The Entire and Complete Story of Shikhandi

The Amazing and Complete History of Amba's transformation into the great Shikhandi.

Shikhandi's Story

Yudhisthira was astonished by the secrets his mother had revealed. He organized a party to attend to

the funereal rites of his vanquished brother Karna. And when the proper ceremonial rituals had been 

performed, the Pandavas gathered once again to go to the place where the great Bhishma still lay 

impaled on a bed of thousands of arrows.

Bhishma impaled.

They asked him to continue his narrative where he had left off. 

Bhishma began:

"Amba had renounced everything and had begun the most severe austerities, living only on fresh water and air. One day, the Lord Shiva, carrying his trident and riding a great bull, appeared before her. Lord Shiva asked her, “What would you have from me?” Amba, telling Lord Shiva her story, said, “As a woman, I have no longer any desire. I am, however, resolved to become a man and revenge myself on Bhiṣma.”     

"Shiva promised her..."

Finally, Shiva promised her, “You shall slay him, but not in this lifetime. You must build a fire and enter into it. In your next life you will remember all the sorrow that Bhiṣma caused you and you shall be born as a man. You shall be born as the son of Drupada and become a Maharatha, expert in the use of weapons. A fierce warrior, skilled in battle you shall cause the death of Bhiṣma.”     

"You shall cause the death of Bhishma..."

   

AMBA ENTERS THE FIRE

With these words, Shiva, disappeared from before Amba. Amba, heartened by his promise, and 

determined to carry out his orders built a large funeral pyre on the banks of the Yamuna River. 

Setting  fire to the wood, she watched it burn until the flames were hot and high. Calmly, her veins 

filled with the ice water of cold revenge, Amba entered into the heart of the fire and felt the flames 

licking higher and higher until she was consumed. As her rage burned with the fire, she screamed her 

final words as an earthly woman, “Death to Bhiṣma!”

"Death to Bhishma!"

And so it was that by dint of her great penances and austerities, and through the intercession of Lord 

Shiva, Amba was to take birth in a kshatriya family as a great warrior. 

Bhiṣma said, “Now When Droṇa had  defeated the King of Panchala with the help of you, his students helped by Arjuna, the Pandavas and Karna and Duryodhana and his brothers, he was overjoyed by his victory. "

At this time it would have been better for him to have killed his old friend and taken possession of the kingdom. It was true that Droṇa was a curious mixture of brahmaṇa culture and kshatriya power. Having conquered the kingdom of his friend, he rejoiced, but he really wished no injury to Drupada. All he really wanted was to be accepted by his old friend. So, when the Pandavas brought Drupada before him, bound as a prisoner, Droṇa said to the kneeling Drupada: “Now we are equals. I take from you half the kingdom. As we share an equal amount of kingdom, we are now equals and according to your logic, we can be friends.”

"Now we are true equals. Let us join hands in friendship."

Then cutting his bonds and freeing Drupada, Droṇa said, “Let us be friends.” He took his hand in friendship. Drupada also extended his hand in friendship and smiled, but inwardly, he was enraged. As soon as Droṇa and the Pandavas returned victorious to Hastinapura, 

Drupada began planning his revenge. He prayed for a son who could destroy and humiliate Droṇa. He knew my own downfall was key to the destruction of Drona, so he prayed for a child who would be my death. Later, he would become father to the fire-born Draupadi and Dristadyumna.

Drupada swore revenge against Drona and Bhishma

“And so it was that Drupada went to his wife, the Queen, saying, ‘O goddess, you shall be blessed. I have undergone great penances and austerities, worshiping Lord Shiva. Finally he told me that we shall have a child, who, first being born as a daughter, shall later become a man: A great warrior who will avenge us by becoming the destruction of Bhishma.

 In course of time that lady was with child and soon gave birth in secret to a daughter of great beauty, Shikhandini. 

Drupada kept the secret of his daughters birth and announced to the court and the kingdom that his wife, the Queen had given birth to a male child. He dressed the child as a boy and performed all the proper rituals prescribed for a male son.

Shikhandi: Bhishma's Nemesis

as retold by B.V. Mahayogi

"Drupada pledged friendship but swore revenge against his rival, Drona..."

Bhishma continued, "Drupada began worshipping Shankara, the Lord of destruction, praying for my destruction and the destruction of all those in my line. He began practicing severe penances and austerities. His wife had no child and Drupada prayed for a son who would be my destruction, for after all, I had allowed Droṇa to enter the court of Hastinapura. After a time, Shiva blessed him saying, ‘You shall have a child who will be both son and daughter. It is destiny.’

"Shiva blessed him..."

“All this I learned later through my spies,” said the dying Bhishma as continued.

" Drupada’s queen also treated the child as a boy, so that none in the kingdom knew the secret. In this way the child was named Sikhandi.

"The child was named Shikhandi..."

