This episode of Mahabharata gives us the backstory of Dhrishtadyumna’s elder brother Shikhandi and explains why he seems to have his mind set on killing Bhishma - because he is actually Amba reincarnated as a man.
Tropes found here are
- All Up to You: Since no one will defeat Bhishma for her, Amba resigns herself to do it alone. She obtains a boon to reincarnate as Shikhandi.
- Camp Follower: Draupadi becomes one. One reason is for Bhim to easily bring her Dushasan’s blood. Another reason is to prevent Yudhistir from forgiving people again.
- Call-Back: To Amba’s tragic past.
- Defiled Forever: Amba considers herself this, since she was kidnapped by a victorious warrior who then refused to marry her. And no other warrior prince would marry her, because they were defeated and hence considered themselves unworthy of her.
- Driven to Suicide / Self-Immolation : Amba does this after even Parashuram loses to Bhishma. She does this specifically to reincarnate as Shikhandi.
- Easy Logistics: Discussed. Draupadi camps with the Pandavas so that Bhim can easily reach her with Dushasan’s blood before it dries up.
- Forgiveness: Draupadi camps with the Pandavas to ensure that “Yudhistir’s forgiveness doesn’t infect you all.”
- Loophole Abuse: Bhishma tries to use all sorts of loopholes in the Warrior Code to avoid fighting Parashuram such as requiring the latter to show up armored and riding a chariot. Parashuram’s having none of it, as he doesn’t fight dishonorable warriors honorably.
- Amba, I Am Your Grandfather: Sage Hotrahan who Amba went to, in order to begin penance, says that he is her mother’s father.
- Past-Life Memories: Shikhandi has perfect memories of his life as Amba.
- Reincarnation: Shikhandi was previously Princess Amba.
- Vigilante Man: Parashuram exists only to defeat warriors who have become corrupted.
- The Worf Effect: Bhishma’s sheer power is demonstrated here, when even Parashuram loses to him. Parashuram had until then been feared by all Kshatriyas as an unstoppable vigilante.
