Shikhandi: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 2405:204:382:FAAD:2346:B70E:3D1B:D019
Last edited January 4, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Ak 79 (talk | contribs)
87 edits
No edit summary
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata}}
{{short description|Character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| image = Shikhandi.png
| alt = Shikhandi
| caption = An illustration of Shikhandi before her sex-change, c. 1916
| family = [[Drupada]] (father)<br />[[Prishati]] (mother)<br/>[[Dhristadyumna]] (brother)<br />[[Draupadi]] (sister)
| spouse = Unnamed princess of [[Dasarna Kingdom|Dasarna]]
| children = Kshatradeva
| name = Shikhandi
| gender = Woman, later Man<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08006.htm |title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 6 |website=www.sacred-texts.com |access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr=Information
| image              = Kripa and shikhandi.jpg
| alt                = Shikhandi
| caption            = Kripa fights with Shikhandi (top right)
| family            = [[Drupada]] (father)<br />Prishati (mother)<br />[[Characters in the Mahabharata#Satyajit|Satyajit]]<br />[[Dhristadyumna]] (brothers)<br />[[Draupadi]] (sister)
| spouse            = a [[Dasarna Kingdom|Dasarna]] princess
| colour              = #FFC569
| children          = Kshatradeva
| name              = Shikhandi
| gender            = Female turned Male<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08006.htm |title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 6 |website=www.sacred-texts.com |access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>
}}
'''Shikhandi''' ({{lang-sa|शिखण्डी}}, ''{{IAST|Śikhaṇḍī}}'') is an [[Androgyny|androgynous]] character in the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He is born as female called '''Shikandini''' to [[Drupada]], the king of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], and later transforms into a male. He is the brother of [[Draupadi]], the female protagonist of the epic and [[Polyandry in India|common wife]] of the [[Pandava|Pandavas]].
Shikhandi is the [[reincarnation]] of [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], who was scorned by [[Bhishma]]. Shikhandi fought in the [[Kurukshetra war]] for his brothers-in-law, the Pandavas, and was instrumental in the death of Bhishma.


In Javanese [[wayang]] tradition, Shikhandi is known as '''Srikandi''' and is born as a male, and changes into female. She becomes the second wife of the Pandava brother [[Arjuna]]; Draupadi being the first.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dLDWAAAAMAAJ&q=srikandi|title=Studies in Indo-Asian Art and Culture|date=1980|publisher=International Academy of Indian Culture|pages=283|language=en}}</ref><ref>Hartana, S.S., 2017. Origins, journeys, encounters: a cultural analysis of wayang performances in North America (Doctoral dissertation).page=49[http://dspace.library.uvic.ca/bitstream/handle/1828/8047/Hartana_Sutrisno_PhD_2017.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y]</ref>
'''Shikhandi''' ({{langx|sa|शिखण्डी|translit=Śikhaṇḍī}}), whose [[Sex assignment|natal female identity]] is rendered '''Shikhandini''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Śikhaṇḍī |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241956.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> is a character in the [[Hindu]] epic [[Mahabharata]]. Born as the daughter of [[Drupada]], the King of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], Shikhandini becomes male after agreeing to a sex exchange with a [[yaksha]]. He is the brother of [[Draupadi]], who is the [[Polyandry in India|common wife]] of the [[Pandava]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2011-09-28 |title=Shikhandi, Śikhaṇḍi, Śikhaṇḍin, Shikhandin, Śikhaṇḍī, Sikhandī, Shikhamdi, Sikhamdi: 31 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shikhandi |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>


== Past Life ==
Shikhandi is the reincarnation of [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], a princess who was abducted by [[Bhishma]] at a [[swayamvar|svayamvara]] and later spurned by him. The prince fights in the [[Kurukshetra war|Kurukshetra War]] on the side of his brothers-in-law, the Pandavas, and is instrumental in causing the death of Bhishma. He also engages in combat with great warriors like [[Ashwatthama]], [[Kripa]], and [[Kritavarma]].
In the majority of the versions of the Mahabharata,<ref name="Sorabji">Sorabji, Cornelia, and Warwick Goble. Shikhandi: The Maiden-knight and Other Stories. Bombay: Blackie and Son, 1916. Print.</ref> there is the story of Shikhandi being Amba in her previous birth.