 "I learned the truth from my spies among the court of the queen, for many of the queen’s ladies in waiting were favorable to me.

Bhishma said, “ I alone knew that finally Amba had been born again as the child of Drona’s rival, Drupada, who had sworn to kill me. In this manner they sowed the seeds of revenge which would later be my destruction to finally leave me here, pierced with arrows from head to toe as you now see me.

“Drupada was a great teacher and taught his daughter writing, painting and all the arts. Later she was sent, dressed as a young prince to learn the art of war from Droṇa himself, who fancied himself a great friend of the man who burned for revenge against him. Finally when Sikhandi was of age, other kings and princes began to think of giving their daughter in marriage, perceiving Sikhandi to be a handsome and qualified young man.

"Princes began to think of giving their daughter in marriage..."

Drupada often wondered at the words of Shiva. He was perplexed and told his wife, “Now our daughter is at the age of marriage. We must marry Sikhandi. Lord Shiva prophesied that our child though born female would later become a man. I don’t understand. Would Shiva lie to us? Why hasn’t Sikhandi become a man? If we marry Sikhandi to the daughter of another king, there will be a great scandal when they discover Shikhandi’s true nature.”

The Queen reassured him, “Shiva never lies. Sikhandi must become a man. We can go ahead with the marriage. I’m sure the transformation will take place before the wedding night. We must trust Shiva.” Drupada relented on hearing his wifes words.

“They entered into the marriage negotiations with the king of the Dasarnakas, Hiranyavarman, who offered his daughter to be Shikhandi’s wife. And the wedding took place, but still Sikhandi had not been transformed.

"The wedding bed has no secrets..."

So it was that Shikhandi’s wife came to understand that Sikhandi was a woman, for the wedding bed has no secrets. Shocked and scandalized, she returned to her father, the king of the Dasarnakas. She was very shy to complain about Shikhandi’s true nature, but her mother and all the ladies of the court soon discovered the truth and complained to the king.

"She discovered the truth and complained to the king...."

“The king was filled with wrath that his daughter had married an imposter and decided to make war on Drupada. He sent private messengers to Drupada to make him explain this insult. Drupada sent messengers to the King saying that there was some misunderstanding, that it was impossible to trust the word of so young a girl, that perhaps some joke was being played by King Hiryanyavarman’s daughter.  Hiranyavarman still prepared his troops for war. He was determined to know the truth about Sikhandi. If Drupada had lied to him he was determined to march against him, drag him from his city and install another king over the Panchalas; after executing Drupada for being a liar and Sikhandi for being a fraud.

"I was ready to enter an alliance with Hiranyavarman..."

"I, of course, was ready to enter as an ally with Hiranyavarman, knowing that Sikhandi would be my downfall if not stopped.

“Now King Drupada was not naturally courageous and at this time he was filled with great fear. He went to the queen and asked her counsel. The queen said, “Take shelter of the gods. There is no other remedy.”

 With this, Sikhandi herself, said, “This is all my fault. It’s my fault that you are suffering so much. Forgive me.” So saying, Sikhandi ran away into the forest, determined to end her life and all the misery she had caused her father.

Sikhandi entered a dark and solitary forest called Sthunakarma which has haunted by a powerful forest spirit called Sthuna, a Yaksha. Out of fear of that Yaksha no one ever went into the forest. Deep within the forest was a mysterious castle with high walls and an iron gate.

Yaksha

“As night fell, and finding no other shelter in the dark woods, Sikhandi reached that gloomy castle. She opened the gate and entered within the castle walls, finding no one. It was abandoned. She passed some days there, fasting, drinking no water and hoping to disappear from this world by starving herself to death. She was in deep despair.

Yakshas

“Thereupon Sthuna the Yaksha who haunted the castle finally appeared to her. Seeing her sad condition he took pity on her saying, “Why are you starving yourself? Why have you come to this dark castle in these dangerous woods to die?” The girl said, “There is nothing you can do for me. My situation is so desperate.” At which the Yaksha replied, “No situation is too desperate for me. There must be some way I can help you. My magic is powerful and I have great treasures. I can grant boons. Ask and you shall receive.” Finally, the distraught daughter of Drupada told her story, finally saying, “They will now kill me and destroy my father. Oh, what can I do? Help me if you can O spirit of the forest.”

Sthuna the Yaksha, realizing that the words of Shiva must come true said, “So be it. It is my destiny. Listen to me. I can help you but there is a one condition. For a short time I will give you my manhood and take your womanhood. I will be transformed into a young lady and you will be transformed into a young man, just as Shiva has prophesied. Know this, that you must return here after some time and give me back my manhood.”

