Bigots think denying trans people the right to be in sports is a groundbreaking new idea.

Meanwhile 5000 years ago, the peeps in Mahabharat be like: SHIKHANDI CANT PLAY WITH US BECAUSE HE IS ACTUALLY A GIRL AND GIRLS DONT GO TO WAR WAAAHHHHH!

And then Shikhandi killed his enemy with the help of literal GOD and became a hero because the real villains all along were transphobia and misogyny.

Shikhandi: Don’t panic, I have a few knives up my sleeve for situations like this.

Dhristadhyumna: Don't you mean tricks?

Draupadi: No, he doesn't.

Shikhandi, taking out a dagger from who knows where: No, I don't.

One more person calling Shikhandi:

1. A masculine woman

2. Intersex

3. A trans woman

And I'll commit a hate crime I swear.

He was a trans man. He was just a dude. End of discussion.

Shikhandi: The Gender-Defying Hero of the Mahabharata

Hindu philosophy holds a simple yet profound belief: within each person resides an everlasting atman (spirit or soul) that exists independently from the physical body, surpassing characteristics such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. Stemming from a common divine origin, every atman forms a spiritual kinship, deserving of love, reverence, and fair treatment.

In the epic Mahabharata, there is a captivating tale that revolves around Bhishma's commitment to celibacy, which leads to a grand swayamvara (a ceremony or event where a bride chooses her husband from a gathering of suitors). This ceremony is where Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika are given the opportunity to choose their life partners. However, Bhishma's interference in Amba's love life sets off a series of events that ultimately culminate in her tragic destiny.

Amba's heartbreak is twofold - first, her intended husband Shalva rejects her, and then Bhishma, bound by his vow of celibacy, refuses to marry her. This leaves Amba in a state of despair, fueling her desire for revenge against Bhishma. Determined to seek justice, she pleads to the mighty god Shiva for assistance in her quest to end Bhishma's life. Miraculously, Shiva grants her wish, but tragically, Amba chooses to take her own life to expedite her ultimate goal.

There are various versions of the next part of the tale. According to certain narratives, Amba is born as the daughter of King Drupada. Upon learning from Shiva that she will eventually undergo a transformation into a man, Drupada names her Shikhandi and raises her as a boy. In this particular version, a formidable entity residing in the forest indeed bestows upon her the transformation into a man. However, in alternative accounts, Shikhandi is born as a male but develops a trans-identity due to Shiva granting them the ability to recollect their previous life.

As the Mahabharata unfolds, Shikhandi emerges as a formidable warrior who defies societal expectations of gender. Their participation in the battle of Kurukshetra serves as a powerful symbol of authenticity, challenging the conventional gender roles imposed on individuals. Shikhandi's strength goes beyond mere physical abilities; it stands as a testament to the immense power that comes from embracing one's true identity.

Shikhandi's character is truly captivating because of their personal quest for self-discovery. They challenge societal expectations of gender and proudly embrace a non-binary identity. This exploration of identity is a key theme, showcasing the intricate and ever-changing nature of being human.

As we come to the end of our journey through Shikhandi's story in the Mahabharata, we honor a figure whose legacy surpasses time, defies conventions, and forever marks the intricate fabric of mythology. Shikhandi, the ageless fighter, still instills bravery and self-exploration in the souls of those who come across their legend.

I have always imagined Shikhandini to be a woman, in heart and soul.

With my understanding of MB, I feel like she was forced to conform to a masculine form by her surrounding political situation. In this project, I have specifically attempted to show her feminine side.

I would be grateful if my humble attempt lives up to her brave legacy.

I hope the community isn't too harsh on judging the quality of these artworks, they were created much earlier. <3

You know who's an icon? Shikhandi. That's it. No one can come close.

Day 5: Pride

Shikhandi watches Bheeshma fall with no small amount of rage. He knows what happened was according to the plan. He knows, that to win, Bheeshma must have considered him a woman. It does not sting any less.

Long before he was a girl, before he was born, a lady had walked the Earth and cursed this warrior for spurning her after ruining her life. He should feel proud to have avenged her. He only feels shame. The cousins have gathered over Bheeshma’s gory body perforated with arrows like a pincushion. They weep together, bitter enmity forgotten over dying familial blood. He feels like an intruder.

He should be satisfied, that the one who refused to acknowledge his identity lies dead. He only feels used, like the incertitude of his gender was the only reason he had been selected for this unenvious destiny, and that his destiny was a direct catalyst for his identity. He stands apart, sorrowful and pitifully angry, like a bleating goat-kid protesting against the cruelty of the butcher’s knife. His father, however, is elated, and makes little pretense of joining the mourners, electing to pridefully gaze upon a son he had once scorned. Shikhandi has nothing to say. His existence has been rendered meaningless, and not because he has fulfilled his destiny. He is no more important in this war for the elephant throne (for no woman can be avenged by widowing a million more, Draupadi’s delusions be damned) and ready to be discarded. He hopes he would die soon. Krishna gives him a melancholy smile, like he knew what he was thinking. He probably did. Shikhandi cannot bear to stay there. He turns away, and begins the long trek to camp on foot. (If he spoke some kind words to a dying soldier because he had newfound realisations about the ‘pawns’ in this game, well then, it was not like there was anyone to tell the tale.)

