That pure souled warrior (Bhishma) has said, "I shall not kill Shikhandin. I have heard he was a woman before. For this reason he should be renounced by me in battle”.
अब्रवीच्च विशुद्धात्मा नाहं हन्यां शिखण्डिनम्। श्रूयते स्त्रो ह्यसौ पूर्वं तस्माद् वयॊ रणे मम॥