Why do I adore Bheeshma? Why not others? This query often stuck my mind and finally I got lost in yawning thoughts, trying to locate a fitting response. I've spend sleepless nights thinking about various events he was involved in. I worship Bheeshma because he's the most tragic character of Mahabharata. I adore him because he's the most selfless creature who ever existed on this planet. There are various other reasons. He's someone with whom I can connect myself to...the same isn't for the rest of the characters. I failed to connect myself to them although I tried.
Just as a sun burns all its life in misery, giving all and desiring for nothing in return, the height of self-sacrifice, such was the destiny of Bheeshma. He never did anything for himself and nothing brought a bit of gladness for him. His life was led by loneliness, misery, frustrations. He was born to suffer, and that's what happened ever since he took the "Bheeshm Pratigya". So perhaps this is the reason the physical pain didn't bother him on the Bed of arrows. Actually as per the curse Prabhasa had received, he was born to lead a miserable and lonely life without a wife or sons struggling to serve his household because Prabhasa stole the cow on his wife's insistence. And also, Vashishtha cursed him that a woman would be the reason of his death as his affection for his wife led the Vasus become thieves.
I feel the curse was a bit harsh considering the crime and the guilt Prabhasa must have felt later. But rishis used to be like this, especially when it came to their miraculous cow. I feel pity that this curse ruined a great existence. Wouldn't this Gangaputra had been the greatest king?
So the misery, the selflessness is something which connects me to Bheeshma, his pain is so evident, so incurable. And he was a true "Man of words". There have been unaccountable oaths so far, but is there a second Bheeshma? No, and can never be. Now coming to a warrior Bheeshma, I believe that a man becomes a true warrior only when he has the character of a true warrior along with powers. Bheeshma had both the power and character. This is the reason he received a boon to remain invincible by Lord Parashurama as well as rest of the gods. For me he's the greatest warrior, he proved it too. Bheeshma never cheated and even while fighting at the Kaurava side to maintain his promise to protect his kingdom, he never attacked the Pandavas. His soul and blessings were with them and that's why he himself revealed the secret of his downfall to them when Yudhi went to seek his advice with Krishna. Some of his choices in life may not have been perfect. But every character is inspiring in its own way, nobody was perfect. History cannot be changed!
I believe him fighting at the Kaurava side too was a part of his destiny as there was no other way Shikhandi would have been the reason of his death. It's unimaginable what Shikhandi would have done in case he was on the Pandava side. He suffered throughout his life due to his Karma of previous birth, the curse had written his poignant destiny already.
Noblest, purest, and most-compassionate chivalrous warrior who existed thousands of years ago...therefore...then..I adore him!
Tum Se Tum Tak
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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