Tagging @sundaralekhan

Some sketches I did for TDOV! Had 3 more planned but couldn't finish them in time. Alas, they remain WIPs. Maybe next year?

P.S: The Ardhanarishwar is a redraw of a 11th Century Chola bronze. Original under the cut

shout out to every English teacher i have this year bc I will be writing about Shikhandi again

Story of chudala:

About Gender transformation, LQBTQIA+ and about a woman's wisdom , extracted from the book "Shikhandi" . All the credits go to Devdutt Pattanaik .

The story has a very light adult theme.

King Shikhidhvaja sought wisdom. His wife, Chudala, was wise, a yogini, well-versed in the ancient occult ways, with even the ability to change her form at will. But since she was a woman he refused to take wisdom from her.

Determined to find wisdom, the king decided to renounce the kingdom.

She followed her husband in the form of a man and introduced herself to him as a fellow hermit called Kumbhaka.

Shikhidhvaja was very receptive to these words as they came from a man, and he became great friends with the accomplished Kumbhaka.

One day, Kumbhaka said, ‘I saw the hot- tempered sage Durvasa hurrying through the sky and remarked that he looked like a woman running to meet her lover. The sage did not take this comment kindly and cursed me that I would turn into a woman every night.

Kumbhaka turned into a woman called Madanika. The king let Madanika sleep in his hermitage, as he would Kumbhaka, but he made no attempts to have sex with her, for he was determined to stay celibate and become a true hermit. This made the queen very happy

One day, Madanika said, ‘Every night I sleep next to you as a woman. I long to know the pleasure known to a woman. Help me. You will still be a hermit for you have conquered your desires and will dispassionately help me satisfy mine.’

Shikhidhvaja consented to this. After that, all day, he would listen to the wise words of Kumbhaka, and all night he would make love to Madanika. Thus the king was hermit by day but householder by night.

Chudala decided to test Shikhidhvaja’s detachment. That night, she used her magic powers to create an illusion of a bed on which she lay as Madanika making passionate love to a handsome stranger. The king saw them and turned away unmoved. ‘Sorry to disturb you. Please carry on,’ he said.

Delighted at the king’s immunity to lust and anger, Madanika transformed into Chudala and revealed her identity and purpose. ‘Now you are truly wise. It is not about being a hermit in the forest. It is about overpowering lust and attachment wherever you are.’

Shikhidhvaja saw sense in the words of his wife. Yes, wisdom had nothing to do with being a hermit or householder, with being in a palace or a city. He also realized how he had refused to see wisdom in his wife simply because she was a woman.

He realised the limitation of his knowledge. Thus enlightened, he returned to his kingdom with his wife - who was both his teacher Kumbhaka and his lover Madanika - and ruled the land with the wise Chudala by his side.

This is presented in a summarised form .

The hidden afterlife of epics: Karthika Naïr on Peter Brook’s Le Mahabharata and Until the Lions

There are scenes in the film version of Peter Brook’sLe Mahabharata I return to, over and over; ones that I dissect at every available platform, in print and on stage. Take the prelude to the treacherous dice game. Duryodhana (Georges Corraface), freshly returned from Indraprastha and scalded with envy at the ethereal delights of Maya’s palace, plots the downfall of the Pandava brothers with his…

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Draupadi: You don't think I can fight because I'm a girl!

Satyajit: I don't think you can fight because you're wearing a wedding dress. For what it's worth, I don't think Drishtadyumn could fight in that wedding dress either.

Drishtadyumn: Perhaps not. But I would make a radiant bride.

Shikhandi, supportive bro-mode on: Yes, you would.

So guess who finally got polls? That's right, it's ya freak Mod S.

-Mod S

Shikhandi

There are people who hate Bhisma Pitamah?

THE BHISMA PITAMAH???

What bharatiya servant should they do next?? I was Draupadī saur bad

tbh I would only feel even mildly ok w draupadi being put in now if I knew they would do the maximum amount of research in making her a good, respectful adaptation of the actual figure AT least on the level of sei shonagon or voyager, of not even more so. Like hire a Vedic scholar to help or don’t even bother with her idgaf

That being said, I’d personally really want to see Krishna. I’m…really really curious about him, esp bc he was so important to the story (and arjuna) and we know basically nothing about his fateverse version (except that they randomly changed some of his actions around cause lol)

I’d also like to see bhisma and drona, given they were also pretty important to the overall plot. They’re also generally more neutral (eh…technically) which in an adaptation of the story that tends to lean more pro-kaurava would be a nice perspective change (I’d say duryodhana as well if not for that). I also want to see the rest of the pandavas 🥺 let me see the boys 🥺 plsplspls

…I’ll be honest, I’d love to have kunti show up, but at the same time *taps the ‘don’t put in this mildly controversial woman if you’re going to be fucking weird about her’ sign* esp w how weird karna’s ccc profile is about her