Devavrata Bhishma: Strongest warrior in Mahabharat?
Devavrata Bhishma or Pitamaha Bhishma or Gangaputra Bhishma, is he the strongest warrior in the battle of Mahabharat?
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| Devavrata Bhishma: Strongest warrior in Mahabharat? |
He was 8thand the only surviving son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga. When he was born his mother Goddess Ganga gave him the name ‘Devavrata’ and he was made the heir apparent of the Kuru Kingdom. When he came to know that his rights were against the happiness of his father, he ceded his rights and took the oath of Lifelong Celibacy. Because of this fierce oath he came to know as ‘BHISHMA’. He was blessed by his father to live as long as he wanted.
When he was born Ganga promised Shantanu to return his heir. She took Devavrata to different realms to get trained and educated by distinguished Sages.
- Ø Brihaspati, the son of Angiras and preceptor of Devas taught Devavrata the Dandneeti and Political Scieince.
- Ø Shukracharya also had an important role in training of Devavrata.
- Ø The sages Vashisthaand Chyavana also taugh Vedas to Devavrata.
- Ø Eldest son of Bramha, Sanatkumara taught Devavrata the mental and spiritual sciences.
- Ø Sage Markandeyaalso taught Devavrata the duties of Yati.
- Ø Lord Parshuram trained Devavrata warfare.
- Ø Indra, the king of Devas bestowed celestial weapons to Devavrata.
After many years, When Shantanu was roaming on the bank of Ganga River, he observed a young man blocking the currents of river with a dam made up of arrows. Goddess Ganga appeared from the river and handed her son back to Shantanu. That’s why Devavrata is also known as Gangadatta.
_to_his_father%2C_Santanu..jpg/263px-The_scene_from_the_Mahabharata_of_the_presentation_by_Ganga_of_her_son_Devavrata_(the_future_Bhisma)_to_his_father%2C_Santanu..jpg "Devavrata Bhisma: Strongest warrior in Mahabharat?") |
| Goddess Ganga handing back Devavrata to King Shantanu |
He was made apparent heir to the throne by his father. But after some days for the happiness of his father, he took the fierce oath of lifelong celibacy and ceded his rights as apparent heir to the throne.
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| Devavrata took the fierce oath and came to known as Bhishma |
Bhishma once went to Kashi and abduct all the three princesses to marry them to his half brother Vichitravirya. But one of them Princess Amba showed discontent on her marriage because she loved Shalva, the ruler of Saubala Kingdom. After knowing the feelings of Amba, Bhishma returned her to Shalva with all respect. But Shalva denied to marry her and enraged Amba came to Hastinapur and warned Bhishma for revenge. She went to Sage Parshuram and told all her story to him. Parshuram got furious and called Bhishma in Kurukshetra.
Bhishma came to Kurukshetra and greeted his teacher, Parshuram asked him to marry Amba but he showed discontent due to his oath. Parshuram warned him death and a battle started between them. The battle lasted for 23 days, both used celestial weapons but no one got defeated. On 24th day Bhishma attempted to use Prashwapastra, but Sage Narada and other Gods intervened and told him that it could destroy the world. The battle was declared a Stalemate.
Ambika and Ambalika were married to Vichitravirya but he died in young age due to some disease and there was no heir to the throne. Satyavati approached Bhishma to marry the widows to so that an heir of the throne could be born but he denied because of his vow. Ambika and Ambalika got impregnated by Sage Vyasa, premarital born son of Satyavati.
Three sons were born one by Ambika, one by Ambalika and third one from a maid. All three were educated by Bhishma in all the aspects of life. The eldest one Dhritrashtrawas blind that’s why he was denied the throne and Pandu, the younger one was made the king. Dhritrashtra was married to princess of Gandhar Gandhari while Pandu was married to Kunti and Madri. Dhritrashtra had hundred sons and Pandu had 3 sons from Kunti and 2 from Madri.
Kuru sons hated Pandavas from their childhood and tried to kill them multiple times and that hatred made the consequences worst that lead Pandavas and Kurus to Kurukshetra War.
Bhishma being 5 generation older was one of the strongest warriors in the battle ofKurukshetra. Arjuna being the superior Archer was unable to defeat Bhishma. Even Shri Krishna who vowed to not raise a weapon lifted a chariot wheel to kill Bhishma who was standing in the way of Pandavas victory.
| Shri Krishna armed with his Sudarshan to kill Bhishma |
Bhishma was defeated by Pandavas by tactics. On the 11th day of Kurukshetra war Arjuna was accompanied by Shikhandi who was daughter of Panchal King Dhrupada. Seeing a woman in front of him, Bhishma stopped firing arrows and Arjuna fired so many arrows that pierced Bhishma’s body and he fell on the ground on the bed of arrows. After the sunset, Bhishma asked Arjuna for a pillow that can suit a warrior in the battlefield. Arjuna fired three arrows to support the head of Bhishma and one arrow into earth to rose up a jet stream of water to Bhishma’s mouth.
He waited about 58 days after the war on the bed of arrows to give up his body on the first day of Uttrayana. Magha Shukla Ashtami marks the day as the death anniversary of Bhishma Pitamah, and the day is known as BHISHMA ASHTAMI.
