Bhishma

INTRODUCTION :


 Bhishma was the main character in Mahabharatha, and he was well known for observing celibacy throughout his life. He was the son of   Shantanu and goddess Ganga. His birth name was Devavratha, and he lived in the dwapara yuga. His other names are as follows:- 1. Devavrata 2. Gangaputra 3. Shantanava 4. Pitamaha 5. Mahamahima

Once King Shantanu saw Ganga Devi (River Ganges) and wanted her to marry him. They married, and she later gave birth to seven sons. But she drowned all the seven childs.

When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, stopped Ganga devi from doing it. Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu about the curse given to the eight vasus by the sage vashishta, when they tried to steal his cow. Since the seven other vasus did not commit big mistakes, they were released from the curse by Ganga by drowning them in the river. However the eighth child Bhishma, was cursed to live a long life. After Devavrata was born, his mother Ganga took him to different places, where he was trained by many great sages such as Brihaspati, Shukracharya and Markandeya. Devavratha, became known as Bhishma, after he took the oath of observing celibacy till the end of his life, due to his father’s marriage with the fisherwoman Satyavathi, and the promise made by him to Satyavathi’s father, that he would never marry and occupy the kingdom’s throne. In the great battle at Kurukshetra, Bhishma was on the side of the Kauravas. Finally he was laid down by Arjuna’s arrows. After a few days, he was died. IMPORTANCE Bhishma was a great valour and a strong personality, who was very generous to both the kauravas and the pandavas. Though he was at the side of kauravas, he respected pandavas, and worshiped Lord Krishna. He was a great scholar, a good archer, and a master in all forms of art.

CONCLUSION:

Bhishma who was the one among the eight vasus (Divine Deva), in his previous birth, was a great man, who maintained his promise in observing celibacy till his death, for the sake of his father. He was a clever and a good person, who was always interested in doing good things to the people, and was the son of “GANGA DEVI”. Let him bless us and give all the propensities in our life.

“OM SREE BHISHMAYA NAMAHA”
“OM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VASUDEVAYA NAMAHA”
“OM SREE GANGA DEVIYE NAMAHA”


SENT BY

R.HARISHANKAR