्णाधिपतेः सुताम्॥5.190.008c॥

Then that royal couple, having settled their resolution of that affair, chose the daughter of the king of the Dasarnakas as their son's wife.

ततो राजा द्रुपदो राजसिंहः; सर्वान्राज्ञः कुलतः संनिशाम्य॥5.190.009a॥

दाशार्णकस्य नृपतेस्तनूजां; शिखण्डिने वरयामास दारान्॥5.190.009c॥

After this, the royal Drupada, that lion among kings, having enquired about the purity of descent, of all the rulers of the earth, selected the daughter of the king of Dasarnakas for wife to Sikhandin.

हिरण्यवर्मेति नृपो योऽसौ दाशार्णकः स्मृतः॥5.190.010a॥

स च प्रादान्महीपालः कन्यां तस्मै शिखण्डिने॥5.190.010c॥

He, who was called the king of the Dasarnakas was named Hiranyavarman; and he gave away his daughter to Sikhandin.

स च राजा दशार्णेषु महानासीन्महीपतिः॥5.190.011a॥

हिरण्यवर्मा दुर्धर्षो महासेनो महामनाः॥5.190.011c॥

And Hiranyavarman, the king of the Dasarnakas, was a powerful monarch, incapable of being easily vanquished. Incapable of being resisted, that high-souled monarch possessed a large army.

कृते विवाहे तु तदा सा कन्या राजसत्तम॥5.190.012a॥

यौवनं समनुप्राप्ता सा च कन्या शिखण्डिनी॥5.190.012c॥

And sometimes after the wedding, the daughter of Hiranyavarman, O best of monarchs, attained her youth while the daughter of Drupada also had attained hers.

कृतदारः शिखण्डी तु काम्पिल्यं पुनरागमत्॥5.190.013a॥

न च सा वेद तां कन्यां कंचित्कालं स्त्रियं किल॥5.190.013c॥

And Sikhandin, after marriage, came back to Kampilya. And the former soon came to know that the latter was a woman like herself.

हिरण्यवर्मणः कन्या ज्ञात्वा तां तु शिखण्डिनीम्॥5.190.014a॥

धात्रीणां च सखीनां च व्रीडमाना न्यवेदयत्॥5.190.014c॥

कन्यां पाञ्चालराजस्य सुतां तां वै शिखण्डिनीम्॥5.190.014e॥

And the daughter of Hiranyavarman, having ascertained that Sikhandin was really a woman, bashfully represented unto her nurses and companions everything about the so-called son of the king of the Panchalas. 

ततस्ता राजशार्दूल धात्र्यो दाशार्णिकास्तदा॥5.190.015a॥

जग्मुरार्तिं परां दुःखात्प्रेषयामासुरेव च॥5.190.015c॥

Then, O tiger among kings, those nurses of the Dasarnakas country were filled with great grief and sent emissaries unto their king.

ततो दशार्णाधिपतेः प्रेष्याः सर्वं न्यवेदयन्॥5.190.016a॥

विप्रलम्भं यथावृत्तं स च चुक्रोध पार्थिवः॥5.190.016c॥

And those emissaries represented unto the king of the Dasarnakas everything about the imposture that had taken place. And, thereupon, the king of the Dasarnakas was filled with wrath.

शिखण्ड्यपि महाराज पुंवद्राजकुले तदा॥5.190.017a॥

विजहार मुदा युक्तः स्त्रीत्वं नैवातिरोचयन्॥5.190.017c॥

And, O great King, Shikhandin also at that time conducted himself like a male at the royal court with great joy, setting aside as it were his feminine nature.

ततः कतिपयाहस्य तच्छ्रुत्वा भरतर्षभ॥5.190.018a॥

हिरण्यवर्मा राजेन्द्र रोषादार्तिं जगाम ह॥5.190.018c॥

Indeed, O bull of the Bharata race, Hiranyavarman, hearing the news after the expiry of a few days was much afflicted with wrath. 

ततो दाशार्णको राजा तीव्रकोपसमन्वितः॥5.190.019a॥

दूतं प्रस्थापयामास द्रुपदस्य निवेशने॥5.190.019c॥

The ruler of the Dasarnakas then, filled with fierce wrath, sent a messenger to Drupada's abode. 

ततो द्रुपदमासाद्य दूतः काञ्चनवर्मणः॥5.190.020a॥

एक एकान्तमुत्सार्य रहो वचनमब्रवीत्॥5.190.020c॥

And the messenger of king Hiranyavarman, having alone approached Drupada, took him aside and said unto him in private, 

दशार्णराजो राजंस्त्वामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥5.190.021a॥

अभिषङ्गात्प्रकुपितो विप्रलब्धस्त्वयानघ॥5.190.021c॥

'The king of the Dasarnakas, O monarch, deceived by thee and enraged, O sinless one, at the insult thou hast offered him, hath said these words unto thee,--

अवमन्यसे मां नृपते नूनं दुर्मन्त्रितं तव॥5.190.022a॥

यन्मे कन्यां स्वकन्यार्थे मोहाद्याचितवानसि॥5.190.022c॥

Thou hast humiliated me! Without doubt it was not wisely done by thee! Thou hadst, from folly, solicited my daughter for thy daughter! 

तस्याद्य विप्रलम्भस्य फलं प्राप्नुहि दुर्मते॥5.190.023a॥

एष त्वां सजनामात्यमुद्धरामि स्थिरो भव॥5.190.023c॥

O wicked one, reap now the consequence of that act of deception' I will now slay thee with all thy relatives and advisers! Wait a little!'

King Drupada Despairs (Mahābhārata 5.191)

Bhishma's narration continues, describing how Shikhandi and her parents are placed in grave danger by an enraged Hiranyavarman. Lacking in courage, Shikhandi's father despairs, seeking the counsel of his beloved wife.

भीष्म उवाच॥5.191.001॥

एवमुक्तस्य दूतेन द्रुपदस्य तदा नृप॥5.191.001a॥

चोरस्येव गृहीतस्य न प्रावर्तत भारती॥5.191.001c॥

Bhishma said, 'Thus addressed, O king, by that messenger, king Drupada, like a thief caught (in the act), could not speak. 

स यत्नमकरोत्तीव्रं संबन्धैरनुसान्त्वनैः॥5.191.002a॥

दूतैर्मधुरसंभाषैर्नैतदस्तीति संदिशन्॥5.191.002c॥

He exerted himself greatly, by sending sweet-speeched emissaries with his own instruction to them, saying,--This is not so,--in order to pacify his brother.

