Shikhandini Becomes Shikhandi With The Help of Yaksha Sthunakarna : Episode 93

-

Vidura Returns to Hastinapura

Yudhishtra overhears Vidura speaking quietly with Sanjaya. He learns that in a moment of anger, Dhritarashtra had sent Vidura away, only to drown later in remorse. Moved by the bond between them, Yudhishtra tells Vidura that his rightful place is at the king’s side, guiding him with wisdom and compassion. Vidura agrees and returns to Hastinapura.

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari receive him with tears. Dhritarashtra’s voice trembles as he rebukes Vidura for abandoning them. He begs for a promise that Vidura will never leave again, even if ordered to do so. Vidura bows his head and silently affirms his loyalty.

Shikhandini Meets Yaksha Sthunakarna

Deep in the forest, the Yaksha Sthunakarna sees Shikhandini, weary and broken, and asks her who she is. Shikhandini stands with quiet dignity and reveals her truth—her vow to kill Bhishma, the boon promised by Lord Shiva, the marriage she entered with hope, and the humiliation that followed when her bride learned she was born a woman. Shamed and rejected, she fled the palace.

Sthunakarna listens without judgment. Compassion wells within him. He offers a miraculous exchange: he will give Shikhandini his masculinity so she may return as a man and preserve her honor. The Yaksha warns that she must return within one week. His master Kubera is expected to visit for the Satyanarayana Puja on the New Moon day—and if the secret is discovered, Kubera’s wrath will be terrible.

Shikhandini promises to return. The Yaksha touches her, and the transformation is instant. Shikhandini becomes Shikhandi—broad-shouldered, strong, and fully male in form. Sthunakarna himself becomes feminine, waiting quietly for her return.

Balarama and Krishna Debate Dharma

Meanwhile in Dwaraka, Balarama confronts Krishna. He declares that the Kauravas played a fair game and that the Pandavas lost according to the rules. His voice cracks with hurt as he accuses Krishna of giving Subhadra to Arjuna—now an exile in the forest—rather than to Duryodhana, who enjoys royal comfort. Krishna’s gaze is calm. He reminds Balarama that the wheel of Time turns endlessly, lifting some while crushing others. Subhadra, he says, will one day rule the world.

The Mirror That Reveals the Heart

Revati notices that the strange mirror Krishna brings shows unexpected reflections. Standing before it, she sees the image of Balarama. When Balarama looks, it shows Krishna. Rukmini and Satyabhama gaze into it and again see only Krishna.

Astonished, they demand to know why.

Krishna explains that this mirror was gifted by Lord Rama to Vibhishana during his coronation, and later offered to Yudhishtra at the Rajasuya Yagna. Its magic reveals what occupies the mind of the viewer.

Curious, everyone urges Krishna to stand before the mirror. To their shock, the reflection that appears is Shakuni. Krishna smiles and tells them that Shakuni and he, as Kali Purusha, are the chief architects of the turning age. Shakuni endlessly plots against him. Krishna is always thinking of how to counter every move. That is why Shakuni fills his mind.

Messages from Vidura

Vidura meets Kunti. He tells her that he has seen the Pandavas and that they lack nothing, sustained by the Akshaya Patra gifted by the Sun God. Draupadi has become the nurturing force that holds them together. The Pandavas request Kunti to guard her health and be ready to welcome them when their exile ends.

Duryodhana Plots Against Arjuna

Duryodhana fumes when he learns that on Sage Dhaumya’s advice, Yudhishtra taught the sacred Pratismriti mantra to Arjuna. Dhaumya instructs Arjuna to travel to the Indraneel mountain and meditate upon Lord Shiva. Burning with envy, Duryodhana begs Shakuni for a plan to disrupt Arjuna’s tapasya. Shakuni smiles coldly. He tells Duryodhana of the demon Mukasura, whom they may provoke by invoking the deaths of Bakasura and Kirmira at Bhima’s hands. Shakuni and Dushasana set out toward the demon’s cave.

About Yaksha Sthunakarna

Sthunakarna is a compassionate Yaksha from the realm of Kubera. Hearing Shikhandini’s suffering, he exchanges genders with her, enabling her destiny as Shikhandi—the warrior whose presence allows Arjuna to defeat Bhishma. Kubera later makes the transformation irreversible until Shikhandi’s death.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Duryodha's Fall in the Mayan Sabha and Draupadi's Laughter : Episode 80

-
Recap of Previous Episode : Episode 79 traces the widening paths of destiny as joy, rivalry, and ambition shape both Indraprastha and Hastinapura. Arjuna’s marriage to Subhadra brings celebration, even as Duryodhana’s jealousy deepens. Duryodhana wins Bhanumathi in the Kalinga swayamvara, aided by Karna, while a new generation of princes is born—Abhimanyu in Indraprastha and Lakshmana and Lakshmi in Hastinapura. Yudhishtra expresses his wish to perform the Rajasuya Yagna, but Krishna explains that Jarasandha’s downfall is essential for it to happen. Disguised as Brahmins, Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna visit Magadha, leading to the long duel in which Bhima finally kills Jarasandha by tearing his body apart and preventing it from rejoining. Shishupala vows revenge upon hearing of his godfather’s death. With Magadha freed, preparations for the Rajasuya begin. Amid debates and objections in the Kuru court, Bhishma firmly declares Krishna the most deserving of the highest honor. As Yudhish...
Continue »

163. Karna Uses Nagastra But Krishna Saves Arjuna

-
Image
Recap of Previous Episode : Karna seeks blessings and joins forces with Ashwasena to kill Arjuna. Karna loses his son Vrishasena and vows revenge. Bhima kills Vikarna with sorrow, and Dushasana with ferocity, fulfilling Draupadi’s vow. Dhritarashtra collapses in grief. The stage is set for the decisive confrontation between Karna and Arjuna. Karna Rushes to Duryodhana Before Karna can recover from the shock of his son Vrishasena’s death, he learns that Dushasana has been slain. Setting aside his rage toward Arjuna, Karna hurries to console a shattered Duryodhana. Duryodhana’s Grief Duryodhana laments uncontrollably. Dushasana was his shadow, his most loyal supporter who never questioned an order. The mutilated body before him drives him into a frenzy of grief and rage. Gandhari breaks down and tells Kunti that she should have stopped Dushasana the very day he dragged and humiliated Draupadi. Her failure has cost them everything. Karna Confronts Yudhishtra Karna now faces Y...
Continue »

166. Duryodhana's Death and Beyond

-
Image
Recap of Previous Episode : Gandhari blesses with dharma, not victory. Krishna reveals the six forces that doomed Karna. Shakuni mocks fate and plays dice with Krishna. Krishna warns the Pandavas about Shalya and assigns Yudhishtra to face him the next day. Gandhari Attempts to Save Her Son Gandhari resolves to protect Duryodhana with the spiritual power earned through unwavering pativrata dharma . She asks him to bathe and come before her unclothed, so that the divine radiance from her eyes may harden his body like diamond. Krishna learns of her plan. In disguise as Dushala, He warns Duryodhana that appearing naked before his mother is shameful and advises him to cover his loins with a banana leaf. Gandhari, who has kept her eyes blindfolded since marriage, opens them at last, and her fiery gaze strengthens every part of Duryodhana’s body — until she sees the covered area. Horrified, she realizes Krishna has intervened. Duryodhana shrugs it off, believing he is still safe: ...
Continue »