परतिज्ञां षण्ढकॊ ऽसमीति करिष्यामि महीपते जया घातौ हि महान्तौ मे संवर्तुं नृप दुष्करौ ।। ४-२-२१ ।।
'Arjuna replied: "O lord of the Earth, I shall declare myself to be of the neuter sex. For, O king, the scars left by the bowstring on my arms are difficult to conceal."' ।। 4-2-21 ।।
'I will, however, conceal the scars on my arms with conch-shell bangles. Adorning my ears with blazing earrings and letting a braid fall from my head, I shall appear, O king, as one of the third sex, known by the name Bṛhannalā.' ।। 4-2-22 ।।
'O son of Kunti, I shall conceal my true self through illusion, adopting the behavior of ordinary people and performing many humble tasks.' ।। 4-2-25 ।।