Shikhandi had been born in a previous life as a woman named [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]. Amba was the eldest daughter of the [[Kingdom of Kashi|King of Kashi]]. Along with her sisters [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]], she was abducted from their [[Swayamvara]] by [[Bhishma]], as punishment to the [[Kingdom of Kashi]] for not inviting [[Hastinapur]] nobility to the event. After defeating several kings, including [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]], the King of [[Salwa Kingdom|Saubala]], Bhishma returned to Hastinapur with  the princesses and presented as the potential brides to his younger half-brother, [[Vichitravirya]], the crown prince of Hastinapur.<ref name ="SacredTexts">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01068.htm|title = The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section LXVII}}</ref>
In [[Javanese people|Javanese]] [[wayang]] tradition, Shikhandi is known as '''Srikandhi''' and is born as a male, and changes into a female. She becomes the second wife of the Pandava brother [[Arjuna]], and [[Subhadra|Sembadra]] being the first.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dLDWAAAAMAAJ&q=srikandi|title=Studies in Indo-Asian Art and Culture|date=1980|publisher=International Academy of Indian Culture|pages=283|language=en}}</ref><ref>Hartana, S.S., 2017. Origins, journeys, encounters: a cultural analysis of wayang performances in North America (Doctoral dissertation).page=49 [http://dspace.library.uvic.ca/bitstream/handle/1828/8047/Hartana_Sutrisno_PhD_2017.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y]</ref>


Vichitravirya married only two sisters because Amba told Bhishma that she had fallen in love with the king of Salwa, and was not ready to marry anyone else. Hearing this from her, Bhishma sent Amba with grandeur to Saubala. But Salwa rejected her as well, in shame of losing the combat against Bhishma. Amba then returned to Bhishma and demanded that he marry her according to [[Kshatriya]] [[dharma]], but Bhishma declined due to his vow of [[celibacy]]. Enraged at her humiliation, she tried to persuade other kings to wage a war with Bhishma and compel him to wed her. None agreed for they were afraid of incurring the wrath of the great warrior. Amba got [[Parashurama]], Bhishma's [[guru]], to champion her cause. However, not even Parashurama could defeat Bhishma.<ref name="SacredTexts"/>
== Legend ==


According to the summary by [[C. Rajagopalachari]], she resorted to [[penance]] and received a garland of blue lotuses from [[Kartikeya|Lord Kartikeya]] and it was foretold that anyone wearing the garland would become the cause of Bhishma's death. She went to the [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchal]], as they were a mighty empire known for its military prowess. However, no one was willing to champion her cause, fearful of antagonizing Bhishma. Amba, in anger, hung the garland on the gates of King [[Drupada]] and left in agony.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rajagopalachari |first=Raja |date=1951 |title=Mahabharata |url=https://archive.org/details/mahabharta00craj|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |page=[https://archive.org/details/mahabharta00craj/page/22 22]}}</ref>
=== Previous birth ===
{{Main|Amba (Mahabharata)}}
In the majority of the versions of the Mahabharata,<ref name="Sorabji">Sorabji, Cornelia, and Warwick Goble. Shikhandi: The Maiden-knight and Other Stories. Bombay: Blackie and Son, 1916. Print.</ref> Shikhandi is described as being a princess named Amba in his previous birth. Amba was the eldest daughter of the [[Kingdom of Kashi|King of Kashi]]. Along with her sisters, [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]], she was won by Bhishma at their [[Swayamvara|svayamvara]]. After defeating several kings, including King [[List of characters in the Mahabharata|Salva]], Bhishma returned to Hastinapura with the princesses, and presented them as brides to his younger half-brother, [[Vichitravirya]], the king.<ref name="SacredTexts">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01068.htm|title = The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section LXVII}}</ref>


