ll~Ashtam Gangeya Bheeshma: Discussion Thread~ll

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halfbloodprince

@Wistfulness

Achiever

+ 8

Posted: 11 years ago

#41

Alok Shankar ji's another poem: Bheeshm Pratigya

Dinkar apna tej tyag, sheetalta dharan kar len
Ya shashi apni dhawal jyoti saare pindon se har len,
Agni tyag de pavitrata, Ganga tyage nij dhara
Amrit kalash vish barsaye, mrit ho jaye jag saara
Swarg dharatal mein jaye, kinnar danav ho jayen
Ya apne hi priya madhukar ko kusum maar kar khayen
Mahi dol jaye lekin purusharth nahi dolega
Toot jaye ambar lekin yah vachan nahi tootega,
Main ashtam Gangeya aaj yah bheeshan pran karta hoon
Brahmacharya plan karne ka paavan vrat dharta hoon.

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varaali

@varaali

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 11 years ago

#42

It seems strange that the most intense, thought - provoking, philosophy laden discussions take place in the most bizarre and tense circumstances.

The Yudhi- Yaksha samavada took place beside the dead bodies of his brothers, on the shore of a poisonous lake.

The Bhagavata Gita took place...well everyone knows where

The third most significant discussion place when Bhishma with arrows pierced all through his body, was counting the number days till Uttarayan.

With sixty five days more to go, Krishna approaches the Grandsire and asks him to impart all the knowledge he had acquired through scriptures, experience and from learned men to Yudhishthira, the would be king of Hastinapura.

Bhishma asks with a smile - Why doesn't Krishna do the same? Why make this old man, struggling with pain and fatigue impart wisdom to Yudhishthira? After all Krishna was equally capable, if not more capable.

Krishna told Bhishma that though he could give these teachings to Yudhishthira, he wanted Bhishma's name and righteousness to be remembered forever. Your utterances will be on a par with the Vedas and will bring undying glory to you."

Then Krishna gave Bhishma a special boon: I will grant you a boon. This pain and this weakness will not be there till you die. Your memory will be unclouded. Your perception will be as keen as the blade of a sword. You will be able to unravel the most intricate knots of the mysteries of the universe. You will know all that there is to know.' Whereupon Krishna removed all of Bhishma's pain and distress, so that his faithful devotee might perform his final duty to him.

Thus begins one of the most comprehensive lectures on State Governance. Covering the latter half of the Shanti Parva and the whole of the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma discourses on matters relating to Rajyaneeti, Arthaneeti, Danda neeti and Praja neeti.

I am of the opinion that a discussion on the merits of Bhishma's discourse is irrelevant today, since everything has changed from the days of Dwapara Yuga till today.

What Bhishma preached may have been relevant in those days; it's efficacy cannot be measured today.

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varaali

@varaali

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 11 years ago

#43

However a few observations made by Bhishma are worth mentioning.

At one stage, Bhishma says unequivocally :

" Niyato yatra Dharmo Vai, Tamshankha samachara" Where Dharma is clear, practice it without hesitation.

This naturally made Yudhishthira ask "What is Dharma?"

Bhishma replies thus:

Tadrisho ayam anuprashno yatra dharmaha sudurlabaha

Dushkamha pralisankhyatum tatkenatra vysvasyathi
Prabhavarthaya bhutanam dharmapravachanam kritam
Yasyat prabhavasamyuktaha sa dharma iti nischayaha.

It is most difficult to define Dharma. Dharma has been explained to be that which helps the upliftment of living beings. Therefore, that which ensures the welfare of living beings is surely Dharma. The learned rishis have declared that that which sustains is Dharma.

A verse oft quoted by Gandhiji, highlighting the importance of Ahimsa also occurs here:

Ahimsa paramo Dharma ahimsa parama Daama...

...Ahimsa parama mitram Ahimsa parma Sukahma

...Ahimsa paramam Satyam

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halfbloodprince

@Wistfulness

Achiever

+ 8

Posted: 11 years ago

#44

I remember reading that Bhishma's pain, sufferings were removed by lord Krishna. And I also read that he drank only water on the bed of arrows.

Yes! Indeed the most intense and thought provoking discussions took place on the footing of the most absurd moments.

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halfbloodprince

@Wistfulness

Achiever

+ 8

Posted: 11 years ago

#45

Someone tell me how could Shantanu give the 'Iccha-mrityu' boon to Devavrata?

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INSTIGATOR

@INSTIGATOR

Dazzler

Posted: 11 years ago

#46

Very interesting information. I didn't know about Krishna's boon.

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INSTIGATOR

@INSTIGATOR

Dazzler

Posted: 11 years ago

#47

Originally posted by: -Shruti
Someone tell me how could Shantanu give the 'Iccha-mrityu' boon to Devavrata?

This is something I never understood. Shantanu had any such power?

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halfbloodprince

@Wistfulness

Achiever

+ 8

Posted: 11 years ago

#48

As far as I know, he had no such powers.

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halfbloodprince

@Wistfulness

Achiever

+ 8

Posted: 11 years ago

#49

I guess people of that era could give a boon/curse in such particular moments when their emotions were at extreme.

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Diala D

@...Diala...

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 11 years ago

#50

i cant check for citation now but what my vague memory says is someone gave Shantanu the boon which he transferred to Bhishma.. I might be wrong or this might be a folklore..

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