Sikhandi said, “If this is true, I shall do as you wish. Take my womanhood and give me your manhood and I shall do what is agreeable to you. O wanderer of the night. Allow me then to demonstrate my manhood for the daughter of the King of the Dasarnakas, for the complete satisfaction of that girl. Let her give the news to her father and then pacify the cruel king who wants to slay my father. When he returns to his city, I shall once more become a maiden and you will once more become a man.”

Bhishma continued, “Saying this Sthuna the Yaksha and Sikhandi made a pact and by the mystic power of the forest spirit they changed. Sikhandi was transformed into a young man, losing her womanhood, and the spirit of the forest left his manhood. Sikhandi promised to return to the forest when the danger had passed and they parted ways.

This is how Sikhandi of the race of Panchala, returned from the forest having obtained manhood. When he entered the city, all rejoiced for they thought he had gone to meditate and offer oblations to Shiva in preparation for the war to defend his father’s honor. When he arrived in the court of the king of Panchala he told the king of what had happened. The king was greatly pleased for Hiranyavarman had just arrived ready to take the king’s head from his shoulders for being a fraud.

The mighty Hiranyavarman dressed in gold chain mail and poised ready to strike Drupada’s head from his shoulders arrived in the court, shaking with wrath.

“O most foul of deceivers.” He said, “Prepare to meet thy doom.” He withdrew his sword. 

At this time Drupada pacified him with sweet words, saying, “We have been the victims of a cruel hoax, my Lord. My son is no fraud.”

Shikhandi

King Hiranyavarman having heard Drupada did not believe him – but relented to test the claim. 
He put up his sword.
"We shall soon see," he said. "If he is a man, he will be put to the test."
"A test of arms? Shikhandi can pass any test with sword or bow."
"Something more practical," said Hiranyavarman. "Let us meet in the evening."
and ordering his soldiers to stand down, he sent to the village for a dozen of the finest young dancing girls.
That night, in the palace chambers, he met with Drupada and arranged for the best of these exotic courtesans to be sent to a private room with Sikhandi to test his manhood. 

They returned some time later, having discovered the truth and joyfully affirmed that Sikhandi indeed was a man and quite well endowed, and that all of them had been personally very satisfied and delighted with his manhood.

Apsara courtesans

These delightful young ladies who had been curious about the whole affair, presented themselves before Drupada and King Hiranyavarman saying, “We affirm with great pleasure, your lordship that Sikhandi is indeed a powerful person, and very much a man with all his equipment intact. We have personal knowledge of this. Whoever says otherwise is a liar.”

Hearing this, the King of the Dasarnakas was joyful and put aside his sword. He accepted the hospitality of Drupada and they then became great friends and allies and passed a number of days in joy.

King Hiranyavarman of the Dasarnakas rewarded Sikhandi with elephants and treasure, horses and cattle and accepted him as his son. Then the king chastised his daughter for her lies and infamy and made her swear to be faithful to her new husband, Sikhandi without any more tricks.

Meanwhile, the Yaksha lived in the forest castle as a woman, awaiting the return of Shikhandini. He had been too generous with his charity. He had offered a boon; but what the beautiful maiden had asked was a stange and unusual request. Give up his sexuality: to be transformed into a woman so that the young princess could avoid scandal. But he trusted her word and knew that soon she would return. They would interchange again and the prince would become a princess once more. But then, on the whole, the Yaksha rather enjoyed being a woman. 

But one day the Yaksha's master came to visit. All Yakshas are governed by Lord Kuvera, the god of wealth. Kuvera rules the silver in the mountains and the gold under the ground. Kuvera is the master of money and forests. A grotesquely fat mangod, Kuvera rides  on the backs of four humans who are his chariot, his slaves and guards. 

His guard-slaves bore the obese money-god, through the dark woods past the castle of Sthuna through. Sthuna, of course, was in no condition to meet the king of Yakshas. Sthuna was waiting for Shikhandi to return.

Now as Kuvera drew came close, he saw that the once dark, dreary castle with the iron gate had been transformed. The dank dungeon of gloom was now bright and festive. One might even say, it was quite gay. It was now well-painted and brightly decorated, adorned with lush fresh flowers.The overgrown weeds had been transformed into a lovely garden with canopies and jasmine flowers, colorful flags and banners flapping in the cool breeze. The beautiful home of the Yaksha was decorated with jewels and gems and perfumed with fragrant grasses and scented incense.

The plants in the garden were watered and flourishing, the flagstones were well-swept, giving the whole abode a dignified and well-kept air. Kuvera remembered how grim the castle had been. As he looked at the charming garden with its jasmine flowers, he scratched his head. He removed a fine silk handkerchief and mopped his brow, squinting through the sun.

"Hold!" he said to the human slaves who bore him. "Stop here." 

Kuvera

"Yes, master," they said and set him down. Relieved of their burden, the slaves stood in the shade of a lovely mango tree that had been festooned with colorful paper banners in rainbow colors.

"We shall approach with caution," Kuvera said. "Swords ready!"

The four slave-guards stood at attention, their golden helmets shining in the noonday sun, sweat gleaming from their muscled backs. They exchanged glances. This was the abode of Sthuna their master's old friend. What reason could there be for alarm? Who could the new owner be?

They approached stealthily, swords at the ready, though the gates were opened.

Inside the palace, where dusty halls had once met Kuvera, the marble floors were cool and freshly swept. Flowers had been carefully arranged in pretty vases. Tasteful curtains were thoughtfully draped from the windows which had been opened to allow sunshine and a fresh breeze to cheer up the dark castle.

So it was that Kuvera, king of wealth and the Lord of the Yakshas entered the castle and looked for his old friend and servant Sthuna the Yaksha. 

"Hello?" he said.

The four guards circled him, forming a protective barrier with their sharpened swords. 

"Sthuna?"

No answer. Finally, Kuvera the king of the Yakshas became irritated. 

“I know you're in there," he said. Have you no manners? It is I, Kuvera, Lord of wealth. I can see you have been withholding money from me. You say you are poor, but this house has been redecorated. You have been stealing my money. This is insult enough, but you do not even have the manners to come forward and greet me?"

"Sthuna! This is ridiculous. Where are you?” he roared. “You hear me enter, but don’t have the respect to welcome me? What is this?”

Sthuna of course was in her bedroom. She had been trying a dress that Shikhandi had left her. She was looking in the mirror and plucking an eyebrow. She really had nothing to wear for greeting Kuvera. 

Kuvera stealthily approached the lady's chamber surrounded by his armed guard. They reached the door.

"Sthuna! I know you're in there. Open up or my men will break the door."

Finally  the lady Sthuna, who had finished powdering her nose called from within, saying, “My dear Kuvera: Why are you so upset. Give me a moment. It's just that I’m a little ashamed to see you right now.”

With this Kuvera's royal slave-guard put their backs to the door and broke it in. They surprised the Yaksha Sthuna as she was trying on a pair of silk slippers.

To which the Yaksha king, Kuvera replied, “Who are you? What have you done with Sthuna?”

The guards moved in, poised to strike brandishing their swords.

Sthuna began to cry. Her mascara smeared. 

Kuvera looked closer. "Hold!" he cried, just as the guards were about to lop of Sthuna's head.

"Hold I say." And the guards put up their weapons. They stood at ease. Kuvera was shocked as he looked at the person before him.

"Is that you? Sthuna?"

The once terrible Yaksha who had struck fear in the hearts of men was now a simple country girl in a white sari, a little ugly if truth be told.

She said, “O, Lord Kuvera, please forgive me, but as you can see, I have been transformed into a girl. I’m waiting for Sikhandi to return here and reclaim her femininity from me. Until then I have been hiding. For this reason I did not come forward.”

The men laughed. They too recognized their old master's friend, transformed into a homely country girl. Stealing a glance at their master, they recovered their composure and stood silent, swords at the ready.

But Kuvera, king of the Yakshas, was not pleased. His men were laughing at him. He had been mocked by a Yaksha. He was still irritated. 

"Well, you should learn better manners," he said. "You want to play at being a woman. Fine. Enjoy yourself. Be a woman! The girl who came to you was no coward. She wants to ride forth in battle and kill the greatest of all warriors, Bhishma himself. But look at you. You are a coward. You're not a man at all. Fine. I say, stay as you are. I say Shikhandi has more manhood than you ever will. Enjoy your flowers and your curtains. You really should learn some manners; your lack of hospitality quite offends me. May you learn from your grave error. With my power as god of wealth I curse you that your transformation will remain permanent."

"Sikhandi will never return. You shall remain a woman and she shall remain a man. She will go on to glory and fame and you will remain as you are, a cowardly Yaksha.”  

"Shikhandi will never return..."

Kuvera turned to go. He snapped his fingers. At once, all four of his slaveguards sheathed their swords. They took a fine gold chair from Sthuna's palace and seated their lord. Once seated they took Kuvera up on their shoulders and began to carry him away.

 Sthuna was horrified. As he was leaving,  the high-souled king of the Yaksha softened a bit, seeing the effects of his curse on his old friend. He said, "I will mitigate my curse, on account of your loyalty. The valiant Shikhandi will not live long, but will die on the battlefield. After Shikhandi’s death, you may retain your original form and go back to being a man, if you so desire.” Finally Sthuna the Yaksha knew that the words of Shiva had been fulfilled; for it was his destiny to play this role.

Having finished the story of Shikhandi's transformation, Bhishma said, “All this I learned from my spies who traveled in the disguise of beggars, fools and village idiots in the court of Drupada. In this way I learned of his plans for revenge, and of the rebirth of Shikhandi who had sworn to destroy me. How this happened in the battle of Kurukshetra, I will narrate later.”

"How this happened, I will relate later..."