MH_06_05 Fall of Bhishma

பீஷ்மர் களத்தில் சாய்தல்

(Mahabharata – Bhishma Parva)

The war continued from the fourth day. Salan’s son was killed by Drishtadhyumna, Maghatha King was killed by Abhimanyu. Bhima destroyed the entire army of elephants and his son Gadothgaja destroyed the entire Kaurava army. Next day Bhurisravas, the son of Somadutta,  killed Satyaki’s ten sons.  On th eighth day of war, Arjuna’s son Iravan (son of a Naga Princess with Arjuna) caused large destruction to Dhuryodhana’s army and killed Shakuni’s brothers. He was encountered by Rakshasa Alambhusa, the brother of Bakasura, who was earlier killed by Bhima in the forest. The battle lasted long with Iravan showing his prowess with Nagas. Finally Alambhusa showed his maya shakthi and took the form of Garuda, and killed Iravan. Arjuna lamented his son’s death, finally Bhima killed Alambhusa.

Dhuryodhana was not satisfied with Bhishma’s warfare and wanted to bring Karna to the battlefield. He tried to persuade Bhishma to allow Karna to enter the war. Bhishma smilingly said that no one can win against Arjuna accompanied by Lord Krishna who were Nara-Narayana themselves. However he promised to do his best. On the ninth day, Bhishma caused major destructions to the Pandava army. On the ninth day, Krishna once again took his Sudharshana Chakra and got down from the chariot to kill Bhishma. Arjuna again ran behind him and pacified him to come back.

Yudhishtra was worried that they could not win the war as long as Bhishma was alive. He consulted Krishna and all of them went to Bhishma on that night. Yudhishtra with his brothers fell at the feet of Bhishma and told him that they could not win the war as long as Bhishma was fighting against them. Bhishma smilingly agreed and felt that he was standing between Pandavas and victory and he wanted Dharma to win, which is on the side of Lord Krishna. He suddenly lost interest to live. Bhishma had a boon from his father Shantanu that death would reach him only when he desired it. That time has come now and Bhishma wanted to relinquish this mortal world.

Bhishma told the Pandavas that he would not fight Shikandi, the son of Drupatha as he was originally born as woman converted later to a man. (See Shikandi’s story here). So he advised the Pandavas to keep Shikandi in the front and fight with him.

Next day Shikandi was leading the Pandava Vyuha accompanied by Arjuna and Bhima. The entire Pandava Maharatis attacked Bhishma and Bhishma showed immense prowess to destroy the army attacking him. All his safety attires were torn, despite that Bhishma was waging a tremendous war. After Bhishma destroyed their army, Arjuna confronted Bhishma  with Shikandi in the front. Shikandi hit Bhishma but Bhishma never responded and ignored him. Shikandi’s arrows were not able to penetrate through Bhishma.

Bhishma was a so great warrier that non one on earth or in Deva loka could defeat him. He was invincible. Bhishma thought ” If Madusudhana (Krishna) was not protecting them, I would destroy everyone in no time. But I do not want to kill the Pandavas; I do not want to fight with Shikandi who was born a woman. My father (Shantanu) had given me a boon to receive death whenever I like. Now is the time for that. I will welcome death now. ” On listening to this, the Rishis and Seers welcomed Bhishma.

But the distraction caused by SHikandi was sufficient for Arjuna to attack Bhishma consistently and sent his arrows through out the body of the great Pithamaha (grand father).

There was not an inch of space in the body of Bhishma which was not penetrated by Arjuna’s arrows. Bhishma smilingly said these are Arjuna’s arrows, not of Shiakndi’s. Saying so, the great son of Ganga, the protector of Hastinapura, the man of extreme wow, the man who relinquished his throne and marital life for his father, that Devavrata fell on the ground with arrows penetrated completely.

கோடுகொண்ட செம்பவள நாதம் வந்துவந்து செவிகூட முன்பு நின்ற நிலையே

நாடி நெஞ்சு அழிந்து திருநாமம் அன்புடன் தனது நா குழன்றுகொண்டு நவிலா

ஓடுகின்ற அம்பொழிய நீடு உடம்பு அடங்க முனை ஊரனின்ற அம்புஓர் அணையா

வீடுமன் கிடந்தகிடை தேவர்கண்டு உவந்தனர்கள் மேல்விழுந்தது அம்பொன் மலரே.

(வில்லிபாரதம், வீட்டும பருவம். பத்தாம்போர் சருக்கம், 3031)

He was listening to the sound of Panchajanyam of the Lord and visualising him sitting in the Chariot and with these divine thoughts he fell down. His body did not touch the earth but he was lying on the bed of arrows. The Devas showered flower petals on him celebrating his greatness.

The warriors from both side ran towards his crying and surrounded him. Arjuna was sobbing and Bhishma said to him, “My head is without support; help it stay straight”. Arjuna took three arrows and supported the head and Bhishma was comfortable. Bhishma’s tongue became dry and wanted water. Duryodhana rushed with scented water, but Bhishma refused and looked at Arjuna. Arjuna then sent his arrow piercing the earth and from the hole, out rushed river Ganga and poured water on the parched tongue of her son and Bhishma quenched his thirst with his mother.

Bhishma said to all that he would not leave the earth till Uththarayana Punyakaalam arrives. He advised Duryodhana to continue the war with a new chieftain. The Sun went down with the great Pithamaha left alone in bed of arrows in the battlefield.

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