'...These arrows coursing towards me in one continuous line, whose touch resembleth that of heaven's bolt, have been shot by Arjuna. These are not Sikhandin's. Cutting me to the quick, piercing through even my hard coat of mail, and striking me with the force of mushalas, these arrows are not Sikhandin's. Of touch as hard as that of the Brahmana's rod (of chastisement) and of impetus unbearable as that of the thunder-bolt, those arrows are destroying my vital forces like messengers of Death commissioned (by the grim king himself). These are not Sikhandin's.--Only but the heroic wielder of Gandiva, viz., the ape-bannered Jishnu, even all other kings united together cannot cause me pain..."
The Grand sire was all agog. The death- all relieving, liberating- was arriving on a delicious train of shafts. Like a shunned bride whom he had never allowed anywhere near him during his lifetime, it was embracing him with renewed vigour. First time he relented and permitted her sweet approach... 'That which hath been resolved by thee is approved by us also, O son! Act according to thy resolution, O king. Withdraw thy heart from battle.'
"...Bhishma and Arjuna met together. Like unto the vortex that occurs at the spot where the Ganga meets the Ocean. Then that great bowman, Partha, stationed at the head of his troops, broke the centre of the Kuru army. They then, afraid of Kunti's son Dhananjaya having white steeds attached to his car, and afflicted by him with polished weapons, fled away from the battle. The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kaikeyas- these and many other illustrious warriors- afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Throw down, Seize, Fight, Cut into pieces...Then a furious uproar was heard in the vicinity of Bhishma's car. There was not in Bhishma's body space of even two fingers' breadth that was not pierced with arrows. He was mangled with arrows of keen points by Phalguni. And then he fell down from his car with his head to the east, a little before sunset... That foremost of all bowmen, that mighty-armed hero, fell down, like an uprooted standard of Indra, ppierced all over with arrows, his body touched not the ground. At that moment, a divine nature took possession of that great bowman lying on a bed of arrows. The clouds poured a (cool) shower (over him) and the Earth trembled. While falling he had marked that the Sun was then in the southern solstice. That hero, therefore, permitted not his senses to depart, thinking of that (inauspicious) season (of death)... Meanwhile the valiant and intelligent Bhishma, the son of Santanu, having recourse to that Yoga which is taught in the great Upanishads and engaged in mental prayers, remained quiet, expectant of his hour."
But for him, this was also a time to rejoice! For not a deceptive Gender, But his beloved Parth, Greatest of the warriors and favourite of his own Lord, was the one, honouring and availing his exit. But the exit? not yet! The sheer will through which he remained invincible in his life, was again summoned to decide its time: of his choice and his biding...
"...Ceased to fight, the kings of both armies, putting off their armour, all repaired to Bhishma. Desisting from the fight, thousands of (other) warriors then, proceeded towards the high-souled Bhishma like the celestials towards the Lord of all creatures. Approaching Bhishma who was then lying (on his bed of arrows), the Pandavas and the Kurus stood there, having offered him their salutations. Then Santanu's son Bhishma of righteous soul addressed the Pandavas and the Kurus --'Welcome to you, ye highly blessed ones! Welcome to you, ye mighty car-warriors!...My head is hanging down greatly. Let a pillow be given to me!'--The kings (standing there) then fetched many excellent pillows that were very soft and made of very delicate fabrics. The grandsire however said unto those kings with a laugh,--These, ye kings, do not become a hero's bed.'--Beholding the mighty-armed Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, he then said,--O Dhananjaya, O thou of mighty arms, my head hangeth down, O sire! Give me a pillow such as thou regardest to be fit!--'"
...Again He sought the velour, he called for the 'befitting' comfort of velour. He knew The velour'. He was not to be disappointed...
