Bhishma Pitamaha Mahabharata: Story, Vadh & Family Tree

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.