Amba did severe penance to [[Lord Shiva]] for a boon to cause Bhishma's death. Eventually, her prayers were answered. But, being a woman with no military training, she asked Shiva how she would accomplish her task, and he responded that her future incarnation would be the one to actually bring about Bhishma's demise. Eager to bring this about, Amba killed herself; in some versions of the story to explain the time gap between the abduction at Kashi and the [[Kurukshetra war]], Amba keeps on killing herself until she is incarnated into a satisfactory situation.<ref name=" Pattanaik">Pattanaik, Devdutt. Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don't Tell You. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print</ref> Amba was reborn as Shikhandini, the daughter of Drupada.
Before her wedding ceremony could commence, Amba told Bhishma that she had fallen in love with the King of Salva, and was not ready to marry anyone else. Hearing this from her, Bhishma sent Amba with grandeur to her desired husband. However, Salva rejected her, stating that as Bhishma had bested him at the svayamvara, he regarded him to be her rightful husband. Amba returned to Bhishma and demanded that he marry her according to [[Kshatriya]] [[dharma]], but Bhishma declined, due to his vow of celibacy. Lamenting her misfortune, the princess decided to retire to the forest and practise austerities for the remainder of her life. As she wandered, she came across an [[ashram]]a, and informed the sages within of her plight. One of the sages happened to be maternal grandfather, Hotravahana, who sympathised with her state of mind, and told her that [[Parashurama]], Bhishma's martial guru, would come to her aid. Parashurama visited Hastinapura, and commanded his disciple to marry Amba. Bhishma refused to obey him, once again citing his vow. Furious, Parashurama engaged in a terrible duel against Bhishma on the field of [[Kurukshetra]] for twenty-three days, employing [[Astra (weapon)|astras]], but was unable to best him. He regretfully informed Amba of his failure to change his mind. The princess spent twelve years engaged in severe austerities, which scorched the heavens themselves. Shiva appeared to grant her a boon of her choice, and she solicited the death of Bhishma. Shiva told Amba that she would be born as a girl who would later become a man in her next life, and become a [[Maharathi (warrior)|maharathi]] who would slay Bhishma in battle. Overjoyed, the princess lit a funeral pyre, prayed for the death of Bhishma, and [[Self-immolation|self-immolated]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-01-09 |title=Bhishma Battles Parashurama [Chapter 4] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118370.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>


==Gender==
According to an iteration by [[C. Rajagopalachari]], she resorted to a penance and received a garland of blue lotuses from the god [[Kartikeya]], and it was foretold that anyone wearing the garland would become the cause of Bhishma's death. She went to the [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], as it were a mighty empire known for its military prowess. However, no one was willing to champion her cause, fearful of antagonising Bhishma. Amba, in anger, hung the garland on the gates of King [[Drupada]] and left in agony.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rajagopalachari |first=Raja |date=1951 |title=Mahabharata |url=https://archive.org/details/mahabharta00craj|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |page=[https://archive.org/details/mahabharta00craj/page/22 22]}}</ref>


In early versions of the Mahabharata, Shikhandi is still Amba-reborn, but a female. Because [[Panchala]] doesn't practice [[gender discrimination]], she is trained to become a warrior and fight in the [[Kurukshetra War]] (this being the original reason why Amba kills herself, again and again, wanting to be born to a culture that will allow her to fight Bhishma).
=== Sex exchange ===
In most versions of the story, Shikhandi is male but born female. When Shikhandini changes her sex, she becomes Shikhandi, but is a [[eunuch]].<ref name="Sorabji"/> According to C. Rajagopalachari's Mahabharata, when Shikhandini was still living as a young woman she discovered the garland of ever-blooming blue lotuses hung on the palace gate. Shikhandini put it around her neck. When [[Drupada]] saw his child wearing the garland, he became fearful of becoming [[Bhishma]]'s enemy and Shikhandini was banished from the kingdom. She performed austerities in the forest and was transformed into a male named Shikhandi.<ref>[http://www.mahabharataonline.com/rajaji/mahabharata_summary_5.php Mahabharata Summary By Rajaji, Mahabharata Stories, Stories and Characters from Mahabharata, Mahabharatam in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Due to his childlessness, King Drupada propitiated Shiva, who told the king that a girl would be born to him, who in due course, would become a man. When Shikhandi was born to Drupada's queen, she was raised and dressed as a boy. When Shikhandi reached the traditional age of maturity, Drupada decided to offer her hand in marriage to the daughter of Hiranyavarman, the King of Dasharna. Shikhandi's wife soon realised that her husband was not a man, and Hiranyavarman soon caught wind of this information. Outraged, he sent a messenger to Drupada to determine the truth, and started preparations for war with the latter. Drupada insisted that Shikhandi was indeed a man. Distressed by her parents' suffering, Shikhandi left the city, deciding to fast to death. She found a forest that humans were terrified to enter, because it was inhabited by a [[yaksha]] named Stunakarna. She entered the premises of the yaksha, and started to perform austerities. When Stunakarna enquired regarding her practices, Shikhandi told him her tale. Feeling compassionate, the yaksha offered to exchange his sex with her for a certain period of time, to which Shikhandi agreed. Shikhandi returned to his father as a man, and informed him of this incident. Relieved, Drupada invited Hiranyavarman to send envoys to inspect the manhood of his son. A number of women were dispatched by Hiranyavarman to Drupada, who confirmed Shikhandi's manhood. Thus, the two kings were able to renew their peace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-01-09 |title=Bhishma Assesses the Heroes and Reveals Shikhandi's Mysterious Birth [Chapter 6] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118411.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>


