In the previous episode, we had witnessed a critical turnaround moment in the entire Kurukshetra war, wherein on the tenth day afternoon, Bhishmachaarya fell down severely injured by Arjuna’s and Shikhandi’s arrows piercing him. As soon as Shikhandi comes in front of Bhishmachaarya, the latter slowly and gradually starts to refrain from fighting the war and takes arrow after arrow on his body! Shikhandi succeeds in breaking the protective shield of Bhishmachaarya and subsequently upon Bhishmachaarya’s request, Arjuna fires him with multiple arrows all over his body as Bhagawan Krishna actively watches it from Arjuna’s chariot. Bhishmachaarya is finally happy and satisfied that he has had the opportunity to be hit by a great warrior in the form of Arjuna, and in the divine presence of Bhagawan Krishna. Thus, as there is no single inch in his body to be pierced by Arjuna’s arrows, Bhishmachaarya falls down from his chariot and lies on the ground, supported by a “bed of arrows”.
It is to be noted here that Bhishmachaarya’s body doesn’t touch the ground. He lies on top of a bed of arrows and his head hangs down without support. As this happens, the entire world starts trembling. The Devas look at the ghastly sight with utter shock and disbelief! The Kaurava army could not believe what has just unfolded! As Bhishmachaarya falls down, many people around him think that he has passed away! Thus, all the Maharishis who were there in the vicinity along with the other key warriors rush towards Bhishmachaarya to see what has happened. At this point, Bhishmachaarya’s “Atman” has not separated from his physical body. Bhishmachaarya replies to all of them thus, “Oh! Today I’ve been overpowered by a great warrior called Arjuna and on a given normal day it is impossible. However, due to the presence of Bhagawan Krishna on their side and because of the fact that I stood on the side of “Adharma”, this was bound to happen. Victory is assured for that side with which Bhagawan Krishna is standing by and there’s no second thought about it! Wherever “Dharma” is present, Bhagawan Krishna will always be there! Oh great Maharishis and warriors! Please do not think I’m dead! I’m very much alive! As this is the “Dakshinaayanam” season, I do not want to die during this time. I shall wait till the “Uttharaayanam” season, which will come in a few months time. Once the “Uttharaayanam” arrives, I will pass away from this world once and forever! I have obtained a boon that I can decide on the day when I shall depart from this world!”
Thus, as Bhishmachaarya has fallen down, the “Hamsa” birds from Manasarovara Kshetra immediately arrive at the place. These “Hamsa” birds are extremely divine in nature and they come and pay their respects to Bhishmachaarya. Even the Devas including Indra, Yama-Dharma-Raja, Varuna, etc. arrive at the spot and make a “Pradakshinam” (Circumvention) around Bhishmachaarya and pay their respects towards the great leader of the “Kuru Vamsam”. As the Maharishis worship Bhishmachaarya, they provide their divine “Anugraha” to him by saying thus, “Oh great Bhishmachaarya! You are definitely destined to reach the “Svarga Lokha” and hence, please continue to wait until the right time arrives for it!” Bhagawan Krishna looks on as all the Maharishis provide their divine “Anugraha”. Bhagawan Krishna doesn’t utter a word here and He is just standing there silently! We might have a question here – While “Maharishis” are blessing Bhishmachaarya, why is Bhagawan silent? Why is He not blessing Bhishmachaarya? The answer is very simple – If the great Maharishis provide their divine “Anugraha”, this itself is enough! Bhagawan doesn’t need to say anything further! It is imperative that Bhagawan has given His “green signal”, the moment the Maharishis bless Bhishmachaarya with the divine Svarga Lokha. Moreover, as we’ve seen earlier too, Bhishmachaarya himself is a great “Aachaarya” and there’s nothing that Bhishmachaarya hasn’t achieved spiritually in this world! Bhagawan Krishna knows all this and hence, He decides to keep silent!
Moving on further thus, as Bhishmachaarya falls down, both the Paandavas and the Kauravas rush towards him. All of them are in tears! Arjuna is crying profusely and so is Yudishtra too! Duryodhana is shell-shocked! This entire scene is being narrated by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra at Hastinapura palace and upon listening to it, King Dhritarashtra couldn’t believe his ears! How can the invincible Bhishmachaarya fall down so easily like this? Dhritarashtra violently asks Sanjaya this question and for today let us understand up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 