Shikhandi Becomes a Man; Kubera Curses Sthuna

Verse 1 (5.192.1)

शिखण्डिवाक्यं श्रुत्वाऽथ स यक्षो भरतर्षभ । प्रोवाच मनसा चिन्त्य दैवेनोपनिपीडितः ॥

śikhaṇḍivākyaṃ śrutvā'tha sa yakṣo bharatarṣabha | provāca manasā cintya daivenopanipīḍitaḥ

Hearing Shikhandi's words, O bull of the Bharatas, the yaksha weighed them in his mind and spoke, driven on by fate.

Note on the text: Speaker set to भीष्म from the page's heading "भीष्म उवाच" above this verse (the input had none).

Verse 2 (5.192.2)

भवितव्यं तथा तद्धि मम दुःखाय कौरव । भद्रे कामं करिष्यामि समयं तु निबोध मे ॥

bhavitavyaṃ tathā taddhi mama duḥkhāya kaurava | bhadre kāmaṃ kariṣyāmi samayaṃ tu nibodha me

It had to be so, O Kaurava, and it was for my sorrow. "Good lady," he said, "I will do what you wish, but hear my condition.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.1e and line 2 is CE 5.193.2a (the two editions divide these verses differently). The first line is Bhishma's own comment to Duryodhana; the yaksha's speech begins with the second.

Verse 3 (5.192.3)

स्वं ते पुंस्त्वं प्रदास्यामि स्त्रीत्वं धारयिताऽस्मि ते । किंचित्कालं तु ते दास्ये पुल्लिङ्गं स्वमिदं तव । आगन्तव्यं त्वया काले सत्यं चैव वदस्व मे ॥

svaṃ te puṃstvaṃ pradāsyāmi strītvaṃ dhārayitā'smi te | kiṃcitkālaṃ tu te dāsye pulliṅgaṃ svamidaṃ tava | āgantavyaṃ tvayā kāle satyaṃ caiva vadasva me

I will give you my own manhood and will bear your womanhood. For a time I will give you this male form of mine; but you must come back when the time is up. Promise me this truly.

Note on the text: Removed the wiki backtick and quote marks around line 1. Line 1 is the critical edition's star passage 5.193.2b*0588_01 (not in its constituted text); lines 2–3 are CE 5.193.2c–e. The yaksha's speech has no printed heading; it is given to the yaksha (स्थूणाकर्ण, as in adhyaya 191).

Verse 4 (5.192.4)

प्रभुः संकल्पसिद्धोऽस्मि कामचारी विहंगमः । मत्प्रसादात्पुरं चैव त्राहि बन्धूंश्च केवलम् ॥

prabhuḥ saṃkalpasiddho'smi kāmacārī vihaṃgamaḥ | matprasādātpuraṃ caiva trāhi bandhūṃśca kevalam

I am a lord whose resolves come true; I go where I please and range the sky. By my grace, save your city and all your kinsmen.

Verse 5 (5.192.5)

स्त्रीलिङ्गं धारयिष्यामि तवेदं पार्थिवात्मजे । सत्यं मे प्रतिजानीहि करिष्यामि प्रियं तव ॥

strīliṅgaṃ dhārayiṣyāmi tavedaṃ pārthivātmaje | satyaṃ me pratijānīhi kariṣyāmi priyaṃ tava

I will bear this womanhood of yours, princess. Give me your true pledge, and I will do what you desire."

Verse 6 (5.192.6)

प्रतिदास्यामि भगवन्पुंलिङ्गं तव सुव्रत । किंचित्कालान्तरं स्त्रीत्वं धारयस्व निशाचर ॥

pratidāsyāmi bhagavanpuṃliṅgaṃ tava suvrata | kiṃcitkālāntaraṃ strītvaṃ dhārayasva niśācara

"Blessed one, keeper of vows, I will give you back your manhood. Bear womanhood for a while, rover of the night.

Note on the text: Corrected पुलिङ्गं → पुंलिङ्गं (misprint in Wikisource; the anusvara of पुंस्- is dropped, cf. पुल्लिङ्गं in verse 3). The critical edition reads liṅgaṃ punar idaṃ tava here.

Verse 7 (5.192.7)

प्रतियाते दशार्णे तु पार्थिवे हेमवर्मणि । कन्यैव हि भविष्यामि पुरुषस्त्वं भविष्यसि ॥

pratiyāte daśārṇe tu pārthive hemavarmaṇi | kanyaiva hi bhaviṣyāmi puruṣastvaṃ bhaviṣyasi

When Hemavarman, king of the Dasharnas, has gone back home, I will become a maiden again and you will be a man."

Verse 8 (5.192.8)

इत्युक्त्वा समयं तत्र चक्राते तावुभौ नृप । अन्योन्यस्यानभिद्रोहे तौ संक्रामयतां ततः ॥

ityuktvā samayaṃ tatra cakrāte tāvubhau nṛpa | anyonyasyānabhidrohe tau saṃkrāmayatāṃ tataḥ

Having said this, O king, the two made a compact there, each pledging not to betray the other, and then they made the exchange.

Verse 9 (5.192.9)

स्त्रीलिङ्गं धारयामास स्थूणो यक्षोऽथ भारत । यक्षरूपं च तद्दीप्तं शिखण्डी प्रत्यपद्यत ॥

strīliṅgaṃ dhārayāmāsa sthūṇo yakṣo'tha bhārata | yakṣarūpaṃ ca taddīptaṃ śikhaṇḍī pratyapadyata

The yaksha Sthuna then took on the female sex, O Bharata, and Shikhandi received the yaksha's blazing form.

Verse 10 (5.192.10)

ततः शिखण्डी पाञ्चाल्यः पुंस्त्वमासाद्य पार्थिव । विवेश नगरं हृष्टः पितरं च समासदत् ॥

tataḥ śikhaṇḍī pāñcālyaḥ puṃstvamāsādya pārthiva | viveśa nagaraṃ hṛṣṭaḥ pitaraṃ ca samāsadat

Then Shikhandi of Panchala, having gained manhood, entered the city in joy, O king, and went to his father.

Note on the text: Matches CE 5.193.9a–c (listed among the unmatched critical-edition verses).

Verse 11 (5.192.11)

यथावृत्तं तु तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ द्रुपदस्य तत् । मातुश्च रहिते राजन्प्रसादं यक्षजं तदा । द्रुपदस्तस्य तच्छ्रुत्वा हर्षमाहारयत्परम् ॥

yathāvṛttaṃ tu tatsarvamācakhyau drupadasya tat | mātuśca rahite rājanprasādaṃ yakṣajaṃ tadā | drupadastasya tacchrutvā harṣamāhārayatparam

He told Drupada everything just as it had happened, and in private, O king, he told his mother of the yaksha's favour. Hearing it from him, Drupada was overjoyed.

Note on the text: Removed the wiki backtick and quote marks around line 2. Line 1 is CE 5.193.9e; line 2 is the star passage 5.193.9f*0589_01 (CE tathā for तदा); line 3 is CE 5.193.10a.

Verse 12 (5.192.12)

सभार्यस्तच्च सस्मार महेश्वरवचस्तदा । ततः संप्रेषयामास दशार्णाधिपतेर्नृपः ॥

sabhāryastacca sasmāra maheśvaravacastadā | tataḥ saṃpreṣayāmāsa daśārṇādhipaternṛpaḥ

He and his wife then remembered the words of Maheshvara. Then the king sent word to the lord of the Dasharnas:

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.10c; line 2 is CE 5.193.11a.

Verse 13 (5.192.13)

पुरुषोऽयं मम सुतः श्रद्धत्तां मे भवानिति । अथ दाशार्णको राजा सहसाभ्यागमत्तदा ॥

puruṣo'yaṃ mama sutaḥ śraddhattāṃ me bhavāniti | atha dāśārṇako rājā sahasābhyāgamattadā

"This son of mine is a man; believe me." Then the king of the Dasharnas came at once

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.11c; line 2 is CE 5.193.12a.

Verse 14 (5.192.14)

पाञ्चालराजं द्रुपदं दुःखशोकसमन्वितः । ततः काम्पिल्यमासाद्य दशार्णाधिपतिस्ततः ॥

pāñcālarājaṃ drupadaṃ duḥkhaśokasamanvitaḥ | tataḥ kāmpilyamāsādya daśārṇādhipatistataḥ

against Drupada, king of Panchala, full of grief and sorrow. Then the lord of the Dasharnas, having reached Kampilya,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.12c (CE duḥkhāmarṣa- for दुःखशोक-); line 2 is CE 5.193.13a.

Verse 15 (5.192.15)

प्रेषयामास सत्कृत्य दूतं ब्रह्मविदां वरम् । ब्रूहि मद्वचनाद्दूत पाञ्चाल्यं तं नृपाधमम् ॥

preṣayāmāsa satkṛtya dūtaṃ brahmavidāṃ varam | brūhi madvacanāddūta pāñcālyaṃ taṃ nṛpādhamam

sent with honour an envoy, the best of those who know Brahman: "Messenger, say this from me to that Panchala, the basest of kings:

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.13c; line 2 is CE 5.193.14a.

Verse 16 (5.192.16)

यन्मे कन्यां स्वकन्यार्थे वृतवानसि दुर्मते । फलं तस्यावलेपस्य द्रक्ष्यस्यद्य न संशयः ॥

yanme kanyāṃ svakanyārthe vṛtavānasi durmate | phalaṃ tasyāvalepasya drakṣyasyadya na saṃśayaḥ

'Since you chose my daughter for your own daughter, fool, you will see the fruit of that arrogance today; there is no doubt of it.'"

Note on the text: CE 5.193.14c–e.

Verse 17 (5.192.17)

एवमुक्तश्च तेनासौ ब्राह्मणो राजसत्तम । दूतः प्रयातो नगरं दाशार्णनृपचोदितः ॥

evamuktaśca tenāsau brāhmaṇo rājasattama | dūtaḥ prayāto nagaraṃ dāśārṇanṛpacoditaḥ

So instructed by him, O best of kings, the Brahmin envoy, sent on by the Dasharna king, set out for the city.

Verse 18 (5.192.18)

तत आसादयामास पुरोधा द्रुपदं पुरे । तस्मै पाञ्चालको राजा गामर्घ्यं च सुसत्कृतम् ॥

tata āsādayāmāsa purodhā drupadaṃ pure | tasmai pāñcālako rājā gāmarghyaṃ ca susatkṛtam

The priest then came to Drupada in his city. The Panchala king offered him a cow and the guest-water with great honour,

Note on the text: Corrected ततः आसादयामास → तत आसादयामास (misprint in Wikisource; visarga left unresolved before a vowel, as the critical edition reads tata āsādayām āsa). Lines are CE 5.193.16a–c.

Verse 19 (5.192.19)

प्रापयामास राजेन्द्र सह तेन शिखण्डिना । तां पूजां नाभ्यनन्दत्स वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह ॥

prāpayāmāsa rājendra saha tena śikhaṇḍinā | tāṃ pūjāṃ nābhyanandatsa vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha

presented together with Shikhandi, O king of kings. But he did not welcome that worship, and spoke these words,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.16e; line 2 is CE 5.193.17a.

Verse 20 (5.192.20)

यदुक्तं तेन वीरेण राज्ञा काञ्चनवर्मणा । यत्तेऽहमधमाचार दुहित्राऽस्म्यभिवञ्चितः ॥

yaduktaṃ tena vīreṇa rājñā kāñcanavarmaṇā | yatte'hamadhamācāra duhitrā'smyabhivañcitaḥ

the message of that hero, King Kanchanavarman: "Since I have been deceived by you through your daughter, you of base conduct,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.17c; line 2 is CE 5.193.18a (CE duhitrarthe 'smi vañcitaḥ).

Verse 21 (5.192.21)

तस्य पापस्य करणात्फलं प्राप्नुहि दुर्मते । देहि युद्धं नरपते ममाद्य रणमूर्धनि ॥

tasya pāpasya karaṇātphalaṃ prāpnuhi durmate | dehi yuddhaṃ narapate mamādya raṇamūrdhani

reap the fruit of that wicked deed, fool. Give me battle today, king, at the head of the fight;

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.18c; line 2 is CE 5.193.19a.

Verse 22 (5.192.22)

उद्धरिष्यामि ते सद्यः सामात्यसुतबान्धवम् । तदुपालम्भसंयुक्तं श्रावितः किल पार्थिवः ॥

uddhariṣyāmi te sadyaḥ sāmātyasutabāndhavam | tadupālambhasaṃyuktaṃ śrāvitaḥ kila pārthivaḥ

I will root you out at once, with your ministers, sons and kinsmen." The king, it is said, was made to hear these reproaches

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.19c; line 2 is CE 5.193.20a.

Verse 23 (5.192.23)

दशार्णपतिना चोक्तो मन्त्रिमध्ये पुरोधसा । अभवद्भरतश्रेष्ठ द्रुपदः प्रणयानतः ॥

daśārṇapatinā cokto mantrimadhye purodhasā | abhavadbharataśreṣṭha drupadaḥ praṇayānataḥ

spoken by the priest for the lord of the Dasharnas in the midst of his ministers. Drupada, O best of the Bharatas, was humbled by his regard for the kinship, and said:

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.20c (CE daśārṇapatidūtena for दशार्णपतिना चोक्तो); line 2 is CE 5.193.21a (CE abravīd for अभवद्).

Verse 24 (5.192.24)

यदाह मां भवान्ब्रह्मन्संबन्धिवचनाद्वचः । अस्योत्तरं प्रतिवचो दूतो राज्ञे वदिष्यति ॥

yadāha māṃ bhavānbrahmansaṃbandhivacanādvacaḥ | asyottaraṃ prativaco dūto rājñe vadiṣyati

"Brahmin, to the words you have spoken to me as my kinsman's message, the answer will be given to the king by my own envoy."

Note on the text: CE 5.193.21c–e.

Verse 25 (5.192.25)

ततः संप्रेषयामास द्रुपदोऽपि महात्मने । हिरण्यवर्मणे दूतं ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम् ॥

tataḥ saṃpreṣayāmāsa drupado'pi mahātmane | hiraṇyavarmaṇe dūtaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ vedapāragam

Then Drupada in turn sent to the great-souled Hiranyavarman a Brahmin envoy who had mastered the Vedas.

Verse 26 (5.192.26)

तमागम्य तु राजानं दशार्णाधिपतिं तदा । तद्वाक्यमाददे राजन्यदुक्तं द्रुपदेन ह ॥

tamāgamya tu rājānaṃ daśārṇādhipatiṃ tadā | tadvākyamādade rājanyaduktaṃ drupadena ha

He went to that king, the lord of the Dasharnas, and delivered, O king, the message Drupada had given:

Verse 27 (5.192.27)

आगमः क्रियतां व्यक्तः कुमारोऽयं सुतो मम । मिथ्यैतदुक्तं केनापि तदश्रद्धेयमित्युत ॥

āgamaḥ kriyatāṃ vyaktaḥ kumāro'yaṃ suto mama | mithyaitaduktaṃ kenāpi tadaśraddheyamityuta

"Let a clear test be made: this prince is my son. Someone has told a lie; it is not to be believed."

Verse 28 (5.192.28)

ततः स राजा द्रुपदस्य श्रुत्वा । विमर्शयुक्तो युवतीर्वरिष्ठाः । संप्रेषयामास सुचारुरूपाः । शिखण्डिनं स्त्रीपुमान्वेति वेत्तुम् ॥

tataḥ sa rājā drupadasya śrutvā | vimarśayukto yuvatīrvariṣṭhāḥ | saṃpreṣayāmāsa sucārurūpāḥ | śikhaṇḍinaṃ strīpumānveti vettum

Then the king, having heard Drupada, and still in doubt, sent the finest young women, of great beauty, to find out whether Shikhandi was woman or man.

Verse 29 (5.192.29)

ताः प्रेषितास्तत्त्वभावं विदित्वा । प्रीत्या राज्ञे तच्छशंसुर्हि सर्वम् । शिखण्डिनं पुरुषं कौरवेन्द्र । दाशार्णराजाय महानुभावम् ॥

tāḥ preṣitāstattvabhāvaṃ viditvā | prītyā rājñe tacchaśaṃsurhi sarvam | śikhaṇḍinaṃ puruṣaṃ kauravendra | dāśārṇarājāya mahānubhāvam

Sent there, they learned the truth of the matter and gladly told the king everything, O lord of the Kurus: they told the mighty king of the Dasharnas that Shikhandi was a man.

Verse 30 (5.192.30)

ततः कृत्वा तु राजा स आगमं प्रीतिमानथ । संबन्धिना समागम्य हृष्टो वासमुवास ह ॥

tataḥ kṛtvā tu rājā sa āgamaṃ prītimānatha | saṃbandhinā samāgamya hṛṣṭo vāsamuvāsa ha

Having made the test, the king was pleased. He met with his kinsman and gladly stayed on as his guest.

Verse 31 (5.192.31)

शिखण्डिने च मुदितः प्रादाद्वित्तं जनेश्वरः । हस्तिनोऽश्वांश्च गाश्चैव दासीर्बहुशतास्तथा । पूजितश्च प्रतिययौ निर्भर्त्स्य तनयां किल ॥

śikhaṇḍine ca muditaḥ prādādvittaṃ janeśvaraḥ | hastino'śvāṃśca gāścaiva dāsīrbahuśatāstathā | pūjitaśca pratiyayau nirbhartsya tanayāṃ kila

In his delight the lord of men gave Shikhandi wealth: elephants, horses and cows, and many hundreds of slave-women. Then, honoured, he went home, after rebuking his daughter, it is said.

Verse 32 (5.192.32)

विनीतकिल्विषे प्रीते हेमवर्मणि पार्थिवे । प्रतियाते दशार्णे तु हृष्टरूपा शिखण्डिनी ॥

vinītakilviṣe prīte hemavarmaṇi pārthive | pratiyāte daśārṇe tu hṛṣṭarūpā śikhaṇḍinī

When King Hemavarman of the Dasharnas, his anger gone and his mind at ease, had returned home, Shikhandini rejoiced.

Verse 33 (5.192.33)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य कुबेरो नरवाहनः । लोकयात्रां प्रकुर्वाणः स्थूणस्यागान्निवेशनम् ॥

kasyacittvatha kālasya kubero naravāhanaḥ | lokayātrāṃ prakurvāṇaḥ sthūṇasyāgānniveśanam

Some time later Kubera, who is borne by men, came on his travels about the world to Sthuna's dwelling.

Verse 34 (5.192.34)

स तद्गृहस्योपरि वर्तमान । आलोकयामास धनाधिगोप्ता । स्थूणस्य यक्षस्य विवेश वेश्म । स्वलंकृतं माल्यगुणैर्विचित्रैः ॥

sa tadgṛhasyopari vartamāna | ālokayāmāsa dhanādhigoptā | sthūṇasya yakṣasya viveśa veśma | svalaṃkṛtaṃ mālyaguṇairvicitraiḥ

Hovering above that house, the guardian of wealth looked down on it, and entered the dwelling of the yaksha Sthuna, well adorned with strings of varied garlands,

Note on the text: Corrected नद्गृहस्योपरि → तद्गृहस्योपरि and वतमान → वर्तमान (misprints in Wikisource; न for त and a dropped repha, following the critical edition sa tadgṛhasyopari vartamāna). विवेश (CE niśāmya) kept as a variant.

Verse 35 (5.192.35)

लाजैश्च गन्धैश्च तथा वितानै- । रभ्यर्चितं धूपनधूपितं च । ध्वजैः पताकाभिरलंकृतं च । भक्ष्यान्नपेयामिषदत्तमोदम् ॥

lājaiśca gandhaiśca tathā vitānai- | rabhyarcitaṃ dhūpanadhūpitaṃ ca | dhvajaiḥ patākābhiralaṃkṛtaṃ ca | bhakṣyānnapeyāmiṣadattamodam

honoured with parched grain, perfumes and canopies, fragrant with incense, decked with flags and banners, and giving delight with offerings of food, rice, drink and meat.

Note on the text: Corrected लाचैश्च → लाजैश्च, धृनधृपितं → धूपनधूपितं and -पेयामिप- → -पेयामिष- (misprints in Wikisource; following the critical edition lājaiś ca, dhūpanadhūpitaṃ, bhakṣyānnapeyāmiṣa-). -दत्तमोदम् (CE -dattahomam) kept as a variant.

Verse 36 (5.192.36)

तत्स्थानं तस्य दृष्ट्वा तु सर्वतः समलंकृतम् । मणिरत्नसुवर्णानां मालाभिः परिपूरितम् ॥

tatsthānaṃ tasya dṛṣṭvā tu sarvataḥ samalaṃkṛtam | maṇiratnasuvarṇānāṃ mālābhiḥ paripūritam

Seeing that place of his adorned on every side and hung with garlands of gems, jewels and gold,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 5.193.33a; line 2 is the critical edition's star passage 5.193.33b*0590_01 (not in its constituted text).

Verse 37 (5.192.37)

नानाकुसुमगन्धाढ्यं सिक्तसंमृष्टशोभितम् । अथाब्रवीद्यक्षपतिस्तान्यक्षाननुगांस्तदा ॥

nānākusumagandhāḍhyaṃ siktasaṃmṛṣṭaśobhitam | athābravīdyakṣapatistānyakṣānanugāṃstadā

rich with the scent of many flowers, sprinkled, swept and shining, the lord of the yakshas then said to the yakshas who attended him:

Note on the text: Corrected कुसूम → कुसुम (misprint in Wikisource). Line 1 is the critical edition's star passage 5.193.33b*0590_02; line 2 is CE 5.193.33c.

Verse 38 (5.192.38)

स्वलंकृतमिदं वेश्म स्थूणस्यामितविक्रमाः । नोपसर्पति मां चैव कस्मादद्य स मन्दधीः ॥

svalaṃkṛtamidaṃ veśma sthūṇasyāmitavikramāḥ | nopasarpati māṃ caiva kasmādadya sa mandadhīḥ

"This house of Sthuna is finely adorned, you of boundless valour. Why then does that dull-witted one not come to me today?

Verse 39 (5.192.39)

यस्माज्जानन्स मन्दात्मा मामसौ नोपसर्पति । तस्मात्तस्मै महादण्डो धार्यः स्यादिति मे मतिः ॥

yasmājjānansa mandātmā māmasau nopasarpati | tasmāttasmai mahādaṇḍo dhāryaḥ syāditi me matiḥ

Since that fool knowingly keeps away from me, a heavy punishment should be laid on him. That is my judgment."

Verse 40 (5.192.40)

द्रुपदस्य सुता राजन्राज्ञो जाता शिखण्डिनी । तस्या निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चित्प्रादात्पुरुषलक्षणम् ॥

drupadasya sutā rājanrājño jātā śikhaṇḍinī | tasyā nimitte kasmiṃścitprādātpuruṣalakṣaṇam

"O king, a daughter, Shikhandini, was born to King Drupada. For her sake, for some reason, he gave her his male nature.

Verse 41 (5.192.41)

अग्रहील्लक्षणं स्त्रीणां स्त्रीभूता तिष्ठते गृहे । नोपसर्पति तेनासौ सव्रीडः स्त्रीसरूपवान् ॥

agrahīllakṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ strībhūtā tiṣṭhate gṛhe | nopasarpati tenāsau savrīḍaḥ strīsarūpavān

He has taken on the marks of a woman and stays at home as a woman. That is why he does not come to you: he is ashamed, having a woman's form.

Verse 42 (5.192.42)

एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजन्स्थूणो न त्वाऽद्य सर्पति । श्रुत्वा कुरु यथान्यायं विमानमिह तिष्ठताम् ॥

etasmātkāraṇādrājansthūṇo na tvā'dya sarpati | śrutvā kuru yathānyāyaṃ vimānamiha tiṣṭhatām

For this reason, O king, Sthuna does not come to you today. Now that you have heard, do what is right. Let your aerial car halt here."

Verse 43 (5.192.43)

आनीयतां स्थूण इति ततो यक्षाधिपोऽब्रवीत् । कर्तास्मि निग्रहं तस्य प्रत्युवाच पुनः पुनः ॥

ānīyatāṃ sthūṇa iti tato yakṣādhipo'bravīt | kartāsmi nigrahaṃ tasya pratyuvāca punaḥ punaḥ

"Let Sthuna be brought here," said the lord of the yakshas. "I will punish him," he said again and again.

Note on the text: Speaker corrected from यक्षा (carried over) to भीष्म: the Yakshas' reply ends with the previous verse and narration resumes here; the critical edition heads 5.193.39 "bhīṣma uvāca".

Verse 44 (5.192.44)

सोऽभ्यगच्छत यक्षेन्द्रमाहूतः पृथिवीपते । स्त्रीसरूपो महाराज तस्थौ व्रीडासमन्वितः ॥

so'bhyagacchata yakṣendramāhūtaḥ pṛthivīpate | strīsarūpo mahārāja tasthau vrīḍāsamanvitaḥ

Summoned, he came to the lord of the yakshas, O lord of the earth, and stood there in a woman's form, great king, overcome with shame.

Note on the text: Corrected स्त्रीमरूपो → स्त्रीसरूपो (misprint in Wikisource; म for स, cf. स्त्रीसरूपवान् in verse 41; the critical edition reads strīsvarūpo).

Verse 45 (5.192.45)

तं शशापाथ संक्रुद्धो धनदः कुरुनन्दन । एवमेव भवत्वद्य स्त्रीत्वं पापस्य गुह्यकाः ॥

taṃ śaśāpātha saṃkruddho dhanadaḥ kurunandana | evameva bhavatvadya strītvaṃ pāpasya guhyakāḥ

Then Dhanada, the giver of wealth, cursed him in fury, O joy of the Kurus: "Guhyakas, let this wicked one's womanhood remain just as it is from today!"

Note on the text: Corrected कुरूनन्दन → कुरुनन्दन (misprint in Wikisource; long ū for short u).

Verse 46 (5.192.46)

ततोऽब्रवीद्यक्षपतिर्महात्मा । यस्माददास्त्ववमन्येह यक्षान् । शिखण्डिनो लक्षणं पापबुद्धे । स्त्रीलक्षणं चाग्रहीः पापकर्मन् ॥

tato'bravīdyakṣapatirmahātmā | yasmādadāstvavamanyeha yakṣān | śikhaṇḍino lakṣaṇaṃ pāpabuddhe | strīlakṣaṇaṃ cāgrahīḥ pāpakarman

Then the great-souled lord of the yakshas said: "Wicked-minded one, since you scorned the yakshas and gave away your manhood to Shikhandi, and took a woman's nature, doer of evil,

Verse 47 (5.192.47)

अप्रवृत्तं सुदुर्बुद्धे यस्मादेतत्त्वया कृतम् । तस्मादद्य प्रभृत्येव स्त्री त्वं सा पुरुषस्तथा ॥

apravṛttaṃ sudurbuddhe yasmādetattvayā kṛtam | tasmādadya prabhṛtyeva strī tvaṃ sā puruṣastathā

since you have done this thing never done before, utter fool, from this day on you shall be a woman and she shall be a man."

Note on the text: Kubera's curse continues from the previous verse with no printed heading; the whole verse is his speech.

Verse 48 (5.192.48)

ततः प्रसादयामासुर्यक्षा वैश्रवणं किल । स्थूणस्यार्थे कुरुष्वान्तं शापस्येति पुनः पुनः ॥

tataḥ prasādayāmāsuryakṣā vaiśravaṇaṃ kila | sthūṇasyārthe kuruṣvāntaṃ śāpasyeti punaḥ punaḥ

Then the yakshas tried to appease Vaishravana, it is said, pleading again and again, "For Sthuna's sake, set an end to the curse."

Verse 49 (5.192.49)

ततो महात्मा यक्षेन्द्रः प्रत्युवाचानुगामिनः । सर्वान्यक्षगणांस्तात शापस्यान्तचिकीर्षया ॥

tato mahātmā yakṣendraḥ pratyuvācānugāminaḥ | sarvānyakṣagaṇāṃstāta śāpasyāntacikīrṣayā

Then the great-souled lord of the yakshas, wishing to set a limit to the curse, my son, answered all the hosts of yakshas who followed him:

Verse 50 (5.192.50)

शिखण्डिनि हते यक्षाः स्वं रूपं प्रतिपत्स्यते । स्थूणो यक्षो निरुद्वेगो भवत्विति महामनाः ॥

śikhaṇḍini hate yakṣāḥ svaṃ rūpaṃ pratipatsyate | sthūṇo yakṣo nirudvego bhavatviti mahāmanāḥ

"Yakshas, when Shikhandi is slain, he will regain his own form. Let the yaksha Sthuna be free of anxiety," said the great-minded one.

Verse 51 (5.192.51)

इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवो यक्षराजः सुपूजितः । प्रययौ सहितः सर्वैर्निमेषान्तरचारिभिः ॥

ityuktvā bhagavāndevo yakṣarājaḥ supūjitaḥ | prayayau sahitaḥ sarvairnimeṣāntaracāribhiḥ

Having said this, the blessed god, the king of the yakshas, duly honoured, departed together with all those who travel in the twinkling of an eye.

Verse 52 (5.192.52)

स्थूणस्तु शापं संप्राप्य तत्रैव न्यवसत्तदा । समये चागमत्तूर्णं शिखण्डी तं क्षपाचरम् ॥

sthūṇastu śāpaṃ saṃprāpya tatraiva nyavasattadā | samaye cāgamattūrṇaṃ śikhaṇḍī taṃ kṣapācaram

Sthuna, having received the curse, went on living there. At the appointed time Shikhandi came quickly to that rover of the night.

Note on the text: Corrected चागमूत्तूर्णं → चागमत्तूर्णं (misprint in Wikisource; अगमूत् is not a form, the aorist is अगमत्, as in the critical edition's cāgamat).

Verse 53 (5.192.53)

सोऽभिगम्याब्रवीद्वाक्यं प्राप्तोऽस्मि भगवन्निति । तमब्रवीत्ततः स्थूणः प्रीतोऽस्मीति पुनः पुनः ॥

so'bhigamyābravīdvākyaṃ prāpto'smi bhagavanniti | tamabravīttataḥ sthūṇaḥ prīto'smīti punaḥ punaḥ

Approaching him, he said, "I have come, blessed one." Then Sthuna said to him again and again, "I am pleased."

Verse 54 (5.192.54)

आर्जवेनागतं दृष्ट्वा राजपुत्रं शिखण्डिनम् । सर्वमेव यथावृत्तमाचचक्षे शिखण्डिने ॥

ārjavenāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā rājaputraṃ śikhaṇḍinam | sarvameva yathāvṛttamācacakṣe śikhaṇḍine

Seeing that Prince Shikhandi had come back in good faith, he told Shikhandi all that had happened.

Verse 55 (5.192.55)

शप्तो वैश्रवणेनाहं त्वत्कृते पार्थिवात्मज । गच्छेदानीं यथाकामं चर लोकान्यथासुखम् ॥

śapto vaiśravaṇenāhaṃ tvatkṛte pārthivātmaja | gacchedānīṃ yathākāmaṃ cara lokānyathāsukham

"Prince, I have been cursed by Vaishravana on your account. Go now as you wish, and roam the worlds at your pleasure.

Note on the text: The page heads this verse "भीष्म उवाच", kept as printed; the words are Sthuna's, and the critical edition heads them "yakṣa uvāca".

Verse 56 (5.192.56)

दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् । गमनं तव चेतो हि पौलस्त्यस्य च दर्शनम् ॥

diṣṭametatpurā manye na śakyamativartitum | gamanaṃ tava ceto hi paulastyasya ca darśanam

This, I think, was ordained long ago and cannot be escaped: your coming here, and the sight of Paulastya."

Note on the text: Continues Sthuna's speech under the page's heading "भीष्म उवाच" (critical edition: "yakṣa uvāca").

Verse 57 (5.192.57)

एवमुक्तः शिखण्डी तु स्थूणयक्षेण भारत । प्रत्याजगाम नगरं हर्षेण महतावृतः ॥

evamuktaḥ śikhaṇḍī tu sthūṇayakṣeṇa bhārata | pratyājagāma nagaraṃ harṣeṇa mahatāvṛtaḥ

Thus addressed by the yaksha Sthuna, O Bharata, Shikhandi went back to the city filled with great joy.

Note on the text: Corrected हर्वेण → हर्षेण (misprint in Wikisource; व for ष, as the critical edition harṣeṇa).

Verse 58 (5.192.58)

पूजयामास विविधैर्गन्धमाल्यैर्महाधनैः । द्विजातीन्देवताश्चैव चैत्यानथ चतुष्पथान् ॥

pūjayāmāsa vividhairgandhamālyairmahādhanaiḥ | dvijātīndevatāścaiva caityānatha catuṣpathān

With many kinds of perfumes and garlands and rich gifts he worshipped the twice-born, the gods, the sacred trees and the crossroads.

Verse 59 (5.192.59)

द्रुपदः सह पुत्रेण सिद्धार्थेन शिखण्डिना । मुदं च परमां लेभे पाञ्चाल्यः सह बान्धवैः ॥

drupadaḥ saha putreṇa siddhārthena śikhaṇḍinā | mudaṃ ca paramāṃ lebhe pāñcālyaḥ saha bāndhavaiḥ

Drupada of Panchala, together with his son Shikhandi, whose purpose was now fulfilled, and with his kinsmen, felt the greatest joy.

Verse 60 (5.192.60)

शिष्यार्थं प्रददौ चाथ द्रोणाय कुरुपुङ्गव । शिखण्डिनं महाराज पुत्रं स्त्रीपूर्विणं तथा ॥

śiṣyārthaṃ pradadau cātha droṇāya kurupuṅgava | śikhaṇḍinaṃ mahārāja putraṃ strīpūrviṇaṃ tathā

And then, bull of the Kurus, he gave Shikhandi, his son who had once been a woman, to Drona as a pupil, great king.

Verse 61 (5.192.61)

प्रतिपेदे चतुष्पादं धनुर्वेदं नृपात्मजः । शिखण्डी सह युष्माभिर्धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः ॥

pratipede catuṣpādaṃ dhanurvedaṃ nṛpātmajaḥ | śikhaṇḍī saha yuṣmābhirdhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ

Prince Shikhandi, along with all of you and Dhrishtadyumna son of Prishata, mastered the science of archery in its four parts.

Verse 62 (5.192.62)

मम त्वेतच्चरास्तात यथावत्प्रत्यवेदयन् । जडान्धबधिराकारा ये मुक्ता द्रुपदे मया ॥

mama tvetaccarāstāta yathāvatpratyavedayan | jaḍāndhabadhirākārā ye muktā drupade mayā

All this, my son, was reported to me exactly by my spies, whom I had set upon Drupada disguised as idiots, the blind and the deaf.

Note on the text: Corrected द्रपदे → द्रुपदे (misprint in Wikisource; dropped u-sign). मुक्ता (CE yuktā) kept as a variant.

Verse 63 (5.192.63)

एवमेष महाराज स्त्री पुमान्द्रुपदात्मजः । स संभूतः कुरुश्रेष्ठ शिखण्डी रथसत्तमः ॥

evameṣa mahārāja strī pumāndrupadātmajaḥ | sa saṃbhūtaḥ kuruśreṣṭha śikhaṇḍī rathasattamaḥ

In this way, great king, best of the Kurus, this son of Drupada, both woman and man, came into being: Shikhandi, foremost of chariot-warriors.

Verse 64 (5.192.64)

ज्येष्ठा काशिपतेः कन्या अम्बा नामेति विश्रुता । द्रुपदस्य कुले जाता शिखण्डी भरतर्षभ ॥

jyeṣṭhā kāśipateḥ kanyā ambā nāmeti viśrutā | drupadasya kule jātā śikhaṇḍī bharatarṣabha

The eldest daughter of the king of Kashi, known by the name of Amba, was born in Drupada's family as Shikhandi, bull of the Bharatas.

Verse 65 (5.192.65)

नाहमेनं धनुष्पाणिं युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् । मुहूर्तमपि पश्येयं प्रहरेयं न चाप्युत ॥

nāhamenaṃ dhanuṣpāṇiṃ yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam | muhūrtamapi paśyeyaṃ prahareyaṃ na cāpyuta

When he stands before me, bow in hand and eager to fight, I will not look at him for even a moment, nor will I strike him.

Verse 66 (5.192.66)

व्रतमेतन्मम सदा पृथिव्यामपि विश्रुतम् । स्त्रियां स्त्रीपूर्वके चैव स्त्रीनाम्नि स्त्रीसरूपिणि ॥

vratametanmama sadā pṛthivyāmapi viśrutam | striyāṃ strīpūrvake caiva strīnāmni strīsarūpiṇi

This has always been my vow, and it is known throughout the earth: against a woman, against one who was a woman before, against one with a woman's name or a woman's form,

Verse 67 (5.192.67)

न मुञ्चेयमहं बाणमिति कौरवनन्दन । न हन्यामहमेतेन कारणेन शिखण्डिनम् ॥

na muñceyamahaṃ bāṇamiti kauravanandana | na hanyāmahametena kāraṇena śikhaṇḍinam

I will not loose an arrow, joy of the Kauravas. For this reason I will not kill Shikhandi.

Verse 68 (5.192.68)

एतत्तत्त्वमहं वेद जन्म तात शिखण्डिनः । ततो नैनं हनिष्यामि समरेष्वाततायिनम् ॥

etattattvamahaṃ veda janma tāta śikhaṇḍinaḥ | tato nainaṃ haniṣyāmi samareṣvātatāyinam

I know this truth, my son, the birth of Shikhandi. So I will not kill him in battle, even when he comes at me with weapon raised.

Verse 69 (5.192.69)

यदि भीष्मः स्त्रियं हन्यात्सन्तः कुर्युर्विगर्हणम् । नैनं तस्माद्धनिष्यामि दृष्ट्वापि समरे स्थितम् ॥

yadi bhīṣmaḥ striyaṃ hanyātsantaḥ kuryurvigarhaṇam | nainaṃ tasmāddhaniṣyāmi dṛṣṭvāpi samare sthitam

If Bhishma were to kill a woman, the good would condemn it. Therefore I will not kill him, even when I see him standing on the battlefield.

Verse 70 (5.192.70)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु कौरव्यो राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा । मुहूर्तमिव स ध्यात्वा भीष्मे युक्तममन्यत ॥

etacchrutvā tu kauravyo rājā duryodhanastadā | muhūrtamiva sa dhyātvā bhīṣme yuktamamanyata

Hearing this, King Duryodhana of the Kauravas reflected for a moment and judged that it was proper for Bhishma.

Note on the text: Corrected करव्यो → कौरव्यो (misprint in Wikisource; dropped au-sign, as the critical edition kauravyo). The page heads this verse "वैशंपायन उवाच", kept as printed; the critical edition heads it "saṃjaya uvāca".