Bhishma: The Great Grandsire of Mahabharata

Bhishma: The Great Grandsire of Mahabharata

Bhishma Pitamah was an ideal son, a great student and an elevated devotee of Lord Krishna. His parents were Emperor Shantanu and Ganga Devi. Due to Maharishi Vashishta’s curse, a Vasu named Dyu appeared on earth as ‘Bhishma’.

The Grandsire’s Past life

Once, a vasu named Dyu visited Sage Vashishta’s hermitage.

His wife coveted the sage’s miraculous cow, Nandini. However, the sage refused to grant his consent. For her, Dyu stole the cow in the sage’s absence, accompanied by his 7 vasu brothers. On learning about their cowardly act, Sage Vashita cursed them to suffer as humans on Earth.

However moved by their sorrowful plight, he agreed to limit their stay on earth. Dyu, the main culprit, had to suffer for a longer duration but shall eventually earn glory.

Story of the Grandsire’s birth

While hunting, King Shantanu spotted the river Ganga and was enamored by her beauty. He proposed to her for marriage. However, she said, “I shall mary you but with a condition. You must not question me for my actions. If you do, I shall desert you for good.” The king agreed to all her conditions, and the marriage commenced. 7 sons were born to the couple; however, Ganga Devi set all her 7 sons afloat at their very birth.

Shantanu, bound by his oath, watched the scene passively with tearful eyes. Finally the king mustered courage and reprimanded her-

“Why do you kill my sons? I won’t let you drown my eighth son.” Immediately Ganga Devi informed him, “Our eight sons were Vasus cursed by Maharishi Vashistha to be born on this material plane. I had promised to redeem them. Now I must leave as per my condition” So saying, she left with her eighth son for his higher education. The Grandsire’s childhood name was Deva Vrata.

Shantanu marries Satyavati.

Once King Shantanu was smitten by the beauty of Satyavati, the adopted daughter of the chief fisherman.

To marry her, he sought her father’s consent. However, Dashraj (Satyavati’s father) had his conditions: “You can marry my daughter only if her son rules Hastinapura.” King Shantanu at once returned to his palace empty-handed, since he couldn’t deny Devavrata his rights.

However, in his intense attachment for the lady, he remained gloomy and showed disinterest towards life.

The Grandsire takes a terrible vow (Bhishma Pratigya)

Shantanu’s concerned son Devavrata, knowing the cause behind his father’s distress, approached Dashraj. He then took a terrible oath, which continues to thrill us to date.

He said, Your daughter’s son shall rule. This is my promise.” However, on being further instigated by Dasharaj, he vowed to remain a lifelong celibate, never to marry or sire children.” His vow echoed in the three worlds, and and the celestials showered flowers on him.

Thus, he earned the name Bhishma, or the terrible oath taker. The Grandsire, being utterly capable, forsook his birthright just for his father’s pleasure. Such devotion to parents is rare to see.

Salutations to the great soul, Bhishma. The Grandsire’s entire life speaks of selflessness and dutifulness. He never sought anything for his own sense gratification. Being an exalted personality, he lived for a higher purpose. Such exalted beings are never to come again.

Blessed is the land of Bharat to have borne such an epitome of sacrifice. His father, being pleased, bestowed upon him the boon of wishful death.

The future kings of Hastinapura

Satyvati bore two sons- Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. After Shantanu’s death, Chitrangada ascended the throne. However he died battling with the Gandharvas. Young Vichitravirya then overtook the throne guided by Bhishma Pitamah.

Bhishma abducts the Kashi princesses

When Vichitravirya reached a marriageable age, the Grandsire forcefully abducted the three princesses of Kashi and displayed his warriorship. However, since the king’s eldest daughter, Amba loved Shalva, he sent her back to him.

Amba approaches Parshurama

Yet, Shalva refused to accept her, claiming that she already belonged to Bhishma who had abducted her. Bhishma too bound by the vow of celibacy, rejected her plea for marriage. Indeed, Amba blamed Bheeshma for her humiliation and sought Sage Parshurama’s help.

Parshurama fights with Bhishma

Lord Parshurama ordered Bhishma, “You had abducted Amba. Hence, it is your duty to marry her. Otherwise, be ready to fight me. Bhishma had no other alternative but to fight his guru and protect his vow, which was dearer to him than his life. Parshurama fiercely battled with the the great grandsire for 21 long days. Finally, at the behest of the rishis, Parshurama halted the war.

The Grandsire stood true to his vow despite the pressure of external circumstances. Such was his steadfastness.

Bhishma- the great grandsire

Bhishma knew the accord of the scriptures. He deeply felt for the Pandavas who had been wronged by their evil cousins, the Kauravas. He made numerous attempts to unite Duryodhana with the Pandavas.

But all in vain. Finally, the Mahabharata war took a toll on the entire kuru dynasty.

The Grandsire becomes the Kaurava commander

During the Mahabharata war, Bhishma earned the fame of formerly leading the Kaurava army.

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Lord Krishna attacks Bhishma Pitamah

The lord played a sweet pastime to prove the Grandsire’s devotion. Bhishma, one of the twelve Mahajans (elevated devotees of the Lord) shared a unique bond with Lord Krishna. During the war, Lord Krishna had vowed to be a passive participant. However, the grandsire jokingly vowed to falsify his words.

During the war, the Grandsire wounded Arjuna multiple times with his arrows.

Since Arjuna was fighting with a disinterested spirit, Lord Krishna ran to attack the Grandsire, holding a chariot wheel in his hands. Bhishma’s devotion was so great that the Lord falsified his words for the sake of his Bhakta.

Besides, Bhishma Pitamah glorifies Lord Krishna’s beautiful appearance in his final prayers, picturing this very scene that he held close to his heart, while breathing his last.

The Grandsire’s final moments

For 10 whole days Bhisma fought fiercely. Bhishma was invincible. It was nearly impossible to defeat him in war. Hence, the Grandsire himself suggested the plot of his defeat.

He told Arjuna-

“Use Shikhandi as your shield and fire arrows at me.” With reluctance, Arjuna glued the Grandsire to a bed of arrows. To quench the Grandsire’s thirst, he invoked goddess Ganga, his celestial mother.

Thus, the seer heartily drank her soothing waters. The undefeatable warrior then lay on a bed of arrows and waited patiently until all the assembled guests departed. His loyalty to the throne of Hastinapur is praiseworthy.

Being able and qualified himself, he chose to serve the ruler. During his last moments, the Grandsire rendered his priceless teachings to King Yudhistira. Interestingly, the Grandsire recited the Vishnu Sahasranam in the battlefield and proved his superior devotion. Bhishma Pitamah’s extraordinary bravery is incomparable.

At the northern movement of the sun, the great soul Bhishma left his mortal body, capturing Shri Krishna’s sweet memories in his heart.