Bhishma

Bhishma

Bhishma had a warrior rank of MahaMaharathi. Affiliation: Kaurava. Originally named ‘Devavrata’, he was the eighth son of the Kuru King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. Bhishma was blessed with a boon from his father that he could choose the time of his death or he may remain immortal till he desires. He was related to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas through his half-brother, Vichitravirya (Son of Satyavati). He was one of the best archers and one of the greatest warriors of his time and he was trained by Lord Parashurama. On one of the occasions, he gave a tough fight to Parashurama- a feat achieved by no other Kshatriya.

Quote

“The Vedas that are in thy body, and the high status of Brahmana that is also in thee, and the ascetic merit thou hast earned by the severest of austerities, I do not strike at these! I strike, however, at that Kshatriyahood which thou, O Rama, hast adopted! When a Brahmana taketh up weapons, he becometh a Kshatriya. Behold now the power of my bow and the energy of my arms! Speedily shall I cut off that bow of thine with a sharp shaft!–Saying this I shot at him..
And those fierce arrows of tremendous impetus, resembling snakes, or fire, or poison, coming at me from all sides, pierced my very vitals and caused me to tremble. Summoning all my coolness then addressed myself for the encounter, and filled with rage I pierced Rama with a hundred arrows. And afflicted with those hundred blazing shafts resembling either fire, or the sun or looking like snakes of virulent poison, Rama seemed to lose his senses! Filled, O Bharata, with pity (at the sight), I stopped of my own accord and said,–Oh, fie on battle! Fie on Kshatriya practices! And overwhelmed, O king, with grief, I repeatedly said,–Alas, great is the sin committed by me through observance of Kshatriya practices, since I have afflicted with arrows my preceptor who is a Brahmana endued with a virtuous soul!–After that, O Bharata, I ceased striking Jamadagni’s son any more. At this time, the thousand-rayed luminary, having heated the earth with his rays, proceeded at the close of day to his chambers in the west and the battle also between us ceased..” – The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Uluka Dutagamana Parva: Section CLXXXII

Similar Posts

  • Satyakarman

    Satyakarman had a warrior rank of Rathi. Affiliation: Kaurava. One of the five Royal Brothers of Trigarta Quote “Having felled all the steeds, he then proceeded against the cars of the Trigartas. At this, the great car-warriors of the Trigartas, uniting together, covered Arjuna and Vasudeva with showers of shafts. Assailing Satyakarman with a razor-headed…

  • Chekitana

    Chekitana had a warrior rank of Rathi. Affiliation: Pandava. Chekitana was a Vrishni warrior who was close to Pandavas. He was present at Draupadi Swayamvara and when Pandavas entered the hall constructed by Maya in Indraprastha for the first time.] Cekitāna was with them. He was a valorous warrior, who fought with warriors like Susharma,…

  • Rukmi

    Rukmi had had a warrior rank of Rathi. Notes from title: during Mahabharata. Rukmi was the ruler of Vidarbha. He was the son of king Bhishmaka and elder brother of Rukmini. Quote “Rukmi said “’If, O son of Pandu, thou art afraid, I am here to render thee assistance in the battle…. I will slay…

  • Vajradatta

    Vajradatta had a warrior rank of Rathi. Affiliation: Pandava. Vajradatta was the son of ruler Bhagadatta. He succeeded his father. Quote “Verily, urged on by Vajradatta, that prince of elephants quickly moved towards the mighty car-warrior of the Kurus, with the tread of one that seemed to dance in excitement. Beholding that beast of Vajradatta…

  • Ulupi

    Ulupi had a warrior rank of Warrior. Ulupi is the daughter of the Naga king Kauravya, who ruled the underwater kingdom of serpents. The Nagas are a mystical race of serpent-like beings with human attributes. They can change shape and can create illusions. She proposed to and married Arjuna while he was in Vanvas ordered…

  • Bhima

    Bhima had a warrior rank of Ati-Maharathi. Affiliation: Pandava. Bhima is the second born of the Pandavas. He was the son of Pandu and Kunti and spiritual son of Vayu. The Mahabharata relates many events which portray the might of Bhima. Physically, Bhima was the strongest person on Earth after Hanuman and Balarama. Bhima killed…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *