Mahabharata Companion

Sikhandi's Destiny

Part 2 / Chapter 2 / 83 chapters

Chapter2 / 35
Part 2Chapter 2

Sikhandi's Destiny

explains why he will not fight . Long ago he abducted the three princesses of for Vicitravirya, but released when she confessed her love for ; then rejected her. persuaded to challenge ; after twenty-three days of combat, their duel ended without decision the following morning. After terrible austerities and a boon from , died and was reborn as 's daughter , raised as a son. When 's marriage exposed the secret, the Yaksa exchanged sexes with him; 's curse made male for life. therefore regards as female by birth and will not resist him. The chapter closes with the Kaurava chiefs estimating how quickly they could destroy the Pandava army and mocking Karna's boast.

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This guide follows Krishna Dharma's retelling as the source of truth. This panel notes broad edition-level framing or compression that helps a reader orient themselves.

The long flashback makes Sikhandi the culmination of Amba's injury, austerity, Siva's boon, Sthuna's compassion, and Bhisma's own vow. Destiny advances through promises and choices rather than appearing as a bare prediction.
Key Events
  1. 1

    abducts the princesses

    recalls carrying , Ambika, and Ambalika away from their svayamvara as brides for Vicitravirya. He defeats the pursuing kings, including .

  2. 2

    rejects

    When reveals that she had already chosen , releases her. refuses to accept her after has carried her away, leaving abandoned by both men.

  3. 3

    appeals to

    Hotravahana directs to . She repeatedly asks the sage to kill ; after Akritavana also requests intervention, first orders to accept her, but refuses because of his celibacy vow and her prior love for .

  4. 4

    Teacher and pupil duel for twenty-three days

    challenges his former pupil at . and fight for twenty-three days with celestial weapons, repeatedly wounding one another without securing victory, and prepare to resume once more the following morning.

  5. 5

    The gods halt the duel

    The following morning, the who appeared as luminous Brahmins teach the Prashwapa weapon, but Narada and the gods forbid its release. tells that is ordained to cause 's death, and the combatants end the inconclusive fight.

  6. 6

    wins 's boon

    practices severe austerities for twelve years. Ganga curses her to become a dangerous river that flows only in the rainy season, but 's ascetic merit limits the transformation to half her body. then promises that in another birth she will become male and kill ; enters a funeral fire.

  7. 7

    is reborn as

    is reborn as 's daughter, but the king and queen announce a son and raise the child as . Remembering the former life and 's promise, trains as a warrior.

  8. 8

    's marriage creates a crisis

    marries to the daughter of . When the bride discovers 's sex, her father prepares to attack , and flees into the forest to save the family.

  9. 9

    gives his manhood

    The compassionate Yaksa exchanges sexes with until the danger passes. After confirms that is male, curses to remain female until dies, making male for life.

  10. 10

    binds himself not to resist

    concludes that although is now a man, he was born female and was in a former life. will therefore neither fight nor strike him.

  11. 11

    The Kaurava chiefs predict the war's length

    and Drona each estimate a month to destroy the Pandava army, Krpa two months, Asvatthama ten days, and Karna five. laughs that Karna can boast only until he meets guided by Krsna.