Shikandi – The Warrior Who Killed Bhishma – Indian Mythology

Entities

Shikandi is one of the most intriguing characters in the Mahabharata, with a unique and complex backstory that ties deeply into the epic’s themes of fate, rebirth, and the cycle of karma. Shikandi was originally Amba in her previous birth. The tragic tale of Amba’s life and her deep connection with Bhishma forms the crux of Shikandi’s destiny. After obtaining a boon that she would be the cause of Bhishma’s death in her next life, Amba, filled with vengeance and despair, committed suicide to hasten her rebirth and fulfill her destiny.

Amba’s Story and the Boon

Amba was the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi. She, along with her sisters Ambika and Ambalika, was abducted by Bhishma during their swayamvara (a ceremony where a princess chooses her husband). Bhishma took the three sisters to Hastinapura, intending to marry them off to his half-brother, Vichitravirya. However, Amba had already given her heart to Shalva, the king of Saubala, and expressed her desire to marry him. Bhishma, honoring her wish, sent her to Shalva, but Shalva rejected her, feeling humiliated that she had been won by another man. Rejected by both Bhishma and Shalva, Amba was left in despair and deep anger toward Bhishma, whom she held responsible for her ruined life.

Amba sought Bhishma’s defeat and wandered from kingdom to kingdom, seeking a warrior strong enough to defeat him. When no one dared challenge Bhishma, she turned to the divine sage Parashurama, Bhishma’s guru, and implored him to fight on her behalf. Parashurama and Bhishma fought a fierce battle, but it ended in a stalemate. With no hope left, Amba performed severe penance and received a boon from Shiva that she would be reborn and cause Bhishma’s death in her next life.

Rebirth as Shikandi

In her next birth, Amba was born as Shikandi, the daughter of King Drupada of Panchala. From birth, Shikandi was destined to play a pivotal role in the downfall of Bhishma. A key moment in Shikandi’s life came when, as a child, she wore a garland of flowers given to her by the goddess Ganga (Bhishma’s mother), with the prophecy that the one who wore this garland would be the cause of Bhishma’s death. Fearing Bhishma’s wrath, Drupada, her father, exiled her to the forest.

During her exile, Shikandi encountered a Gandharva (a celestial being) who offered to exchange his male form for her female one. By this time, Shikandi had learned of her destiny to kill Bhishma, and she gladly accepted the Gandharva’s offer, taking on a male form. After the transformation, Shikandi returned to Drupada’s kingdom, enrolled in the army, and rose to become a skilled warrior and a commander, all the while knowing that she was born to fulfill a singular purpose.

CharacterRole/Significance in the Story
AmbaIn her previous birth, she was wronged by Bhishma and sought revenge, receiving a boon to cause his death.
BhishmaThe great warrior bound by a vow of celibacy, he inadvertently became the object of Amba’s vengeance.
DrupadaFather of Shikandi, he exiled his daughter to the forest, fearing Bhishma’s wrath.
ShivaGranted Amba the boon of rebirth with the promise that she would kill Bhishma in her next life.
GandharvaA celestial being who exchanged his male form with Shikandi’s female form.
ParashuramaBhishma’s guru, who fought Bhishma on Amba’s behalf but could not defeat him.

Role in the Kurukshetra War

Shikandi’s transformation from Amba into a male warrior became crucial during the great war of Kurukshetra. As a skilled warrior, Shikandi fought on the side of the Pandavas. However, her most important contribution came during the climactic battle when the Pandavas sought to end Bhishma’s seemingly invincible reign on the battlefield.

Knowing that Bhishma, bound by his vow of chivalry, would never attack a woman, Arjuna used Shikandi as a shield during their confrontation with Bhishma. Shikandi stood in front of Bhishma as Arjuna shot arrows at the mighty warrior. True to his vow, Bhishma refused to fight Shikandi, knowing that she was once a woman (Amba). This moral dilemma left Bhishma vulnerable, and Arjuna’s arrows fatally wounded him.

Thus, Shikandi fulfilled the prophecy given to Amba by Shiva and played an essential role in Bhishma’s downfall. Bhishma, who had the boon to choose the time of his death, lay on a bed of arrows until the end of the war, waiting for the auspicious time to leave his mortal body.

EventDetails
Kurukshetra WarShikandi fought on the side of the Pandavas, playing a pivotal role in Bhishma’s death.
Bhishma’s VowBhishma had taken a vow of celibacy and chivalry, which prevented him from attacking a woman.
Arjuna’s RoleArjuna used Shikandi as a shield, knowing that Bhishma would not fight against her.
Shiva’s BoonShiva’s boon to Amba was fulfilled when Shikandi stood before Bhishma, causing his eventual defeat.

Connections to Other Stories and Entities

The story of Shikandi is deeply connected to various themes and other characters within the larger narrative of the Mahabharata and Hindu mythology. Shikandi’s tale is not only about vengeance and destiny but also touches upon the fluidity of gender, as Shikandi undergoes a physical transformation from female to male. This transformation is reminiscent of other stories in Hindu mythology that explore the flexibility of gender identity, such as the tale of Ardhanarishvara (the composite form of Shiva and Parvati, embodying both male and female energies).

Additionally, Shikandi’s involvement in Bhishma’s death intertwines with the larger cosmic forces at play in the Mahabharata. Bhishma, a key figure in the epic, was born as a result of Shantanu‘s marriage to Ganga, and he was destined for a life of great duty and sacrifice. His vow of celibacy and his choice to die at the right time exemplify his control over his fate, yet Shikandi’s role signifies the inevitability of destiny and the inescapability of karmic retribution.

The relationship between the Devas and Asuras is also echoed in Shikandi’s story. Like many figures in Hindu mythology, Shikandi/Amba undergoes a series of trials, aided by divine intervention (Shiva’s boon), and ultimately fulfills a cosmic role in the great battle between righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma), much like the struggles between the Devas and Asuras.

Entity/StoryConnection to Shikandi/Amba
ShivaGranted Amba the boon to be reborn and cause Bhishma’s death.
BhishmaBound by his vow of celibacy and chivalry, he refused to fight Shikandi, leading to his death.
ArdhanarishvaraSymbolizes the fluidity of gender, similar to Shikandi’s transformation from female to male.
Devas and AsurasThe theme of destiny and cosmic struggle in Shikandi’s story parallels the battles between these two groups.

Conclusion

Shikandi’s journey from Amba to a warrior on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is a tale of vengeance, destiny, and transformation. It highlights the cyclical nature of karma in Hindu mythology, where past actions inevitably bear fruit in future lives. Through divine intervention, Shikandi fulfills the prophecy of being the cause of Bhishma’s downfall, demonstrating that the threads of fate are inescapable, even for the mightiest of warriors. The tale also reflects the complex moral and ethical dilemmas that pervade the Mahabharata, making Shikandi’s role not only pivotal but also symbolic of larger cosmic themes within the epic.

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