स राजा भूय एवाथ कृत्वा तत्त्वत आगमम्॥5.191.003a॥

कन्येति पाञ्चालसुतां त्वरमाणोऽभिनिर्ययौ॥5.191.003c॥

King Hiranyavarman, however, ascertaining once again, that the child of the king of the Panchalas was really a daughter, issued out of his city without losing any time.

ततः संप्रेषयामास मित्राणाममितौजसाम्॥5.191.004a॥

दुहितुर्विप्रलम्भं तं धात्रीणां वचनात्तदा॥5.191.004c॥

He then sent messages unto all his powerful friends about that deception practised on his daughter, of which he had heard from her nurses.

ततः समुदयं कृत्वा बलानां राजसत्तमः॥5.191.005a॥

अभियाने मतिं चक्रे द्रुपदं प्रति भारत॥5.191.005c॥

Then, that best of kings, having mustered a large army, resolved, O Bharata, to march against Drupada.

ततः संमन्त्रयामास मित्रैः सह महीपतिः॥5.191.006a॥

हिरण्यवर्मा राजेन्द्र पाञ्चाल्यं पार्थिवं प्रति॥5.191.006c॥

Then, O monarch, king Hiranyavarman held a consultation with his ministers about the ruler of the Panchalas. 

तत्र वै निश्चितं तेषामभूद्राज्ञां महात्मनाम्॥5.191.007a॥

तथ्यं चेद्भवति ह्येतत्कन्या राजञ्शिखण्डिनी॥5.191.007c॥

बद्ध्वा पाञ्चालराजानमानयिष्यामहे गृहान्॥5.191.007e॥

And it was settled among those high-souled kings that if, O monarch, Sikhandin was really a daughter, they should bind the ruler of the Panchalas and drag him from his city, 

अन्यं राजानमाधाय पाञ्चालेषु नरेश्वरम्॥5.191.008a॥

घातयिष्याम नृपतिं द्रुपदं सशिखण्डिनम्॥5.191.008c॥

and installing another king over the Panchalas they should slay Drupada with Sikhandin.

स तदा दूतमाज्ञाय पुनः क्षत्तारमीश्वरः॥5.191.009a॥

प्रास्थापयत्पार्षताय हन्मीति त्वां स्थिरो भव॥5.191.009c॥

Taking that to be the fixed resolution (of all whom he had summoned) king Hiranyavarman once more sent an envoy to the descendant of Prishata, saying 'I will slay thee, be calm.'

स प्रकृत्या च वै भीरुः किल्बिषी च नराधिपः॥5.191.010a॥

भयं तीव्रमनुप्राप्तो द्रुपदः पृथिवीपतिः॥5.191.010c॥

Bhishma continued, 'King Drupada was not naturally courageous. In consequence, again, of that offence of his, he became filled with fear. 

विसृज्य दूतं दाशार्णं द्रुपदः शोककर्शितः॥5.191.011a॥

समेत्य भार्यां रहिते वाक्यमाह नराधिपः॥5.191.011c॥

Sending his envoys again to the ruler of the Dasarnakas, king Drupada, afflicted with grief, approached his wife and took counsel with her. 

भयेन महताविष्टो हृदि शोकेन चाहतः॥5.191.012a॥

पाञ्चालराजो दयितां मातरं वै शिखण्डिनः॥5.191.012c॥

And possessed with great fright and with heart afflicted with grief, the king of the Panchalas said unto his favourite wife, the mother of Sikhandin, these words, 

अभियास्यति मां कोपात्संबन्धी सुमहाबलः॥5.191.013a॥

हिरण्यवर्मा नृपतिः कर्षमाणो वरूथिनीम्॥5.191.013c॥

'My powerful brother, king Hiranyavarman, having mustered a large force, is coming towards me in anger. 

किमिदानीं करिष्यामि मूढः कन्यामिमां प्रति॥5.191.014a॥

शिखण्डी किल पुत्रस्ते कन्येति परिशङ्कितः॥5.191.014c॥

Fools that we both are, what are we now to do in respect of this our daughter? Thy son, Sikhandin, hath been suspected to be a daughter.

इति निश्चित्य तत्त्वेन समित्रः सबलानुगः॥5.191.015a॥

वञ्चितोऽस्मीति मन्वानो मां किलोद्धर्तुमिच्छति॥5.191.015c॥

Under this suspicion, Hiranyavarman with his allies and followed by his army wisheth to slay me thinking that he hath been received by me! 

किमत्र तथ्यं सुश्रोणि किं मिथ्या ब्रूहि शोभने॥5.191.016a॥

श्रुत्वा त्वत्तः शुभे वाक्यं संविधास्याम्यहं तथा॥5.191.016c॥

O thou of beautiful hips, tell us now what is true or false in this, O beautiful lady! O blessed lady, hearing from thee first, I will settle how to act.

अहं हि संशयं प्राप्तो बाला चेयं शिखण्डिनी॥5.191.017a॥

त्वं च राज्ञि महत्कृच्छ्रं संप्राप्ता वरवर्णिनि॥5.191.017c॥

I am very much endangered and this child, Sikhandin, also is equally so. Indeed, O queen, O lady of the fairest complexion, thou too art threatened with danger!

सा त्वं सर्वविमोक्षाय तत्त्वमाख्याहि पृच्छतः॥5.191.018a॥

तथा विदध्यां सुश्रोणि कृत्यस्यास्य शुचिस्मिते॥5.191.018c॥

शिखण्डिनि च मा भैस्त्वं विधास्ये तत्र तत्त्वतः॥5.191.018e॥

For the relief of all, tell me who asketh thee what the truth is! O thou of beautiful hips and sweet smiles, hearing what thou hast to say I shall act suitably. Although I have been deceived by thee as to the duties I owe towards a son, yet, O beautiful lady, from kindness I will act towards you both in a suitable manner. Therefore, do not fear, nor let this daughter of thine fear anything. 

क्रिययाहं वरारोहे वञ्चितः पुत्रधर्मतः॥5.191.019a॥

मया दाशार्णको राजा वञ्चितश्च महीपतिः॥5.191.019c॥

तदाचक्ष्व महाभागे विधास्ये तत्र यद्धितम्॥5.191.019e॥

Indeed, I have deceived the king of the Dasarnakas. Tell me, O highly blessed lady, how may I act towards him so that all may yet turn up well!' 

