Who is Bhishma in Mahabharata?
Bhishma was the eighth son of King Shantanu of the Kuru dynasty and the river goddess Ganga.In Sanskrit, the name “Bhishma” signifies “One who undertakes a formidable vow and steadfastly fulfills it.” Bhishma possessed the rare ability of icchamrityu, enabling him to choose the time of his death. As a formidable warrior and archer, his prowess was unmatched, often likened to the strength of four maharathi warriors combined.
Bhishma Pitamah Father
Santanu bhishma father
Father of Bhishma was King Shantanu, he was a noble and just ruler of Hastinapura. Shantanu’s life was marked by love, tragedy, and duty. Despite facing various challenges and dilemmas, Shantanu always strived to uphold righteousness and fulfill his duties as a king. His story intertwines with many key events in the Mahabharata, especially concerning his son Bhishma and the succession crisis within his kingdom.
Bhishma Mother
Ganga Bhishma Mother
Bhishma mother name was Ganga the goddess of the sacred river Ganges. She descended to Earth at the request of King Bhagiratha to cleanse the souls of his ancestors.
Bhishma Pitamah Son
Bhishma didn’t had any Son. He took a vow of celibacy, which means he promised never to marry or have kids. His dedication was to ensure that his father’s lineage continued through other means. So, Bhishma remained a lifelong bachelor, focusing on his duties and responsibilities.
Bhishma Pitamah Age
Bhishma Pitamaha’s age at the time of his death was around 145 years.
Bhishma Mahabharata Story
His birth was intertwined with a curse upon the Vasus, leading to their incarnation on Earth. Raised under the guidance of prominent sages and mentors, Bhishma mastered various disciplines, including political science, warfare, and spirituality. He took a solemn oath of celibacy, known as the Bhishma Pratigya, to ensure the succession of the throne and sacrificed his own right to rule.
Bhishma’s resolve was tested when his father, Shantanu, desired to marry Satyavati, a fisherwoman. To fulfill his father’s wishes, Bhishma renounced his claim to the throne and vowed to remain celibate. This selfless act earned him divine recognition and the boon of icchamrityu, granting him control over his own death.
Bhishma vs Parshurama
Bhishma’s clash with Parshurama was like a showdown of legends, filled with honor and duty. It all started when Bhishma refused to marry Amba, leading to a fight with Parashurama, his guru. Despite Bhishma’s vow to never marry, Parashurama insisted he wed Amba. But Bhishma stuck to his principles, even though it meant fighting his beloved teacher. The battle lasted 23 intense days, with neither Bhishma nor Parashurama backing down. At one point, Bhishma tried to use a powerful weapon, but divine forces intervened to stop him.
Finally, with the persuasion of Narada and the gods, Parashurama called for peace.
Amba Reborn as Shikhandi
Amba’s story didn’t end with her defeat in the battle against Bhishma. Despite Parashurama’s advice to forgive, she remained determined to seek vengeance. Through rigorous penance, she gained Lord Shiva’s boon to be reborn as Shikhandi, a man destined to play a pivotal role in Bhishma’s demise. Thus, her tale continued into a new life, driven by the singular purpose of fulfilling her vow of revenge.
Bhishma role in Kurukshetra War
In the Kurukshetra war, Bhishma, despite his immense prowess and loyalty to Hastinapura, found himself torn between duty and dharma. He led the Kaurava forces for ten days, tirelessly battling on the battlefield. True to his word, he refrained from harming the Pandavas, whom he loved deeply. However, his grand-nephew Duryodhana accused him of favoring the Pandavas, unaware of Bhishma’s equal love for both sides.
During the war, Bhishma’s invincibility posed a formidable challenge to the Pandavas. However, realizing that his continued presence hindered their victory, Bhishma hinted at his weakness to them. He revealed that if a woman were to confront him, he would lay down his arms. Acting on this advice, the Pandavas used Shikhandi as a shield, leading to Bhishma’s fall on the tenth day of battle.
Bhishma Pitamah Vadh
bhishma pitamah vadh
After the stormy tumultuous Kurukshetra war, Bhishma, lying on his bed of arrows, imparted invaluable wisdom on governance to Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava prince. This dialogue, known as Bhishma Neeti, emphasized the primacy of Raja-dharma, the duty of kingship, and the importance of serving subjects with compassion. Bhishma elucidated principles of taxation, stressing the need for judicious use of revenue for the welfare of the kingdom and the maintenance of a reserve fund.
He underscored the significance of selecting wise ministers and fostering piety and devotion in leadership. Bhishma’s teachings served as a guiding light for ethical governance, emphasizing righteousness, compassion, and devotion to the divine. In his final moments, Bhishma, having fulfilled his duty to the Kauravas, focused on spiritual contemplation. He shared his insights with Yudhishthira, urging him to uphold righteousness despite the challenges. With unwavering resolve, Bhishma awaited the opportune moment to transcend the mortal realm, leaving behind a legacy of noble ideals and virtuous governance.
Throughout his life, Bhishma remained loyal to the throne and served whoever ascended it, regardless of personal desires. His unwavering commitment to duty and sacrifice made him a revered figure in Indian mythology, symbolizing honor, integrity, and devotion to principles
Bhishma Ekadashi 2024
Bhishma Ekadashi, celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing moon in the month of Magha, marks the recitation of the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama by Bhishma Pitamaha. This auspicious day falls two months after Krishna imparted the Gitopadesha to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra War. Bhishma, lying on his bed of arrows, revealed this sacred hymn to the Pandavas under Krishna’s request. The Vishnu Sahasranama, considered the essence of the Bhagavad Gita and Vedas, serves as a powerful shield against negativity and grants peace and liberation to devout practitioners.
Bhishma Pitamah Family Tree
bhishma family tree
Here’s a simplified family tree outlining his lineage:
Ancestor: Maharaja Shantanu
Wife: Ganga (Ganges River, personified)
Sons: Bhishma (Deva Putra, the son of Ganga and Shantanu)
However, Bhishma himself remained celibate and did not have any descendants, making his lineage limited to his parents.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bhishma Pitamah
Who killed Bhishma Pitamah?
Bhishma Pitamaha was not killed by anyone he chose the time of his death and laid down his life willingly.
What was Bhishma Pitamah Real Name?
Bhishma Pitamaha real name was Devavrata.
How many days Bhishma was on arrow bed?
Bhishma Pitamaha remained on the arrow bed for 58 nights during the Kurukshetra War.
