Arjun as Brihannala, a eunuch - Page 4

Then let us also focus on Bhishma's bit.

If Amba was reborn as Shikhandi as she wanted to be the reason behind his death, how did this work?

Some versions state Bhishma vowed to not fight if he sees Amba? How would he recognize Shikhandi then.

Now if we take it as he did not want to fight with a GIRL, then Shikhandi must have been biologically feminine then? He could be transgender as she lived as a man.

Now if we consider this then he could not have had children. Then it states he was completely male, but maybe he was female from inside, as in again, a transgender?

I just need some clearance on Bhishma bit.

Bhishm refuse to look shikhandi as man though shikhandi was man

Bhishm use to still consider shikhandi as woman though shikhandi was man

Originally posted by: CaptainSpark

Then let us also focus on Bhishma's bit.

If Amba was reborn as Shikhandi as she wanted to be the reason behind his death, how did this work?

Some versions state Bhishma vowed to not fight if he sees Amba? How would he recognize Shikhandi then.

Now if we take it as he did not want to fight with a GIRL, then Shikhandi must have been biologically feminine then? He could be transgender as she lived as a man.

Now if we consider this then he could not have had children. Then it states he was completely male, but maybe he was female from inside, as in again, a transgender?

I just need some clearance on Bhishma bit.

One that hath thrown away his weapons, one that hath fallen down, one whose armour hath slipped off, one whose standard is down, one who is flying away, one who is frightened, one who says--I am thine--one who is a female, one who beareth the name of a female, one no longer capable of taking care of one's self, one who hath only a single son, or one who is a vulgar fellows,--with these I do not like to battle. Hear also, O king, about my resolve formed before. Beholding any inauspicious omen I would never fight. That mighty car-warrior, the son of Drupada, O king, whom thou hast in thy army, who is known by the name of Sikhandin, who is wrathful in battle, brave, and ever victorious, was a female before but subsequently obtained manhood. How all this took place, ye all know it truly. Brave in battle and clad in mail, let Arjuna, keeping Sikhandin before him, attack me with his sharp shafts. When that inauspicious omen will be there, especially in the form of one that was a female before, I will never seek, though armed with bow and arrow, to strike him.

Originally posted by: CaptainSpark

Alright but why then did Bhishma stopped fighting on seeing her? 😆

Bheeshm was definitely slightly male Chaunist

For him a effeminate would be like a woman, he would definitely avoid fighting him

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

One that hath thrown away his weapons, one that hath fallen down, one whose armour hath slipped off, one whose standard is down, one who is flying away, one who is frightened, one who says--I am thine--one who is a female, one who beareth the name of a female, one no longer capable of taking care of one's self, one who hath only a single son, or one who is a vulgar fellows,--with these I do not like to battle. Hear also, O king, about my resolve formed before. Beholding any inauspicious omen I would never fight. That mighty car-warrior, the son of Drupada, O king, whom thou hast in thy army, who is known by the name of Sikhandin, who is wrathful in battle, brave, and ever victorious, was a female before but subsequently obtained manhood. How all this took place, ye all know it truly. Brave in battle and clad in mail, let Arjuna, keeping Sikhandin before him, attack me with his sharp shafts. When that inauspicious omen will be there, especially in the form of one that was a female before, I will never seek, though armed with bow and arrow, to strike him.

Thanks for sharing this, Shruti!

The underlying fact remains, she was a female prior to being a man (rebirth or change of sex within the same birth, these are different versions) and so, Bhishma would not attack him. I think this was a clever move on the part of Bhishma to let himself be defeated and somehow let Amba fulfil the revenge she had carried over many births. It is possible that Bhishma knew that she was Amba because great Tapasvis can acquire that level of consciousness.

@bold - Is it about Bhishma having the knowledge that Shikhandi was Amba in previous birth or does it hint at Shikhandi being transsexual?

Originally posted by: sonnet11

Thanks for sharing this, Shruti!

The underlying fact remains, she was a female prior to being a man (rebirth or change of sex within the same birth, these are different versions) and so, Bhishma would not attack him. I think this was a clever move on the part of Bhishma to let himself be defeated and somehow let Amba fulfil the revenge she had carried over many births. It is possible that Bhishma knew that she was Amba because great Tapasvis can acquire that level of consciousness.

@bold - Is it about Bhishma having the knowledge that Shikhandi was Amba in previous birth or does it hint at Shikhandi being transsexual?

Edit - Bhishma knew Shikhandi was Amba. He even knew that Arjuna will cause his fall.

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

Not sure if he had that knowledge, but Shikhandi was definitely born a female.

Edit - Bhishma knew Shikhandi was Amba. He even knew that Arjuna will cause his fall.

Bhishma knew quite a lot. He unwillingly had to fight from the side which he was more than aware would eventually lose. I am convinced with this answer.

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

Not sure if he had that knowledge, but Shikhandi was definitely born a female.

Edit - Bhishma knew Shikhandi was Amba. He even knew that Arjuna will cause his fall.

If we're talking without the divine element, Shikhandi couldn't have been born a woman since he procreated with his wife.

Re: Arjuna. Not a difficult guess since both men were archers.

Originally posted by: HearMeRoar

If we're talking without the divine element, Shikhandi couldn't have been born a woman since he procreated with his wife.

Re: Arjuna. Not a difficult guess since both men were archers.

Modern age may find an answer in sex reassignment surgery.

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

I find it tough to discard the divine element here. 😅

Modern age may find an answer in sex reassignment surgery.

My guess is that he was Amba's son. Maybe gay or trans. That way, he would have the equipment and the chromosomes required to reproduce even if psychologically difficult.