Introduction
Bhishma, born as Devavrata, is the son of King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. He is the grand-uncle of both the Kauravas and the Pandavas, and one of the central figures of the Mahabharata.
This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.
Family
- Father: Shantanu
- Mother: Ganga
- Siblings: Chitrangada (son of Shantanu), Vichitravirya
The vow
When his father wished to marry Satyavati, Devavrata gave up his claim to the throne and vowed that he would never marry or father children. From this terrible vow (bhishma) he took the name Bhishma. His father granted him the boon of choosing the time of his death.
Regent of Hastinapura
After Shantanu, Bhishma raised his half-brothers' families and served the Kuru throne. When Vichitravirya needed a wife, Bhishma won the three princesses of Kashi, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, at their swayamvara and brought them to Hastinapura. Amba, who loved another, was sent away and later became his enemy.
Teacher and elder
Bhishma was the elder and adviser of the Kaurava and Pandava princes and arranged for their education under Kripa and Drona. He was present at the dice game. When Draupadi asked whether she had been lawfully staked, Bhishma said that the question of dharma was subtle, and he did not stop the insult.
The war
Bhishma was the first commander of the Kaurava army and fought for ten days. On the tenth day, Arjuna, with Shikhandi standing before him, shot him down. Bhishma would not fight Shikhandi, whom he regarded as born a woman. He lay on a bed of arrows until the sun turned north, and only then chose to die. During those days he taught Yudhishthira about dharma and government, which forms much of the Shanti Parva and Anushasana Parva.
Previous birth
The Mahabharata says Bhishma was the Vasu Dyaus (or Prabhasa), one of the eight Vasus cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth.