Mahabharat story: There are four types of Vedas in Hinduism (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda), in which Mahabharata is considered the fifth Veda. Also, it is a useful and relevant book related to all aspects.
There are many interesting and mysterious characters in the Mahabharata story. Shikhandi was also one of them. However, very few people know about Shikhandi. It is said that Shikhandi was the cause of death of Bhishma Pitamah. But the thing that is discussed most about Shikhandi is his ‘gender’. Actually Shikhandi was born as a girl, but then he becomes a man. Not only this, he is also married to a girl only. But how did this happen, let us know the whole story.
Who was Shikhandi?
Shikhandi was born in Panchal country to King Drupada. He was born as a girl. But at this very moment a voice came from the sky and the king raised him like a child. Even though she was brought up like a boy, she was actually a girl. The king got him married to a girl. But when his wife came to know his truth, she left Shikhandi.
When Shikhandi’s father-in-law came to know her truth, he threatened to kill her. After threats from his in-laws and the departure of his wife, Shikhandi took the step of suicide and headed towards the forest. But just as he was about to commit suicide, a Yaksha named Sthunakarn appeared and lent his manhood to Shikhandi and said, when your work is completed, return my manhood to me.
But Yaksharaj did not like this and cursed the Yaksha that as long as Shikhandi was alive, he would not get his manhood back. Shikhandi was very happy after attaining manhood and returned to his city. Seeing Shikhandi in male form, King Drupada and his father-in-law King Hiranyavarma were very happy.
Why did Bhishma refuse to fight with Shikhandi?
The war of Mahabharata lasted for 18 days in the land of Kurukshetra, every day of which was important. This war took place between Kauravas and Pandavas. When Duryodhana took information about the main warriors of the Pandavas from Bhishma Pitamah, Bhishma Pitamah told him everything in detail. But he also said that, he would not fight a war with one of these people. Then asked Duryodhana his name. Bhishma said, his name is ‘Shikhandi’.
Duryodhana asked Bhishma the reason for not fighting the war with Shikhandi. Bhishma said that Shikhandi was a woman in her previous birth and in this birth also she was born as a girl. Therefore I will not fight a war with him, because religion does not allow me to bear arms against women.
Shikhandi was a princess in her previous life.
Shikhandi was a princess in her previous birth, whose name was Amba. When Amba was having her Swayambar, Bhishma had kidnapped her. Because Bhishma wanted to get her married to his brother Vichitravirya. When Amba protested against this, Bhishma left her. But Amba wanted to take revenge from Bhishma. Amba took the help of Parashuram to take revenge from Bhishma. But even Parashuram could not defeat Bhishma. Then Amba did penance to Lord Shiva and Shiva gave her a boon that it is not possible to take revenge from Bhishma in this life, but in the next life you will become the cause of Bhishma’s death. In the next birth, Amba was born as Shikhandi.
How did Shikhandi become the cause of Bhishma’s death?
It is said that Bhishma Pitamah had the boon of euthanasia. Then how did Shikhandi become the cause of his death, let us know. The war of Mahabharata lasted for 18 days. On the tenth day of the war, Shri Krishna along with Arjun reached before Bhishma with Shikhandi. As soon as Bhishma saw Shikhandi, he put down his weapons. He said that he cannot attack a woman. Then Krishna said, but Shikhandi has been brought up as a man and he also has manliness.
Even after Krishna’s explanation, Bhishma did not attack Shikhandi. Then Krishna asked Shikhandi to attack Bhishma and he pierced Bhishma’s body with his bow and arrows. But even after this Bhishma Pitamah did not die, because he had the blessing of euthanasia. Due to this, Bhishma Pitamah lay on the bed of arrows for many months and sacrificed his life after Surya Uttarayan.
How did Shikhandi die?
It is said that, after the end of Mahabharata war, Ashwatthama attacked the camp of Pandavas. Ashwatthama killed Shikhandi while he was sleeping in the camp.
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