जानतापि नरेन्द्रेण ख्यापनार्थं परस्य वै॥5.191.020a॥

प्रकाशं चोदिता देवी प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम्॥5.191.020c॥

Indeed, although the king knew everything, yet he addressed his wife in the presence of others in this way, to proclaim his own innocence before others. His queen then answered him in the following words.'

Shikhandi Retreats to the Forest (Mahābhārata 5.192)

Bhishma's narration continues, describing how Shikhandi's grief-stricken parents react to the impending threat of battle. Shikhandi takes responsibility for their plight, retreating to the forest to fast in shame. There, Shikhandi meets a powerful yaksha, who takes pity on him. He asks the yaksha to transform him into a man, in order to save his family. 

भीष्म उवाच॥5.192.001॥

ततः शिखण्डिनो माता यथातत्त्वं नराधिप॥5.192.001a॥

आचचक्षे महाबाहो भर्त्रे कन्यां शिखण्डिनीम्॥5.192.001c॥

Bhishma said. 'Then, O mighty-armed king, Sikhandin's mother represented unto her lord the truth about her daughter, Sikhandin. 

अपुत्रया मया राजन्सपत्नीनां भयादिदम्॥5.192.002a॥

कन्या शिखण्डिनी जाता पुरुषो वै निवेदितः॥5.192.002c॥

And she said, 'Childless, O great king, as I was, from fear of my co-wives, when Sikhandini, my daughter, was born, I represented unto you that it was a son! 

त्वया चैव नरश्रेष्ठ तन्मे प्रीत्यानुमोदितम्॥5.192.003a॥

पुत्रकर्म कृतं चैव कन्यायाः पार्थिवर्षभ॥5.192.003c॥

भार्या चोढा त्वया राजन्दशार्णाधिपतेः सुता॥5.192.003e॥

For thy love of me, thou also hadst corroborated it, and, O bull among kings, thou hadst performed all the rites prescribed for a son in respect of this daughter of mine! Thou then didst marry her, O king, to the daughter of the king of the Dasarnakas.

त्वया च प्रागभिहितं देववाक्यार्थदर्शनात्॥5.192.004a॥

कन्या भूत्वा पुमान्भावीत्येवं चैतदुपेक्षितम्॥5.192.004c॥

I also approved of this act, remembering the words of the (great) god! Indeed, I did not prevent it, remembering the words of Siva,--Born a daughter, she will become a son!' 

एतच्छ्रुत्वा द्रुपदो यज्ञसेनः; सर्वं तत्त्वं मन्त्रविद्भ्यो निवेद्य॥5.192.005a॥

मन्त्रं राजा मन्त्रयामास राज;न्यद्यद्युक्तं रक्षणे वै प्रजानाम्॥5.192.005c॥

Hearing all this, Drupada, otherwise called Yajnasena, informed all his counsellors of these facts. And, O monarch, the king then took counsel with ministers for the proper protection of his subjects (from the would-be invader). 

संबन्धकं चैव समर्थ्य तस्मि;न्दाशार्णके वै नृपतौ नरेन्द्र॥5.192.006a॥

स्वयं कृत्वा विप्रलम्भं यथाव;न्मन्त्रैकाग्रो निश्चयं वै जगाम॥5.192.006c॥

Although he had himself deceived the king of the Dasarnakas, yet giving it out that the alliance he had made was proper, he began to settle his plans with undivided attention.

स्वभावगुप्तं नगरमापत्काले तु भारत॥5.192.007a॥

गोपयामास राजेन्द्र सर्वतः समलंकृतम्॥5.192.007c॥

King Drupada's city was, O Bharata, naturally well-protected. Yet at the advent of danger, O monarch, they began to protect it all the more carefully and fortify it (with defensive works). 

आर्तिं च परमां राजा जगाम सह भार्यया॥5.192.008a॥

दशार्णपतिना सार्धं विरोधे भरतर्षभ॥5.192.008c॥

The king, however, with his queen, was greatly afflicted, thinking of how a war might not take place with his brother. 

कथं संबन्धिना सार्धं न मे स्याद्विग्रहो महान्॥5.192.009a॥

इति संचिन्त्य मनसा दैवतान्यर्चयत्तदा॥5.192.009c॥

Reflecting on this, he began to pay his adorations to the gods.

तं तु दृष्ट्वा तदा राजन्देवी देवपरं तथा॥5.192.010a॥

अर्चां प्रयुञ्जानमथो भार्या वचनमब्रवीत्॥5.192.010c॥

His respected wife, beholding him relying on the god and paying his adorations to them, than addressed him, O king, and said,

देवानां प्रतिपत्तिश्च सत्या साधुमता सदा॥5.192.011a॥

सा तु दुःखार्णवं प्राप्य नः स्यादर्चयतां भृशम्॥5.192.011c॥

'Homage to the gods is productive of benefits! It is, therefore, approved by the righteous. What shall I say, again, of those that are sunk in an ocean of distress?

दैवतानि च सर्वाणि पूज्यन्तां भूरिदक्षिणैः॥5.192.012a॥

अग्नयश्चापि हूयन्तां दाशार्णप्रतिषेधने॥5.192.012c॥

Therefore, pay homage to those that are thy superiors and let all the gods also be worshipped, making large presents the while (unto the Brahmanas)! Let oblations be poured on the fire for pacifying the ruler of the Dasarnakas.

अयुद्धेन निवृत्तिं च मनसा चिन्तयाभिभो॥5.192.013a॥

देवतानां प्रसादेन सर्वमेतद्भविष्यति॥5.192.013c॥

O lord, think of the means by which, without a war, thou mayst be able to pacify thy brother! Through the grace of the gods all this will happen. 

मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रितं सार्धं त्वया यत्पृथुलोचन॥5.192.014a॥

पुरस्यास्याविनाशाय तच्च राजंस्तथा कुरु॥5.192.014c॥

For the preservation of this city, O thou of large eyes, thou hast taken counsel with thy ministers. 

दैवं हि मानुषोपेतं भृशं सिध्यति पार्थिव॥5.192.015a॥

परस्परविरोधात्तु नानयोः सिद्धिरस्ति वै॥5.192.015c॥

Do all, O king, that those counsels seem to indicate, for reliance on the gods, when supported by human exertion, always, O king, leadeth to success, If these two do not go hand-in-hand, success becometh unattainable.

तस्माद्विधाय नगरे विधानं सचिवैः सह॥5.192.016a॥

अर्चयस्व यथाकामं दैवतानि विशां पते॥5.192.016c॥

Therefore, with all thy advisers, make such arrangements in thy city as are proper, and pay homage, O monarch, as thou pleasest, to the gods.' 

