bhishma no-watermark
Bhishma’s fall is a pivotal and poignant event in the Mahabharata, marking a significant moment in the Kurukshetra War. Bhishma Pitamah, the granduncle of both the Kauravas and Pandavas, was a revered and formidable warrior who had taken the vow of lifelong celibacy and had sworn to serve the throne of Hastinapura.
Here’s a summary of the circumstances leading to Bhishma’s fall:
Bhishma’s Oath of Celibacy:
Bhishma was born as Devavrata, the son of King Shantanu and Ganga. Due to his vow of celibacy (Bhishma Pratigna), he renounced his right to the throne and dedicated his life to the service of the Kuru dynasty.
Conflict over the Throne:
Bhishma played a crucial role in the conflicts within the Kuru dynasty, including the Satyavati and Amba incidents, which ultimately led to the Kurukshetra War between the Kauravas and Pandavas.
Commander of the Kaurava Army:
Despite his deep affection for the Pandavas, Bhishma sided with the Kauravas in the war. He became the commander of the Kaurava army and fought on their behalf.
Formidable Defense:
Bhishma was virtually invincible in battle due to his incredible skills and the boon of choosing the time of his death. He fought valiantly, causing significant losses to the Pandava army.
Arjuna’s Dilemma:
Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes, was initially hesitant to fight against Bhishma, his beloved granduncle. This led to a temporary impasse on the battlefield.
Shikhandi’s Role:
Understanding that Bhishma had taken a vow not to fight against a woman, the Pandavas strategically placed Shikhandi, who was born female but later became male due to a boon, in the front lines. This allowed Arjuna to attack Bhishma.
Bhishma’s Blessing to Shikhandi:
Bhishma, recognizing the inevitability of his death, gave his blessings to Shikhandi before the battle. He vowed not to raise weapons against Shikhandi, paving the way for Arjuna to confront him.
Bhishma’s Fall:
On the tenth day of the war, Arjuna, with Shikhandi in the front, attacked Bhishma. Despite Bhishma’s formidable defense, Arjuna’s arrows pierced through him. Bhishma, lying on a bed of arrows, awaited the auspicious moment of his choosing to leave his mortal coil.
Bhishma’s Teachings:
During his time on the bed of arrows, Bhishma imparted valuable lessons and teachings to Yudhishthira on kingship, morality, and dharma.
Bhishma’s fall symbolizes the clash between duty and personal relationships, and his teachings during his last moments contribute to the ethical and philosophical aspects of the Mahabharata. His character remains an enduring symbol of sacrifice and devotion to dharma.