In another version of the story, Drupada desires an heir and wanders the forest to settle his disquieted mind. He comes upon the toddler Shikhandini. When Drupada picks her up, a heavenly voice tells Drupada to raise her as a man. Drupada raised his daughter as a son and had Shikhandini married to a princess of [[Dasharna]]. She complained to her father, [[Hiranyavarna]], that her husband was a woman. When the king sent people to check this fact, Shikhandini panicked and escaped into a forest, where she met a [[Yaksha]] who exchanged his sex with her. The Yaksha King sees the Yaksha as a girl and curses him that he will remain in the form till Shikhandi dies, keeping the sex-swap in place.<ref>[http://www.urday.in/satyavati.htm MAHABHARAT: The king of Kashi's three beautiful daughters, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812010534/http://www.urday.in/satyavati.htm|date=12 August 2012}}</ref> In many versions of the story, the change results in Shikhandi being a eunuch; in others, it doesn't.<ref>Gāḍīta, Jayanta. Shikhandi. Ahmedabad: Parshwa, 1990. Print.</ref>
When [[Kubera]] visited Stunakarna's premises, the yaksha did not greet him due to her female form. Angered, Kubera cursed the yaksha, stating that the sex exchange that had been performed would be permanent. When the yaksha begged Kubera to lift the curse, the latter told her that she would regain her birth sex after the death of Shikhandi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Ambā |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241375.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>


In some versions of the story, Amba is simply reborn as a male Shikhandi, sometimes whole and sometimes a eunuch. In even other versions, Shikhandi is a male but transgender, due to Shiva's boon that Amba will remember all the details of her past life.<ref name="Pattanaik"/>
=== Kurukshetra War ===
[[File:Kripa and shikhandi.jpg|thumb|Shikhandi fights Kripa.]]
Before the [[Kurukshetra War]], [[Bhima]] opts for Shikhandi to be the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army, as he was born to kill [[Bhishma]], but [[Arjuna]] and [[Krishna]] prefer [[Dhrishtadyumna]] instead. Shikhandi is made the commander of one of the seven [[akshauhini]]s of the Pandava army.


In the Ganguly translation of the Chatahurdi compilation, Shikhandi had a son named Kshatradeva.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08006.htm|title = The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 6}}</ref>
On the first day of the war, Shikhandi confronts [[Ashwatthama]], and both warriors wound each other several times, before withdrawing from the battle. On the seventh day of the war, he confronts Ashwatthama again, and manages to wound him on the forehead. However, an enraged Ashwatthama destroys his chariot, and wounds him badly. Luckily, [[Satyaki]] comes to his rescue.


== Battle of Mahabharata ==
On the night of the ninth day of battle, after a decisive defeat, the [[Pandavas]] and Krishna visit [[Bhishma]]. [[Yudhishthira]] urges the grandsire to tell them how he may be slain, to prevent the devastating loss of Kshatriya lives. Bhishma informs them that it was impossible for him to be vanquished while he wielded arms; However, he would refuse to fight Shikhandi, since he was originally a woman, and Arjuna may vanquish him when he lays down his arms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-01-09 |title=The Ninth Day of the Great Battle; The Invincible Bhishma [Chapter 9] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118439.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> So, in the next day's fight, Shikhandi rides with Arjuna, placed in the forefront of the Pandava forces. Numerous warriors of the [[Kaurava]] army attempt to stop the pair from reaching Bhishma. However, with the assault of the warriors of the Pandava army, Arjuna and Shikhandi push through, and reach Bhishma. Riding behind Shikhandi, Arjuna attacks Bhishma with a devastating volley of hundreds of arrows, the latter is unable to counter, with Shikhandi in the way. Bhishma falls from his chariot and his role in the war ends, giving up his life on the auspicious [[Uttarayana|Uttaryana]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-01-09 |title=The Tenth Day of Hostilities; The Fall of the Grandsire Bhishma [Chapter 10] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118440.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Bhishma refuses to fight with Shikandi.jpg|thumb|204x204px|Bhishma refuses to fight Shikhandi]]


In the battle of [[Kurukshetra]], Bhishma recognized him as Amba reborn, and not wanting to fight a "woman" (or an actual woman, depending on the version), avoided battling Shikhandi. On the tenth day, many warriors of [[Kaurava]] Army attacked and wounded Shikhandi and some stopped the Pandavas. [[Drona]] stopped Arjuna, [[Duryodhana]] stopped [[Bhima]], [[Shalya]] stopped [[Yudhishthira]], [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Vrikaasura|Vrikaasur]] stopped [[Nakula]]  and [[Uluka]] stopped [[Sahadeva]]. Firstly, [[Ashwatthama]] attacked Shikhandi but [[Drupada]] took him, then [[Dussasana]] attacked Shikhandi but [[Dhrishtadyumna]] took him and at last [[Shakuni]] attacked and stabbed Shikhandi but [[Virata]] stopped him. Later, wounded Shikhandi rides in Arjuna's chariot, and together, they face Bhishma, forcing him to lower his weapons. Knowing that this would happen, [[Arjuna]] hid behind Shikhandi and attacked Bhishma with a devastating volley of arrows. Thus, Shikhandi was instrumental in Bhishma's death.  
On the twelfth day of the war, Shikhandi's only son, Kshatradeva, is injured by Duryodhana’s son, [[Lakshmana Kumara]]. On the night of fourteenth day, Shikhandi is defeated by [[Kripacharya]] and is wounded on the sixteenth day, and faints when [[Kritavarma]]'s arrow pierces his armour. After the death of [[Shalya]], Shikhandi greatly destroys the retreating Kaurava army on the seventeenth day of the war.


Shikhandi and the [[Upapandavas]] were finally killed by Ashwatthama on the 18th day of battle. Dazed and confused, Shikhandi is killed in a sword fight with Ashwatthama when Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritaverma attacked the Pandava camp on the eve of the final day of battle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.urday.in/mafterbattle.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617051445/http://www.urday.in/mafterbattle.htm |archive-date=17 June 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> According to mythological fantasy book writter [[Devdutt Pattanaik]], Ashwatthama kills Shikhandi's lover (male or female) in front of him; in other versions, it is Shikhandini's partner (male/female) who is butchered.<ref name="Pattanaik"/>
Shikhandi, along with the [[Upapandavas]], are killed/injured by Ashwatthama on the 18th day of the war. Dazed, Shikhandi is injured in a sword fight with Ashwatthama when Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and [[Kritavarma]] attacked the Pandava camp at night and later sucumbs to his wounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.urday.in/mafterbattle.htm |title=MAHABHARATA - After the Battle |access-date=2012-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617051445/http://www.urday.in/mafterbattle.htm |archive-date=17 June 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 53: Line 51:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.mahabharataonline.com/ Summary and Complete translation of Mahabharata]
*[http://www.mahabharataonline.com/ Summary and Complete translation of Mahabharata]
*[http://devdutt.com/articles/mahabharata/on-krishnas-chariot-stands-shikhandi.html On Krishna’s chariot stands Shikhandi]
*[http://devdutt.com/articles/mahabharata/on-krishnas-chariot-stands-shikhandi.html On Krishna’s chariot stands Shikhandi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409224408/http://devdutt.com/articles/mahabharata/on-krishnas-chariot-stands-shikhandi.html |date=9 April 2016 }}
*[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48449482-shikhandini---warrior-princess-of-the-mahabharata On Shikhandini's life], book by Ashwini Shenoy
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4WFnIJIZyEC&q=amba Shikhandini]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4WFnIJIZyEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=mahabharat&hl=en&ei=YAFITfjDN8XSrQfl883CBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=twopage&q=amba&f=false Shikhandini]


{{Mahābhārata}}
{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{HinduMythology}}


[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:People of the Kurukshetra War]]
[[Category:Androgynous characters in Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Androgynous characters in Mahabharata]]

Latest revision as of 23:29, 4 January 2026


Shikhandi
Shikhandi
An illustration of Shikhandi before her sex-change, c. 1916
Information
GenderWoman, later Man[1]
FamilyDrupada (father)
Prishati (mother)
Dhristadyumna (brother)
Draupadi (sister)
SpouseUnnamed princess of Dasarna
ChildrenKshatradeva

Shikhandi (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), whose natal female identity is rendered Shikhandini,[2] is a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Born as the daughter of Drupada, the King of Panchala, Shikhandini becomes male after agreeing to a sex exchange with a yaksha. He is the brother of Draupadi, who is the common wife of the Pandavas.[3]

Shikhandi is the reincarnation of Amba, a princess who was abducted by Bhishma at a svayamvara and later spurned by him. The prince fights in the Kurukshetra War on the side of his brothers-in-law, the Pandavas, and is instrumental in causing the death of Bhishma. He also engages in combat with great warriors like Ashwatthama, Kripa, and Kritavarma.

In Javanese wayang tradition, Shikhandi is known as Srikandhi and is born as a male, and changes into a female. She becomes the second wife of the Pandava brother Arjuna, and Sembadra being the first.[4][5]

Legend[edit | edit source]

Previous birth[edit | edit source]

Main article: Amba (Mahabharata)

In the majority of the versions of the Mahabharata,[6] Shikhandi is described as being a princess named Amba in his previous birth. Amba was the eldest daughter of the King of Kashi. Along with her sisters, Ambika and Ambalika, she was won by Bhishma at their svayamvara. After defeating several kings, including King Salva, Bhishma returned to Hastinapura with the princesses, and presented them as brides to his younger half-brother, Vichitravirya, the king.[7]

Before her wedding ceremony could commence, Amba told Bhishma that she had fallen in love with the King of Salva, and was not ready to marry anyone else. Hearing this from her, Bhishma sent Amba with grandeur to her desired husband. However, Salva rejected her, stating that as Bhishma had bested him at the svayamvara, he regarded him to be her rightful husband. Amba returned to Bhishma and demanded that he marry her according to Kshatriya dharma, but Bhishma declined, due to his vow of celibacy. Lamenting her misfortune, the princess decided to retire to the forest and practise austerities for the remainder of her life. As she wandered, she came across an ashrama, and informed the sages within of her plight. One of the sages happened to be maternal grandfather, Hotravahana, who sympathised with her state of mind, and told her that Parashurama, Bhishma's martial guru, would come to her aid. Parashurama visited Hastinapura, and commanded his disciple to marry Amba. Bhishma refused to obey him, once again citing his vow. Furious, Parashurama engaged in a terrible duel against Bhishma on the field of Kurukshetra for twenty-three days, employing astras, but was unable to best him. He regretfully informed Amba of his failure to change his mind. The princess spent twelve years engaged in severe austerities, which scorched the heavens themselves. Shiva appeared to grant her a boon of her choice, and she solicited the death of Bhishma. Shiva told Amba that she would be born as a girl who would later become a man in her next life, and become a maharathi who would slay Bhishma in battle. Overjoyed, the princess lit a funeral pyre, prayed for the death of Bhishma, and self-immolated.[8]

According to an iteration by C. Rajagopalachari, she resorted to a penance and received a garland of blue lotuses from the god Kartikeya, and it was foretold that anyone wearing the garland would become the cause of Bhishma's death. She went to the Panchala, as it were a mighty empire known for its military prowess. However, no one was willing to champion her cause, fearful of antagonising Bhishma. Amba, in anger, hung the garland on the gates of King Drupada and left in agony.[9]

Sex exchange[edit | edit source]

Due to his childlessness, King Drupada propitiated Shiva, who told the king that a girl would be born to him, who in due course, would become a man. When Shikhandi was born to Drupada's queen, she was raised and dressed as a boy. When Shikhandi reached the traditional age of maturity, Drupada decided to offer her hand in marriage to the daughter of Hiranyavarman, the King of Dasharna. Shikhandi's wife soon realised that her husband was not a man, and Hiranyavarman soon caught wind of this information. Outraged, he sent a messenger to Drupada to determine the truth, and started preparations for war with the latter. Drupada insisted that Shikhandi was indeed a man. Distressed by her parents' suffering, Shikhandi left the city, deciding to fast to death. She found a forest that humans were terrified to enter, because it was inhabited by a yaksha named Stunakarna. She entered the premises of the yaksha, and started to perform austerities. When Stunakarna enquired regarding her practices, Shikhandi told him her tale. Feeling compassionate, the yaksha offered to exchange his sex with her for a certain period of time, to which Shikhandi agreed. Shikhandi returned to his father as a man, and informed him of this incident. Relieved, Drupada invited Hiranyavarman to send envoys to inspect the manhood of his son. A number of women were dispatched by Hiranyavarman to Drupada, who confirmed Shikhandi's manhood. Thus, the two kings were able to renew their peace.[10]

When Kubera visited Stunakarna's premises, the yaksha did not greet him due to her female form. Angered, Kubera cursed the yaksha, stating that the sex exchange that had been performed would be permanent. When the yaksha begged Kubera to lift the curse, the latter told her that she would regain her birth sex after the death of Shikhandi.[11]

Kurukshetra War[edit | edit source]

Shikhandi fights Kripa.

Before the Kurukshetra War, Bhima opts for Shikhandi to be the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army, as he was born to kill Bhishma, but Arjuna and Krishna prefer Dhrishtadyumna instead. Shikhandi is made the commander of one of the seven akshauhinis of the Pandava army.

On the first day of the war, Shikhandi confronts Ashwatthama, and both warriors wound each other several times, before withdrawing from the battle. On the seventh day of the war, he confronts Ashwatthama again, and manages to wound him on the forehead. However, an enraged Ashwatthama destroys his chariot, and wounds him badly. Luckily, Satyaki comes to his rescue.

On the night of the ninth day of battle, after a decisive defeat, the Pandavas and Krishna visit Bhishma. Yudhishthira urges the grandsire to tell them how he may be slain, to prevent the devastating loss of Kshatriya lives. Bhishma informs them that it was impossible for him to be vanquished while he wielded arms; However, he would refuse to fight Shikhandi, since he was originally a woman, and Arjuna may vanquish him when he lays down his arms.[12] So, in the next day's fight, Shikhandi rides with Arjuna, placed in the forefront of the Pandava forces. Numerous warriors of the Kaurava army attempt to stop the pair from reaching Bhishma. However, with the assault of the warriors of the Pandava army, Arjuna and Shikhandi push through, and reach Bhishma. Riding behind Shikhandi, Arjuna attacks Bhishma with a devastating volley of hundreds of arrows, the latter is unable to counter, with Shikhandi in the way. Bhishma falls from his chariot and his role in the war ends, giving up his life on the auspicious Uttaryana.[13]

On the twelfth day of the war, Shikhandi's only son, Kshatradeva, is injured by Duryodhana’s son, Lakshmana Kumara. On the night of fourteenth day, Shikhandi is defeated by Kripacharya and is wounded on the sixteenth day, and faints when Kritavarma's arrow pierces his armour. After the death of Shalya, Shikhandi greatly destroys the retreating Kaurava army on the seventeenth day of the war.

Shikhandi, along with the Upapandavas, are killed/injured by Ashwatthama on the 18th day of the war. Dazed, Shikhandi is injured in a sword fight with Ashwatthama when Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritavarma attacked the Pandava camp at night and later sucumbs to his wounds.[14]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 6". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  2. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (28 January 2019). "Story of Śikhaṇḍī". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  3. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (28 September 2011). "Shikhandi, Śikhaṇḍi, Śikhaṇḍin, Shikhandin, Śikhaṇḍī, Sikhandī, Shikhamdi, Sikhamdi: 31 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  4. ↑ Studies in Indo-Asian Art and Culture. International Academy of Indian Culture. 1980. p. 283.
  5. ↑ Hartana, S.S., 2017. Origins, journeys, encounters: a cultural analysis of wayang performances in North America (Doctoral dissertation).page=49 [1]
  6. ↑ Sorabji, Cornelia, and Warwick Goble. Shikhandi: The Maiden-knight and Other Stories. Bombay: Blackie and Son, 1916. Print.
  7. ↑ "The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section LXVII".
  8. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (9 January 2015). "Bhishma Battles Parashurama [Chapter 4]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Rajagopalachari, Raja (1951). Mahabharata. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 22.
  10. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (9 January 2015). "Bhishma Assesses the Heroes and Reveals Shikhandi's Mysterious Birth [Chapter 6]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  11. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (28 January 2019). "Story of Ambā". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  12. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (9 January 2015). "The Ninth Day of the Great Battle; The Invincible Bhishma [Chapter 9]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  13. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (9 January 2015). "The Tenth Day of Hostilities; The Fall of the Grandsire Bhishma [Chapter 10]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  14. ↑ "MAHABHARATA - After the Battle". Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Mahābhārata

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shikhandi&oldid=473237"
Discover more