Shikhandi

Indian mythology · warrior · vengeance reborn, transformation

Born the princess Amba, reborn, after Bhishma wrecked her life, for the sole purpose of destroying him. Raised as a prince and changed in sex, Shikhandi became the shield behind which Arjuna could finally strike Bhishma down, since the grandsire would not raise arms against one born a woman.

Stories

The Fall of Bhishma

None can defeat the grandsire while he holds his weapons, and he will not raise them against one born a woman. So Arjuna advances behind Shikhandi, Amba reborn for exactly this hour, and fills Bhishma with arrows; the old man falls onto a bed of shafts and chooses to die only when the sun turns north.