एवं संभाषमाणौ तौ दृष्ट्वा शोकपरायणौ॥5.192.017a॥

शिखण्डिनी तदा कन्या व्रीडितेव मनस्विनी॥5.192.017c॥

While husband and wife were conversing with each other thus, both filled with grief, their helpless daughter, Sikhandini, was filled with shame.

ततः सा चिन्तयामास मत्कृते दुःखितावुभौ॥5.192.018a॥

इमाविति ततश्चक्रे मतिं प्राणविनाशने॥5.192.018c॥

She then reflected, saying, 'It is for me that these two are plunged into grief!' Thinking so, she resolved upon putting an end to her own life.

एवं सा निश्चयं कृत्वा भृशं शोकपरायणा॥5.192.019a॥

जगाम भवनं त्यक्त्वा गहनं निर्जनं वनम्॥5.192.019c॥

Having formed this determination, she left home, filled with heavy sorrow, and went into a dense and solitary forest that was

यक्षेणर्द्धिमता राजन्स्थूणाकर्णेन पालितम्॥5.192.020a॥

तद्भयादेव च जनो विसर्जयति तद्वनम्॥5.192.020c॥

the haunt, O king, of a very formidable Yaksha called Sthunakarna. From fear of that Yaksha men never went into that forest.

तत्र स्थूणस्य भवनं सुधामृत्तिकलेपनम्॥5.192.021a॥

लाजोल्लापिकधूमाढ्यमुच्चप्राकारतोरणम्॥5.192.021c॥

And within it stood a mansion with high walls and a gateway, plastered over with powdered earth, and rich with smoke bearing the fragrance of fried paddy.

तत्प्रविश्य शिखण्डी सा द्रुपदस्यात्मजा नृप॥5.192.022a॥

अनश्नती बहुतिथं शरीरमुपशोषयत्॥5.192.022c॥

Entering that mansion, Sikhandini, the daughter of Drupada, O king, began to reduce herself by foregoing all food for many days. 

दर्शयामास तां यक्षः स्थूणो मध्वक्षसंयुतः॥5.192.023a॥

किमर्थोऽयं तवारम्भः करिष्ये ब्रूहि माचिरम्॥5.192.023c॥

Thereupon, the Yaksha named Sthuna, who was endued with kindness, showed himself unto her. And he enquired of her, saying, 'For what object is this endeavour of thine? I will accomplish it, tell me without delay!' 

अशक्यमिति सा यक्षं पुनः पुनरुवाच ह॥5.192.024a॥

करिष्यामीति चैनां स प्रत्युवाचाथ गुह्यकः॥5.192.024c॥

Thus asked, the maiden answered him, repeatedly saying, 'Thou art unable to accomplish it!' The Guhyaka, however, rejoined, without a moment's delay, saying, 'Accomplish it I will! 

धनेश्वरस्यानुचरो वरदोऽस्मि नृपात्मजे॥5.192.025a॥

अदेयमपि दास्यामि ब्रूहि यत्ते विवक्षितम्॥5.192.025c॥

I am a follower of the Lord of treasures, I can, O princess, grant boons! I will grant thee even that which cannot be given! Tell me what thou hast to say!'

ततः शिखण्डी तत्सर्वमखिलेन न्यवेदयत्॥5.192.026a॥

तस्मै यक्षप्रधानाय स्थूणाकर्णाय भारत॥5.192.026c॥

Thus assured, Sikhandini represented in detail everything that had happened, unto that chief of Yakshas called Sthunakarna.

आपन्नो मे पिता यक्ष नचिराद्विनशिष्यति॥5.192.027a॥

अभियास्यति संक्रुद्धो दशार्णाधिपतिर्हि तम्॥5.192.027c॥

And she said, 'My father, O Yaksha, will soon meet with destruction. The ruler of the Dasarnakas marcheth against him in rage.

महाबलो महोत्साहः स हेमकवचो नृपः॥5.192.028a॥

तस्माद्रक्षस्व मां यक्ष पितरं मातरं च मे॥5.192.028c॥

That king eased in golden mail is endued with great might and great courage. Therefore, O Yaksha, save me, my mother, and my father!

प्रतिज्ञातो हि भवता दुःखप्रतिनयो मम॥5.192.029a॥

भवेयं पुरुषो यक्ष त्वत्प्रसादादनिन्दितः॥5.192.029c॥

Indeed, thou hast already pledged thyself to relieve my distress! Through thy grace, O Yaksha, I would become a perfect man!

यावदेव स राजा वै नोपयाति पुरं मम॥5.192.030a॥

तावदेव महायक्ष प्रसादं कुरु गुह्यक॥5.192.030c॥

As long as that king may not depart from my city, so long, O great Yaksha, show me grace, O Guhyaka!'

Shikhandi Becomes Male (Mahābhārata 5.193)

Bhishma's narration continues, describing how Shikhandi exchanges sexes with the yaksha. Transformed into a male, Shikhandi defuses the conflict between his family and Hiranyavarman. Although the exchange was meant to be temporary, the Lord of Yakshas punishes his subordinate by forcing him to remain female until Shikhandi dies. Shikhandi is thus allowed to remain male for the rest of his life. Bhishma refuses to attack Shikhandi because his code of honor forbids him someone who used to be a woman. And so, Shikhandi is to fulfill his destiny, as promised by Lord Shiva.

भीष्म उवाच॥5.193.001॥

शिखण्डिवाक्यं श्रुत्वाथ स यक्षो भरतर्षभ॥5.193.001a॥

प्रोवाच मनसा चिन्त्य दैवेनोपनिपीडितः॥5.193.001c॥

भवितव्यं तथा तद्धि मम दुःखाय कौरव॥5.193.001e॥

Bhishma said, 'Hearing, O bull of Bharata's race, those words of Sikhandini, afflicted by destiny, that Yaksha, said after reflecting in his mind, these words, 'Indeed, it was ordained to be so, and, O Kaurava, it was ordained for my grief!'

भद्रे कामं करिष्यामि समयं तु निबोध मे॥5.193.002a॥

किंचित्कालान्तरं दास्ये पुंलिङ्गं स्वमिदं तव॥5.193.002c॥

आगन्तव्यं त्वया काले सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते॥5.193.002e॥

The Yaksha said, 'O Blessed lady, I will certainly do what thou wishest! Listen, however, to the condition I make. For a certain period I will give thee my manhood. Thou must, however, come back to me in due time.