"...Stringing then his large bow and reverentially saluting the grandsire, Arjuna, with eyes filled with tears, said these words, O foremost one among the Kurus, O thou that art the first among all wielders of weapons, command me, O invincible one, for I am thy slave! What shall I do, O grandsire!--Unto him Santanu's son said,--My head, O sire, hangeth down!--O foremost one among the Kuru's O Phalguni, get me a pillow! Indeed, give me one without delay. Thou art conversant with the duties of Kshatriyas and thou art endued with intelligence and goodness!--Then Phalguni, saying,--"So be it."-- to do Bhishma's bidding, taking up Gandiva and a number of straight shafts, and inspiring them with mantras, then, with three keen shafts endued with great force, supported Bhishma's head... Then Bhishma of virtuous soul, conversant with the truths of religion, seeing that Arjuna, having divined his thought, had achieved that feat, became highly gratified. And after that pillow had thus been given to him, he applauded Dhananjaya..."
The grandson, soaked and enveloped within detaching aura of Gita, still can not stop that single salty drop of attachment. Kshatriya he indeed was. But so he was also the favourite Grand son of this great Hero. So he was also his legit and natural inheritor...His services were not yet over...
"...After the night had passed away, all the kings, the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras, repaired to the grandsire...Maidens by thousands, having repaired to that place, gently showered over Santanu's son powdered sandal wood and fried paddy, and garlands of flowers. The Grandsire, however, suppressing his agonies with fortitude, his body burning with these arrows, and himself nearly deprived of his senses in consequence of his weapon-wounds, cast his eyes on those kings and asked for water. Then those Kshatriyas brought thither excellent viands and several vessels of cold water. Beholding that water brought for him, Santanu's son said,--I cannot, O sire, now use any article of human enjoyment! I am removed from the pale of humanity. I am lying on a bed of arrows...He said,--I wish to see Arjuna!--The mighty-armed Arjuna then came there, and reverentially saluting the grandsire stood with joined hands, and said,--What shall I do?--Beholding then that son of Pandu, O monarch, thus standing before him after having offered him respectful salutations, Bhishma of righteous soul cheerfully addressed Dhananjaya, saying,--Covered all over with thy shafts, my body is burning greatly! All the vital parts of my body are in agony. My mouth is dry. Staying as I am with body afflicted with agony, give me water duly, O Arjuna! ...The valiant Arjuna then saying,--"So be it."- That foremost of car-warriors, mounted on his car, circumambulated that prostrate chief of the Bharatas and striking his Gandiva with force, began to stretch it. Aiming then a blazing arrow, after having inspired it with Mantras and identified it with the Parjanya weapon, in the very sight of the entire army, Partha, pierced the Earth a little to the south of where Bhishma lay. Then there arose a jet of water that was pure, and auspicious, and cool, and that resembling the nectar itself, was of celestial scent and taste. And with that cool jet of water Partha gratified Bhishma. "
"And Santanu's son, his thirst quenched, then addressed Jishnu, applauding him highly in the presence of all those kings, these words, "O thou of mighty arms, this is not wonderful in thee, O son of Kuru's race! O thou of immeasurable effulgence, even Narada spoke of thee as an ancient Rishi! Indeed, with Vasudeva as thy ally, thou wilt achieve many mighty feats which the chief of the celestials himself with all the gods, of a certainty, will not venture to achieve! Thou art the one bowman among the bowmen of the world! Thou art the foremost among men. As human beings are, in this world, foremost of all creatures, as Garuda is the foremost of all winged creatures; as the Ocean is the foremost among all receptacles of water; as the Sun is the foremost amongst all luminous bodies and Himavat among all mountains...The weapons appertaining to Agni, Varuna, Soma, Vayu, and Vishnu, as also those appertaining to Indra, Pasupati, and Paramesthi, and those of Prajapati, Dhatri, Tashtri, Savitri, and Vivaswat, all these are known to Dhananjaya alone in this world of men! Krishna, the son of Devaki, also knoweth them. But there is none else here that knoweth them. This son of Pandu, is incapable of being defeated in battle by even the gods and the Asuras together..."
And thus passed the baton of 'chief Gaurd of Hastinapur' from the greatest will-power of the Kuru to the greatest Worrior of the Kuru. Arjun soon became Senapati of Hastinapur, a post his Grandsire held in his Life, at the time of Yudhishtir's coronation...😊
(Red italics: From Bhishma Parva: KMG)
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
