ll~Ashtam Gangeya Bheeshma: Discussion Thread~ll - Page 6

I also thought that how can shantanu give his son Icha-Mrityu vardaan, but then I found out this story.

The father of Jaydrath too wanted to give him a Vardaan similar to Bhishma's, but he could not ,because all the Punya's he collected throughout his life were not enough for giving his son immortality, it was only enough for his son to live a long enough but not immortality.

Maybe the punya's of Shantanu were enough for him to give his son "Icha-Mrityu" vardaan.

Originally posted by: TheWatcher

I also thought that how can shantanu give his son Icha-Mrityu vardaan, but then I found out this story.

The father of Jaydrath too wanted to give him a Vardaan similar to Bhishma's, but he could not ,because all the Punya's he collected throughout his life were not enough for giving his son immortality, it was only enough for his son to live a long enough but not immortality.

Maybe the punya's of Shantanu were enough for him to give his son "Icha-Mrityu" vardaan.

This particular point seems quite fair. Shantanu had been a great ruler.

That answer seems right. Thanks 😊

Originally posted by: -Shruti

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

Originally posted by: varaali

While Shantanu may have been a great ruler et all, he was no great rishi to have the power to give such a boon.

This is how I understand the situation - What Shantanu gave Bhishma was an emotional filled paternal blessing. Like our elders say " Chiranjeevi Bhava". Similarly Shantanu may have blessed his son that may death never touch him. But there was no guarantee that he blessing would actually fructify.

So how did Bhishma then manage to hold off death till he wished? The answer probably lies in his practice of brahmacharya (celibacy). Brahmacharya does not only mean non- marriage but total restraint over mind / body and body functions. I am afraid I cannot be more explicit than this but, you can understand what I am trying to imply

Our Yoga - Shastras unequivocally claim that there is a direct co-relation b/w the practice of brahmacharya and longevity. Moreover, practice of brahmacharya is supposed to help in the practice of other yogic techniques.

In fact the death of Bhishma is beautifully described. In his final few moments, Bhishma closes all the nine openings of the physical body and directs his prana slowly upwards until it breaches the crown / sahsrakara chakra and through that aperture Bhishma's prana leaves the body.

So coming back to the point- what Shantanu gave Bhishma was just a paternal blessing and Bhishma was able to make it come true through his own practice of brahmacharya / yoga.

This is my understanding.

That's such a great understanding. Although I always felt that the practice of Brahmacharya was a reason he was so powerful, I never connected it with the Iccha-mrityu boon.

I've read the part where he leaves his mortal coil. Beautifully expressed, really.

Never knew the practice of Brahmacharya had this much power. 😲

Originally posted by: varaali

While Shantanu may have been a great ruler et all, he was no great rishi to have the power to give such a boon.

This is how I understand the situation - What Shantanu gave Bhishma was an emotional filled paternal blessing. Like our elders say " Chiranjeevi Bhava". Similarly Shantanu may have blessed his son that may death never touch him. But there was no guarantee that he blessing would actually fructify.

So how did Bhishma then manage to hold off death till he wished? The answer probably lies in his practice of brahmacharya (celibacy). Brahmacharya does not only mean non- marriage but total restraint over mind / body and body functions. I am afraid I cannot be more explicit than this but, you can understand what I am trying to imply

Our Yoga - Shastras unequivocally claim that there is a direct co-relation b/w the practice of brahmacharya and longevity. Moreover, practice of brahmacharya is supposed to help in the practice of other yogic techniques.

In fact the death of Bhishma is beautifully described. In his final few moments, Bhishma closes all the nine openings of the physical body and directs his prana slowly upwards until it breaches the crown / sahsrakara chakra and through that aperture Bhishma's prana leaves the body.

So coming back to the point- what Shantanu gave Bhishma was just a paternal blessing and Bhishma was able to make it come true through his own practice of brahmacharya / yoga.

This is my understanding.

And the power of Gangaputra! 😛

Bhishma was about to use which weapon against Parashuram? I forgot.