प्रभुः संकल्पसिद्धोऽस्मि कामरूपी विहंगमः॥5.193.003a॥

मत्प्रसादात्पुरं चैव त्राहि बन्धूंश्च केवलान्॥5.193.003c॥

Pledge thyself to do so! Possessed of immense power, I am a ranger of the skies, wandering at my pleasure, and capable of accomplishing whatever I intend. Through my grace, save the city and thy kinsmen wholly!

स्त्रीलिङ्गं धारयिष्यामि त्वदीयं पार्थिवात्मजे॥5.193.004a॥

सत्यं मे प्रतिजानीहि करिष्यामि प्रियं तव॥5.193.004c॥

 I will bear thy womanhood, O princess! Pledge thy truth to me, I will do what is agreeable to thee!'

शिखण्ड्युवाच॥5.193.005॥

प्रतिदास्यामि भगवँल्लिङ्गं पुनरिदं तव॥5.193.005a॥

किंचित्कालान्तरं स्त्रीत्वं धारयस्व निशाचर॥5.193.005c॥

Thus addressed, Sikhandini said unto him, 'O holy one of excellent vows, I will give thee back thy manhood! O wanderer of the night, bear thou my womanhood for a short time! 

प्रतिप्रयाते दाशार्णे पार्थिवे हेमवर्मणि॥5.193.006a॥

कन्यैवाहं भविष्यामि पुरुषस्त्वं भविष्यसि॥5.193.006c॥

After the ruler of the Dasarnakas who is cased in a golden mail will have departed (from my city) I will once more become a maiden and thou wilt become a man!'

भीष्म उवाच॥5.193.007॥

इत्युक्त्वा समयं तत्र चक्राते तावुभौ नृप॥5.193.007a॥

अन्योन्यस्यानभिद्रोहे तौ संक्रामयतां ततः॥5.193.007c॥

Bhishma continued, 'Having said this (unto each other), they both. O king, made a covenant, and imparted unto each other's body their sexes. 

स्त्रीलिङ्गं धारयामास स्थूणो यक्षो नराधिप॥5.193.008a॥

यक्षरूपं च तद्दीप्तं शिखण्डी प्रत्यपद्यत॥5.193.008c॥

And the Yaksha Sthuna, O Bharata, became a female, while Sikhandini obtained the blazing form of the Yaksha.

ततः शिखण्डी पाञ्चाल्यः पुंस्त्वमासाद्य पार्थिव॥5.193.009a॥

विवेश नगरं हृष्टः पितरं च समासदत्॥5.193.009c॥

यथावृत्तं तु तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ द्रुपदस्य च॥5.193.009e॥

Then, O king, Sikhandini of Panchala's race, having obtained manhood, entered his city in great joy and approached his father. And he represented unto Drupada everything that had happened.

द्रुपदस्तस्य तच्छ्रुत्वा हर्षमाहारयत्परम्॥5.193.010a॥

सभार्यस्तच्च सस्मार महेश्वरवचस्तदा॥5.193.010c॥

And Drupada, bearing it all became highly glad. And along with his wife the king recollected the words of Maheswara.

ततः संप्रेषयामास दशार्णाधिपतेर्नृप॥5.193.011a॥

पुरुषोऽयं मम सुतः श्रद्धत्तां मे भवानिति॥5.193.011c॥

And he forthwith sent, O king, messenger unto the ruler of the Dasarnakas, saying, 'This my child is a male. Let it be believed by thee!'

अथ दाशार्णको राजा सहसाभ्यागमत्तदा॥5.193.012a॥

पाञ्चालराजं द्रुपदं दुःखामर्षसमन्वितः॥5.193.012c॥

The king of the Dasarnakas meanwhile, filled with sorrow and grief, suddenly approached Drupada, the ruler of the Panchalas.

ततः काम्पिल्यमासाद्य दशार्णाधिपतिस्तदा॥5.193.013a॥

प्रेषयामास सत्कृत्य दूतं ब्रह्मविदां वरम्॥5.193.013c॥

And arrived at Kampilya, the Dasarnaka king despatched, after paying him proper honours, an envoy who was one of the foremost of those conversant with the Vedas. 

ब्रूहि मद्वचनाद्दूत पाञ्चाल्यं तं नृपाधमम्॥5.193.014a॥

यद्वै कन्यां स्वकन्यार्थे वृतवानसि दुर्मते॥5.193.014c॥

फलं तस्यावलेपस्य द्रक्ष्यस्यद्य न संशयः॥5.193.014e॥

And he addressed the envoy, saying, 'Instructed by me, O messenger, say unto that worst of kings the ruler of the Panchalas, these words,--viz., O thou of wicked understanding, having selected my daughter as a wife for one who is thy daughter, thou shalt today, without doubt, behold the fruit of that act of deception.'

एवमुक्तस्तु तेनासौ ब्राह्मणो राजसत्तम॥5.193.015a॥

दूतः प्रयातो नगरं दाशार्णनृपचोदितः॥5.193.015c॥

Thus addressed and despatched by him, O best of kings, the Brahmana set out for Drupada's city as Dasarnaka's envoy.

तत आसादयामास पुरोधा द्रुपदं पुरे॥5.193.016a॥

तस्मै पाञ्चालको राजा गामर्घ्यं च सुसत्कृतम्॥5.193.016c॥

प्रापयामास राजेन्द्र सह तेन शिखण्डिना॥5.193.016e॥

And having arrived at the city, the priest went unto Drupada's presence. The king of the Panchalas then, with Sikhandin, offered the envoy, O king, a cow and honey.

तां पूजां नाभ्यनन्दत्स वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह॥5.193.017a॥

यदुक्तं तेन वीरेण राज्ञा काञ्चनवर्मणा॥5.193.017c॥

The Brahmana, however, without accepting that worship, said unto him these words that had been communicated through him by the brave ruler of the Dasarnakas who was cased in a golden mail,

यत्तेऽहमधमाचार दुहित्रर्थेऽस्मि वञ्चितः॥5.193.018a॥

तस्य पापस्य करणात्फलं प्राप्नुहि दुर्मते॥5.193.018c॥

'As I have been deceived, O you of vile conduct, by your daughter, Receive, therefore, O wicked one, the (fruit) an account of the criminal act (of yours);

देहि युद्धं नरपते ममाद्य रणमूर्धनि॥5.193.019a॥

उद्धरिष्यामि ते सद्यः सामात्यसुतबान्धवम्॥5.193.019c॥

give battle, O king, to me, on the field of battle, without delay. I will forthwith slay your minister, offspring and friends.'

तदुपालम्भसंयुक्तं श्रावितः किल पार्थिवः॥5.193.020a॥

दशार्णपतिदूतेन मन्त्रिमध्ये पुरोधसा॥5.193.020c॥

Having, in the midst of his counsellors, been made by that priest to hear those words fraught with censure and uttered by the ruler of the Dasarnakas,

अब्रवीद्भरतश्रेष्ठ द्रुपदः प्रणयानतः॥5.193.021a॥

यदाह मां भवान्ब्रह्मन्संबन्धिवचनाद्वचः॥5.193.021c॥

तस्योत्तरं प्रतिवचो दूत एव वदिष्यति॥5.193.021e॥

king Drupada then, O chief of Bharata's race, assuming a mild behaviour from motives of friendship, 'said, The reply to these words of my brother that thou hast said unto me, O Brahmana, will be carried to that monarch by my envoy!'

ततः संप्रेषयामास द्रुपदोऽपि महात्मने॥5.193.022a॥

हिरण्यवर्मणे दूतं ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम्॥5.193.022c॥

And king Drupada then, sent unto the high-souled Hiranyavarman a Brahmana learned in the Vedas as his envoy. 

समागम्य तु राज्ञा स दशार्णपतिना तदा॥5.193.023a॥

तद्वाक्यमाददे राजन्यदुक्तं द्रुपदेन ह॥5.193.023c॥

And that envoy, going unto king Hiranyavarman, the ruler of the Dasarnakas, said unto him,

आगमः क्रियतां व्यक्तं कुमारो वै सुतो मम॥5.193.024a॥

मिथ्यैतदुक्तं केनापि तन्न श्रद्धेयमित्युत॥5.193.024c॥

 'O monarch, the word that Drupada had entrusted him with.' And he said, 'This my child is really a male. Let it be made clear by means of witness! Somebody has spoken falsely to thee. That should not be believed!'

ततः स राजा द्रुपदस्य श्रुत्वा; विमर्शयुक्तो युवतीर्वरिष्ठाः॥5.193.025a॥

संप्रेषयामास सुचारुरूपाः; शिखण्डिनं स्त्री पुमान्वेति वेत्तुम्॥5.193.025c॥

Then the king of the Dasarnakas, having heard the words of Drupada, was filled with sorrow and despatched a number of young ladies of great beauty for ascertaining whether Sikhandin was a male or female. 

ताः प्रेषितास्तत्त्वभावं विदित्वा; प्रीत्या राज्ञे तच्छशंसुर्हि सर्वम्॥5.193.026a॥

शिखण्डिनं पुरुषं कौरवेन्द्र; दशार्णराजाय महानुभावम्॥5.193.026c॥

Despatched by him, those ladies, having ascertained (the truth) joyfully told the king of the Dasarnakas everything, viz., that Sikhandin, O chief of the Kurus, was a powerful person of the masculine sex.

ततः कृत्वा तु राजा स आगमं प्रीतिमानथ॥5.193.027a॥

संबन्धिना समागम्य हृष्टो वासमुवास ह॥5.193.027c॥

Hearing that testimony, the ruler of the Dasarnakas was filled with great joy, and wending then unto his brother Drupada, passed a few days with him in joy.

शिखण्डिने च मुदितः प्रादाद्वित्तं जनेश्वरः॥5.193.028a॥

हस्तिनोऽश्वांश्च गाश्चैव दास्यो बहुशतास्तथा॥5.193.028c॥

पूजितश्च प्रतिययौ निवर्त्य तनयां किल॥5.193.028e॥

And the king, rejoiced as he was, gave unto Sikhandin much wealth, many elephants and steeds and kine. And worshipped by Drupada (as long as he stayed), the Dasarnaka king then departed, having rebuked his daughter.

विनीतकिल्बिषे प्रीते हेमवर्मणि पार्थिवे॥5.193.029a॥

प्रतियाते तु दाशार्णे हृष्टरूपा शिखण्डिनी॥5.193.029c॥

And after king Hiranyavarman, the ruler of the Dasarnakas had departed in joy and with his anger quelled, Sikhandin began to rejoice exceedingly.

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य कुबेरो नरवाहनः॥5.193.030a॥

लोकानुयात्रां कुर्वाणः स्थूणस्यागान्निवेशनम्॥5.193.030c॥

Meanwhile, sometime after (the exchange of sexes had taken place) Kuvera, who was always borne on the shoulders of human beings, in course of a journey (through the earth), came to the abode of Sthuna.

स तद्गृहस्योपरि वर्तमान; आलोकयामास धनाधिगोप्ता॥5.193.031a॥

स्थूणस्य यक्षस्य निशाम्य वेश्म; स्वलंकृतं माल्यगुणैर्विचित्रम्॥5.193.031c॥

Staying (in the welkin) above that mansion, the protector of all the treasures saw that the excellent abode of the Yaksha Sthuna was well-adorned with beautiful garland of flowers, 

लाजैश्च गन्धैश्च तथा वितानै;रभ्यर्चितं धूपनधूपितं च॥5.193.032a॥

ध्वजैः पताकाभिरलंकृतं च; भक्ष्यान्नपेयामिषदत्तहोमम्॥5.193.032c॥

and perfumed with fragrant roots of grass and many sweet scents. And it was decked with canopies, and scented incense. And it was also beautiful with standards and banners. And it was filled with edibles and drink of every kind.

तत्स्थानं तस्य दृष्ट्वा तु सर्वतः समलंकृतम्॥5.193.033a॥

अथाब्रवीद्यक्षपतिस्तान्यक्षाननुगांस्तदा॥5.193.033c॥

And beholding that beautiful abode of the Yaksha decked all over, and filled also with garlands of jewels and gems and perfumed with the fragrance of diverse kinds of flowers, and well-watered, and well-swept, the lord of the Yakshas addressed the Yakshas that followed him, saying

स्वलंकृतमिदं वेश्म स्थूणस्यामितविक्रमाः॥5.193.034a॥

नोपसर्पति मां चापि कस्मादद्य सुमन्दधीः॥5.193.034c॥

 'Ye that are endued with immeasurable prowess, this mansion of Sthuna is well-adorned! Why, however, doth not that wight of wicked understanding come to me?

यस्माज्जानन्सुमन्दात्मा मामसौ नोपसर्पति॥5.193.035a॥

तस्मात्तस्मै महादण्डो धार्यः स्यादिति मे मतिः॥5.193.035c॥

And since that wicked-souled one, knowing I am here, approacheth me not, therefore, some severe punishment should be inflicted on him! Even this is my intention!'

