Tag Bhishma

Vishnu as Virata Purusha.image

Clash Of The Titans Fights Parasurama Bhisma

Bhishma, in his effort to get his step brothers married, was caught in a situation where he had to marry Amba, daughter of the King of Kasi for he attended the Swayamvara and Amba chose him: Bhisma refused to marry Amba explaining to her of his vow and the fact that he attended the Swayamvara only to choose a Bride for his step brother,Amba did not agree.

Parasurama, who is an Avatar of Vishnu, vowed to root out the Kshatriyas by engaging them in war and he vowed that he would never teach the Dhanur Vidya to Kshatriyas.

This is because his father Jamadagni was killed by Karthaveeryujana .

Be that as it may be, to go on..

Bhishma was an exception, he was taught the Dhanur Vidya by parasurama Himself( I do not have a satisfactory explanation for this, excepting my guess that Bhishma was taught by Parasurama before Parasurama took his vow;even this is faulty for in Ramayana, Lord Rama was challenged by Parasurama to fight him because his vow him, mind you Ramayana took place in Treta Yuga while Mahabharata took place on The Dwapara Yuga)

Now in this instance Parasurama, urged by Amaba fought furiously with Bhishma.

Bhishma remained undefeated.

Parasurama had to leave the field because Narada and Ganga stood in the middle of the furious battle.

Prior to the battle, Bhisma tells Parasurama,

'You are my Guru.

You know my Pratigya, Vow,

Yet you are forcing me to marry Amba , leaving me no choice to fight you.

Let me tell you, I am your disciple and I revere you, and My strength is reinforced by my Guru Bhaktii.

may be you have won the other Kshatriyas earlier,

This Bhisma was not born then"

'Na Bhayannapynukro saaanthartha.....Rama na samyaihi( Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva-17)

I shall post some more least known stories from the Hindu Epics and Puranas.

*Amba after her suicide; was reborn as Sikandi ; as Bhishma knew that she was a woman in earlier birth he vowed not to bear arms against Sikandi.

Krishna used Sikandi as a shield and had Arjuna kill Bhishma!

Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Bhishma Stuti, Janmashtami

Bhishma is the Grand Sire of all Hindus.

He is so revered that Hindus perform the Tharpana, which is performed by one for his ancestors, for him though Bhishma never married for He wanted his father's offspring by his second wife to ascend the throne.

As he has done what is impossible for a Man( Being a Naishtika Mrahmachari, that is not allowing semen to fall ), Devavrata was rechristened Bhishma(one who does the impossible).

Lord Krishna has(d)the highest regard for Bhishma.

It was mutual.

During the Mahabharata War, as Bhishma lay dying, Krishna takes the Pandavas to Bhishma's Death bed and asks Bhishma to advise Yudhisthir on Dharma.

Bhishma says,

'Krishna, You are Dharma,

Why do you ask me to do this?

You can do it by yourself'

(Throughout the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna addresses Bhishma as 'Grandfather!)

Krishna replies.

'Dharma , when spoken by The One who has practiced, is strengthened"

This, mind you, from Krishna!

Let me paraphrase one essential sloka form Bhishma Stuti, Bhishma's prayer of Krishna as addressed to Duryodhana -Bhishma Parva 67/24)

'Vasudeva is is the Devata among all the Devatas.

He is the Embodiment of Dharma.

He fulfills everyone's desires.

He id the best among everyone.

He is the Creator.

He is the Action and its performer.

He is the Yagya, Yagya Performer and its results.

He is Lord unto Himself.

He is in the present, past and the Future.

He created Prajapathi(Fater of all).

He is the austerity of the Seers.

He is the Dawn, Dusk , the time when day Day meets Night and night meets the Day, Day and Night.

He is the Infinite.

He is also Finite.

He supports the World,Vishnu.

He is Brahman Rudra,

He is the Sadguna Brahman.

He is the Father.He is the parent of all.

He is Vamana and Narasimha.

He is the Grand sire of the Universe.

He is easily accessible.

He resides in the heart of the Seers, Hrishikesa.

In whom Krishna is pleased,he will get everything.

If one is afraid and takes refuge in Him, he need not Fear.

One who loves Krishna, will transcend desires.

The Bhishma Stuti.