18 days of the great Mahabharata war was over! Bhishma- the grand Sire of the Kuru race was lying down on the bed of arrows! He was undergoing severe pain. On the eighteenth day, when the war ended, Lord Krishna with Pandavas came to Pitamaha Bhishma. The wounded veteran looked at Lord Krishna and asked, ‘O Lord! O Keshava, It is believed that this earth is the land of Karma! One has to pass through the Karmic result that he did in his past life good or bad! O Madhava! Tell me, which sin did I commit in my previous birth that I am suffering so much now?’
Lord Krishna in a cheerless face said, ‘O Bhishma, one suffers as per his Prarabdha karma! In your past life, you shot an arrow at an innocent bird who fell into thorny bushes. But the bird didn't die immediately! It remained there being trapped in the bushes for 18 days! He got severe pain before his death. During that time, he had cursed you to get the same pain as he got!’
Bhishma understood what Lord Krishna indicated!
Bhishma was an ardent admirer and devotee of Lord Krishna. He believed Krishna’s divinity worshiping him as the Supreme soul! He was one of the most powerful warriors in the Kuru dynasty. He had such a magnificent personality, so why did Bhishma suffer till his death? It was the result of the karma of his past life!
He was one of the eighth Vasu in his previous life. Dyoi, the eighth Vasu urged by his wife, stole the divine cow of Sage Vashishtha. Knowing the abduction of his divine cow by his yogic power, the rishi got furious. He cursed the Vasus to be born in human form. Hearing his curse, they begged his forgiveness. Sage Vashishtha felt pity for them and reduced their curse saying, ‘You will be freed from the curse, the moment you will take your birth on the earth except Dyoi- the eighth Vasu. He was the main culprit and he had to stay on earth for a longer period. But he would be exceptional! Somehow, his strength and bravery were misused by the Kauravas.
Bhishma was a brilliant example of— loyalty, devotion, wisdom, and truthfulness. During his stay with his divine mother Ganga, he had accomplished all the knowledge in Vedas, Vedangas, scriptures from great Rishis, and knowledge of warfare from Lord Parshuram! He was an expert in everything.
Devavrata as the first name of Bhishma, was born to King Shantanu and goddess Ganga as their eighth child and the only survivor out of eight children. He was destined to suffer in that life! For the sake of his father’s happiness, the devoted son Devavrata made the ultimate sacrifice by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy! This was not enough his destiny played with him, he took another terrible oath of never to claim the throne of Hastinapur! Hearing the terrible oath or Bhishma Pratingya, the gods chanted the name Bhishma! Thenceforth, Devavrata was known as Bhishma! When King Shantanu came to know about the sacrifice he made for him, he was overwhelmed and granted him ‘Icchha-Mrutyu’ which means he will die only when he wishes to!
To satisfy the Hastinapur people, Bhishma had taken another vow that he would be there to serve and protect the throne of Hastinapur till his death! He had determined to show his loyalty to the King whosever it may! This vow became a blot on his clear, noble character! He stuck to his promise without giving importance to the other critical situations!
For his brother Vichitravirya, Bhishma forcibly kidnapped the Kashi princesses- Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika by his prowess. Amba didn't agree to marry his brother as she had already devoted herself to Shalya as her husband. So, Vichitravirya married to Ambika and Ambalika. When Amba was sent back to Shalya, he refused to accept her being humiliated and defeated by Bhishma in the combat. Thus, out of frustration, Amba killed herself taking a vow to be the cause of death of the veteran Kuru grand-Sire Bhishma, son of Shantanu in her next life! Ironically, Vichitravirya died without leaving behind him any heir to continue the Kuru race! At last, Dhritarastra and Pandu were born to Ambika and Ambalika by Sage Vyasadeva.
Bound by his vow to protect the throne, Bhishma supported Kauravas plunging himself into Adharma. He loved both Pandavas and Kauravas equally. Being aware of the wicked tricks played against Pandavas, he couldn't extricate Duryodhana from the power! He tried his best to give justice to Pandavas but couldn't! In his presence, arrogant Duryodhana summoned Yudhishthira and played the unfair dice game. Draupadi was dragged to the Shabha-Hall by Duhshashana to disrobe her in public! That was the ultimate insult one could give but though Bhishma strongly denounced the act, couldn't save her modesty! These were the blunders that entangled in his Karmic result for the future. He was just a silent spectator to every odd event performed by Duryodhana and his wicked friends!
The Kurukshetra war began! In the first ten days of the war, Bhishma became the commander-in-chief of Kauravas. He witnessed the wrong side and fought for them. He promised before Duryodhana to crush the Pandava troop. Enraged with Duryodhana’s harsh words, he killed the enemies and looked like a second Yama, the God of Death! Looking at his dreadful appearance, Pandava armies flew away here and there on the battlefield. Nobody could dare to face him.
Lord Krishna was the guide, teacher, and friend of Arjun! His every single command was obeyed by Parth at any time! 'The tenth day of war was the last day for Bhishma', this was known to all the Pandavas and Lord Krishna.
On the tenth day of war, Arjun showered his sharp arrows on Pitamaha Bhishma keeping Shikhandi in front of him. At last, Bhishma fell from his chariot to the ground. His body was lying on the bed of arrows! There was no space on his body where Arjun’s arrow was not pierced through! He got severe pain on his dangled head. When he asked for a pillow, no one but Arjun could provide him with the right pillow that he desired! He then asked Arjun to satisfy his thirst. The third Pandava took his Gandiva bow, chanted some divine mantra then shot the arrow into the ground. The pure water gushed out from the earth and fell on his mouth satisfying his thirst! Bhishma lay down on that arrow bed awaiting Uttarayana of Suryadev!
Thus, Destiny has the ultimate power to control everybody’s life! The action and choice may or may not synchronize as we wish! Pitamaha Bhishma as stubborn as he was to keep his rigid vows, supported the side of Adharma. In the end, Lord Krishna asked him if he had any desire or any worries, and to that, Bhishma told him no person could have any more desire or pain after seeing Him- the Supreme Being! Krishna smiled and blessed him to be free from any type of pain! Lord Krishna also requested Pitamaha to guide King Yudhishthira on Rajadharma before his Mahaprayana!
Krishna loved Bhishma. He praised the unwavering glory of Bhishma again and again before everyone! Whatever may come, one should always follow the path of Dharma!
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