यक्षा ऊचुः॥5.193.036॥

द्रुपदस्य सुता राजन्राज्ञो जाता शिखण्डिनी॥5.193.036a॥

तस्यै निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चित्प्रादात्पुरुषलक्षणम्॥5.193.036c॥

Hearing these words of his, the Yakshas said, 'O king, the royal Drupada had a daughter born unto him, of the name of Sikhandini! Unto her, for some reason, Sthuna had given his own manhood,

अग्रहील्लक्षणं स्त्रीणां स्त्रीभूतस्तिष्ठते गृहे॥5.193.037a॥

नोपसर्पति तेनासौ सव्रीडः स्त्रीस्वरूपवान्॥5.193.037c॥

and having taken her womanhood upon him, he stayeth within his abode having become a woman! Bearing as he doth a feminine form, he doth not, therefore, approach thee in shame! 

एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजन्स्थूणो न त्वाद्य पश्यति॥5.193.038a॥

श्रुत्वा कुरु यथान्यायं विमानमिह तिष्ठताम्॥5.193.038c॥

It is for this reason, O king, that Sthuna cometh not to thee! Hearing all this, do what may be proper!' Let the car be stopped here!

भीष्म उवाच॥5.193.039॥

आनीयतां स्थूण इति ततो यक्षाधिपोऽब्रवीत्॥5.193.039a॥

कर्तास्मि निग्रहं तस्येत्युवाच स पुनः पुनः॥5.193.039c॥

Let Sthuna be brought to me,--were the words that the lord of the Yakshas uttered, and repeatedly said,--I will punish him!--

सोऽभ्यगच्छत यक्षेन्द्रमाहूतः पृथिवीपते॥5.193.040a॥

स्त्रीस्वरूपो महाराज तस्थौ व्रीडासमन्वितः॥5.193.040c॥

Summoned then by the Lord of Yakshas, Sthuna bearing a feminine form came thither, O king, and stood before him in shame.

तं शशाप सुसंक्रुद्धो धनदः कुरुनन्दन॥5.193.041a॥

एवमेव भवत्वस्य स्त्रीत्वं पापस्य गुह्यकाः॥5.193.041c॥

Then, O thou of Kuru's race, the giver of wealth cursed him in anger, saying, 'Ye Guhyakas, let the femininity of the wretch remain as it is!'

ततोऽब्रवीद्यक्षपतिर्महात्मा; यस्माददास्त्ववमन्येह यक्षान्॥5.193.042a॥

शिखण्डिने लक्षणं पापबुद्धे; स्त्रीलक्षणं चाग्रहीः पापकर्मन्॥5.193.042c॥

And the high-souled lord of the Yakshas also said, 'Since humiliating all the Yakshas, thou hast, O thou of sinful deeds, given away thy own sex to Sikhandini and taken from her, O thou of wicked understanding, her femininity,--

अप्रवृत्तं सुदुर्बुद्धे यस्मादेतत्कृतं त्वया॥5.193.043a॥

तस्मादद्य प्रभृत्येव त्वं स्त्री स पुरुषस्तथा॥5.193.043c॥

since, O wicked wretch, thou hast done what hath never been done by anybody,--therefore from this day, thou shalt remain a woman and she shall remain a man!' 

ततः प्रसादयामासुर्यक्षा वैश्रवणं किल॥5.193.044a॥

स्थूणस्यार्थे कुरुष्वान्तं शापस्येति पुनः पुनः॥5.193.044c॥

At these words of his, all the Yakshas began to soften Vaisravana for the sake of Sthunakarna repeatedly saying, 'Set a limit to thy curse!'

ततो महात्मा यक्षेन्द्रः प्रत्युवाचानुगामिनः॥5.193.045a॥

सर्वान्यक्षगणांस्तात शापस्यान्तचिकीर्षया॥5.193.045c॥

The high-souled lord of the Yakshas then said unto all these Yakshas that followed him, from desire of setting a limit to his curse, these words, viz.,--

हते शिखण्डिनि रणे स्वरूपं प्रतिपत्स्यते॥5.193.046a॥

स्थूणो यक्षो निरुद्वेगो भवत्विति महामनाः॥5.193.046c॥

After Sikhandin's death, ye Yakshas, this one will regain his own form! Therefore, let this high-souled Yaksha Sthuna be freed from his anxiety!

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवो यक्षराक्षसपूजितः॥5.193.047a॥

प्रययौ सह तैः सर्वैर्निमेषान्तरचारिभिः॥5.193.047c॥

Having said this, the illustrious and divine king of the Yakshas, receiving due worship, departed with all his followers who were capable of traversing a great distance within the shortest space of time.

स्थूणस्तु शापं संप्राप्य तत्रैव न्यवसत्तदा॥5.193.048a॥

समये चागमत्तं वै शिखण्डी स क्षपाचरम्॥5.193.048c॥

And Sthuna, with that curse pronounced on him, continued to live there. And when the time came, Sikhandin without losing a moment came unto that wanderer of the night.

सोऽभिगम्याब्रवीद्वाक्यं प्राप्तोऽस्मि भगवन्निति॥5.193.049a॥

तमब्रवीत्ततः स्थूणः प्रीतोऽस्मीति पुनः पुनः॥5.193.049c॥

And approaching his presence he said, It have come to thee, O holy one!' Sthuna then repeatedly said unto him, 'I am pleased with thee!'

आर्जवेनागतं दृष्ट्वा राजपुत्रं शिखण्डिनम्॥5.193.050a॥

सर्वमेव यथावृत्तमाचचक्षे शिखण्डिने॥5.193.050c॥

Indeed, beholding that prince return to him without guile, Sthuna told Sikhandin everything that had happened.

यक्ष उवाच॥5.193.051॥

शप्तो वैश्रवणेनास्मि त्वत्कृते पार्थिवात्मज॥5.193.051a॥

गच्छेदानीं यथाकामं चर लोकान्यथासुखम्॥5.193.051c॥

Indeed, the Yaksha said, 'O son of a king, for thee I have been cursed by Vaisravana. Go now, and live happily amongst men as thou choosest.

दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम्॥5.193.052a॥

गमनं तव चेतो हि पौलस्त्यस्य च दर्शनम्॥5.193.052c॥

Thy coming here and the arrival of Pulastya's son were, I think, both ordained from beforehand. All this was incapable of being prevented!'

भीष्म उवाच॥5.193.053॥

एवमुक्तः शिखण्डी तु स्थूणयक्षेण भारत॥5.193.053a॥

प्रत्याजगाम नगरं हर्षेण महतान्वितः॥5.193.053c॥

Bhishma continued, 'Thus addressed by the Kaksha, Sthuna, Sikhandin, O Bharata, came to his city, filled with great joy.

पूजयामास विविधैर्गन्धमाल्यैर्महाधनैः॥5.193.054a॥

द्विजातीन्देवताश्चापि चैत्यानथ चतुष्पथान्॥5.193.054c॥

And he worshipped with diverse scents and garlands of flower and costly presents persons of the regenerate class, deities, big trees and crossways.

द्रुपदः सह पुत्रेण सिद्धार्थेन शिखण्डिना॥5.193.055a॥

मुदं च परमां लेभे पाञ्चाल्यः सह बान्धवैः॥5.193.055c॥

And Drupada, the ruler of the Panchalas, along with his son Sikhandin whose wishes had been crowned with success, and with also his kinsmen, became exceedingly glad.

शिष्यार्थं प्रददौ चापि द्रोणाय कुरुपुंगव॥5.193.056a॥

शिखण्डिनं महाराज पुत्रं स्त्रीपूर्विणं तथा॥5.193.056c॥

And the king then, O bull of Kuru's race, gave his son, Sikhandin, who had been a woman, as a pupil, O monarch, to Drona. 

प्रतिपेदे चतुष्पादं धनुर्वेदं नृपात्मजः॥5.193.057a॥

शिखण्डी सह युष्माभिर्धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः॥5.193.057c॥

An prince Sikhandin obtained, along with yourselves, the whole science of arms with its four divisions. And (his brother) Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race also obtained the same.

मम त्वेतच्चरास्तात यथावत्प्रत्यवेदयन्॥5.193.058a॥

जडान्धबधिराकारा ये युक्ता द्रुपदे मया॥5.193.058c॥

Indeed, all this way represented unto me, O sire, by the spies, disguised as idiots and as persons without the senses of vision, and hearing whom I had set upon Drupada.

एवमेष महाराज स्त्रीपुमान्द्रुपदात्मजः॥5.193.059a॥

संभूतः कौरवश्रेष्ठ शिखण्डी रथसत्तमः॥5.193.059c॥

It is thus, O king, that that best of Rathas. Sikhandin, the son of Drupada, having first been born a female, subsequently became a person of the other sex.

ज्येष्ठा काशिपतेः कन्या अम्बा नामेति विश्रुता॥5.193.060a॥

द्रुपदस्य कुले जाता शिखण्डी भरतर्षभ॥5.193.060c॥

And it was the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi, celebrated by the name of Amva, who was, O bull of Bharata's race, born in Drupada's line as Sikhandin.

नाहमेनं धनुष्पाणिं युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्॥5.193.061a॥

मुहूर्तमपि पश्येयं प्रहरेयं न चाप्युत॥5.193.061c॥

If he approacheth me bow in hand and desirous of fight, I will not look at him even for a moment nor smite him, O thou of unfading glory!

व्रतमेतन्मम सदा पृथिव्यामपि विश्रुतम्॥5.193.062a॥

स्त्रियां स्त्रीपूर्वके चापि स्त्रीनाम्नि स्त्रीस्वरूपिणि॥5.193.062c॥

Even--this is my vow, known over all the world, viz., that I will not, O son of Kuru's race, shoot weapons upon a woman, or one that was a woman before or one bearing a feminine name, or one whose form resembleth a woman's.

न मुञ्चेयमहं बाणानिति कौरवनन्दन॥5.193.063a॥

न हन्यामहमेतेन कारणेन शिखण्डिनम्॥5.193.063c॥

I will not, for this reason, slay Sikhandin. 

एतत्तत्त्वमहं वेद जन्म तात शिखण्डिनः॥5.193.064a॥

ततो नैनं हनिष्यामि समरेष्वाततायिनम्॥5.193.064c॥

Even this, O sire, is the story that I have ascertained of Sikhandin's birth. I will not, therefore, slay him in battle even if he approacheth me weapon in hand.

यदि भीष्मः स्त्रियं हन्याद्धन्यादात्मानमप्युत॥5.193.065a॥

नैनं तस्माद्धनिष्यामि दृष्ट्वापि समरे स्थितम्॥5.193.065c॥

If Bhishma slayeth a woman the righteous will all speak ill of him. I will not, therefore, slay him even if I behold him waiting for battle!'

संजय उवाच॥5.193.066॥

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु कौरव्यो राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा॥5.193.066a॥

मुहूर्तमिव स ध्यात्वा भीष्मे युक्तममन्यत॥5.193.066c॥

Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of Bhishma, king Duryodhana of Kuru's race, reflecting for a moment, thought even that behaviour was proper for Bhishma.'

The Death of Shikhandi's Son (Mahābhārata 8.6.77)

Shikhandi is said to have fathered a warrior-son named Kshatradeva, who serves a minor role in the battles described in the Udyoga, Bhishma, Drona, and Karna Parvas (Books 5-8 of the Mahābhārata). His death is mentioned in Chapter 6 of the Karna Parva.

शिखण्डितनयो युद्धे क्षत्रदेवो युधां पतिः॥8.4.077a॥

लक्ष्मणेन हतो राजंस्तव पौत्रेण भारत॥8.4.077c॥

Shikhandi's son Kshatradeva, that foremost of warriors, possessed of great bravery, hath, O king, been slain by thy grandson Lakshmana, O sire!

 

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References

Brown, W. N. (1927). Change of Sex as a Hindu Story Motif. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 47, 3–24. https://doi.org/10.2307/593238

Sharma, M. (2007). “She Has Come from the World of the Spirits…”: Life Stories of Working-Class Lesbian Women in Northern India. In Women’s sexualities and masculinities in a globalizing Asia (pp. 243-264). New York: Palgrave Macmillan US.

Vanita, R. (2000). Krittivasa Ramayana: The Birth of Bhagiratha (Bengali). In Same-Sex Love in India: Readings from Literature and History (pp. 100-102). New York: Palgrave Macmillan US.

Wijewardene, S. (2007). “‘But No One Has Explained to Me Who I Am Now...’: ‘Trans’ Self perceptions in Sri Lanka.” In Women’s Sexualities and Masculinities in a Globalizing Asia, edited by S. E. Wieringa, E. Blackwood, and A. Bhaiya, 101–118. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.