Chapter 194

“Bhishma said. ‘Then, O mighty-armed king, Sikhandin’s mother representedunto her lord the truth about her daughter, Sikhandin. And she said,’Childless, O great king, as I was, from fear of my co-wives, whenSikhandini, my daughter, was born, I represented unto you that it was ason! For thy love of me, thou also hadst corroborated it, and, O bullamong kings, thou hadst performed all the rites prescribed for a son inrespect of this daughter of mine! Thou then didst marry her, O king, tothe daughter of the king of the Dasarnakas. 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!’Hearing all this, Drupada, otherwise called Yajnasena, informed all hiscounsellors of these facts. And, O monarch, the king then took counselwith ministers for the proper protection of his subjects (from thewould-be invader). Although he had himself deceived the king of theDasarnakas, yet giving it out that the alliance he had made was proper,he began to settle his plans with undivided attention. King Drupada’scity was, O Bharata, naturally well-protected. Yet at the advent ofdanger, O monarch, they began to protect it all the more carefully andfortify it (with defensive works). The king, however, with his queen, wasgreatly afflicted, thinking of how a war might not take place with hisbrother. Reflecting on this, he began to pay his adorations to the gods.His respected wife, beholding him relying on the god and paying hisadorations to them, than addressed him, O king, and said, ‘Homage to thegods is productive of benefits! It is, therefore, approved by therighteous. What shall I say, again, of those that are sunk in an ocean ofdistress? Therefore, pay homage to those that are thy superiors and letall the gods also be worshipped, making large presents the while (untothe Brahmanas)! Let oblations be poured on the fire for pacifying theruler of the Dasarnakas. O lord, think of the means by which, without awar, thou mayst be able to pacify thy brother! Through the grace of thegods all this will happen. For the preservation of this city, O thou oflarge eyes, thou hast taken counsel with thy ministers. Do all, O king,that those counsels seem to indicate, for reliance on the gods, whensupported by human exertion, always, O king, leadeth to success, If thesetwo do not go hand-in-hand, success becometh unattainable. 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.’ While husbandand wife were conversing with each other thus, both filled with grief,their helpless daughter, Sikhandini, was filled with shame. She thenreflected, saying, ‘It is for me that these two are plunged into grief!’Thinking so, she resolved upon putting an end to her own life. Havingformed this determination, she left home, filled with heavy sorrow, andwent into a dense and solitary forest that was the haunt, O king, of avery formidable Yaksha called Sthunakarna. From fear of that Yaksha mennever went into that forest. And within it stood a mansion with highwalls and a gateway, plastered over with powdered earth, and rich withsmoke bearing the fragrance of fried paddy. Entering that mansion,Sikhandini, the daughter of Drupada, O king, began to reduce herself byforegoing all food for many days. Thereupon, the Yaksha named Sthuna, whowas endued with kindness, showed himself unto her. And he enquired ofher, saying, ‘For what object is this endeavour of thine? I willaccomplish it, tell me without delay!’ Thus asked, the maiden answeredhim, repeatedly saying, ‘Thou art unable to accomplish it!’ The Guhyaka,however, rejoined, without a moment’s delay, saying, ‘Accomplish it Iwill! I am a follower of the Lord of treasures, I can, O princess, grantboons! I will grant thee even that which cannot be given! Tell me whatthou hast to say!’ Thus assured, Sikhandini represented in detaileverything that had happened, unto that chief of Yakshas calledSthunakarna. And she said, ‘My father, O Yaksha, will soon meet withdestruction. The ruler of the Dasarnakas marcheth against him in rage.That king eased in golden mail is endued with great might and greatcourage. Therefore, O Yaksha, save me, my mother, and my father! Indeed,thou hast already pledged thyself to relieve my distress! Through thygrace, O Yaksha, I would become a perfect man! As long as that king maynot depart from my city, so long, O great Yaksha, show me grace, OGuhyaka!'”