Sri Bhismadeva - Bhisma Ashtami - Bhisma Panchaka
Geneology:
From Vishnu were descended in the following order - Brahma-Atri-Candra-Budha
- Pururavas - Ayus - Nahusha- Yayati - Puru - Janamejaya - Prachinvaa -
Pravira - Namasyu - Vitabhava - Shundu - Bahuvidha - Samyati - Rahovadi
- Raudrasva - Matinara - Santurodha - Dushyanta - Bharata - Suhotra - Gala
- Gardda - Suketu - Brhatksetra - Hasti - Ajamidha - Riksha - Samvarana
- Kuru - Jahnu - Suratha - Vidaratha - Sarvabhauma - Jayatsena - Ravyaya
- Bhavuka - Chakroddhata - Devatithi - Riksha - Bhima-Pratipa-Shantanu-Bhishma.
Birth and Boyhood:
Bhishma's name in his boyhood was Devavrata. He was the
eighth son of Shantanu, a king of the lunar dynasty and Gangadevi. This
boy was the human embodiment of Dyau, one of the Ashthavasus. Shantanu,
his father was the re-birth of another king, Mahabhisheka. The story concerning
this is given in the Mahabharata as follows:
King Mahabhisheka after his death,
attained Vishnuloka. Once he went to visit Brahma at Satyaloka. At that
time Ganga devi was also present in Brahma's assembly. In that pious atmosphere,
a gentle breeze began to blow and Gangadevi's clothes were slightly deranged.
Just at that moment Mahabhisheka took a stealthy glance at her and she
also returned that glance. This was noted by Brahma who turned both of
them into human beings by a curse. Gangadevi begged pardon and Brahma lifted
the curse and blessed her that the Ashthavasus would come to the earth
to be born as her sons and that afterwards she could come back to heaven.
After that Gangadevi was born as a mortal woman in the world under the
name Ganga and she spent her days in the forests near the Ganga river valleys.
In those days the ruler of the lunar
dynasty was a king named Pratipa. Having no children he went to the bank
of the Ganga and performed tapas there. Gangadevi who was moving about
in the forests nearby, saw the king deeply absorbed in tapas. She approached
him and sat on his right thigh. She wanted the king to be her husband.
He explained to her that the right thigh is the proper seat of the daughter-in-law
and so she would become his son's wife in due course. In due course of
time, Pratipa has a son, Shantanu, born to him. When Shantanu grew up into
a young man, one day he went for a hunt to the Ganga-valley and there he
met Gangadevi. He fell in love with her at first sight and courted her.
Gangadevi agreed to become his wife on the condition that he should not
say anything to displease her and if he violated that condition she would
leave him. The king accepted the condition and they became man and wife.
At about that time, the wife of Dyo,
one of the Ashthavasus, happened to see the sacrificial cow of the sage
Vasishtha
and wished to have it. She expressed her desire to her husband, Dyo. Dyo
with the other seven vasus went and took away by force Vasishtha's
cow. Vasishtha in his anger cursed the Ashthavasus to be born as mortals.
they repented and begged pardon from Vasishtha. The sage told them that
all of them would be born as the sons of Gangadevi and all except Dyo,
who actually stole the cow, would return to heaven at the time of birth
itself. As for Dyo, he would continue to live in the world for a long time,
as an adventurous hero.
Gangadevi became pregnant and gave
birth to her first child. She carried the child to the river Ganga and
threw it into the river. Shantanu who followed her up to the river bank,
did not say anything against her, remebering his promise.
Seven children were born to her and
she threw all of them into the river in this way. When she gave birth to
the eighth child Shantanu insisted that he would not allow her to throw
away that child in the river. As he had violated the conditions of his
promise, the angry Gangadevi left the palace with her child. She named
it Devavrata and brought him up in the forest. The sage Vasishtha and Gangadevi
taught him all branches of knowledge. Thirtytwo years later, the king went
to the same forest for hunting. He saw a handsome by stopping the flow
of the river Ganga. Getting interested in the boy, the king approached
him. But by that time he had disappeared. The king prayed to Gangadevi
to give back the child. She appeared with the child and after handing over
the child to him vanished. The king returned to the palace with the child
(Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapters 95-100.)
The name of Bhishma:
Devavrata was anointed, as heir-apparent. One day king
Shantanu reached the forest near the Ganga river valley, for hunting. As
he was hunting absorbed in the beauty of the forest scenery, he felt the
perfume of musk filling the air in the forest. He wondered from where it
could come. He went on and on trying to find out the source of this smell
until he reached the cottage of a fisherman. The fisherman had a daughter
named Satyavati. It was from her that the fragrance of musk spread all
around (Satyavati's original name was Kali. The fisherman got her from
the stomach of a fish. Since she had a smell of a fish she got the name
Matsyagandhi. She used to assist a fisherman in his work as a ferryman
in the river Ganga. Once the sage Parasara happened to get into her boat
and fell deeply in love with her. The sage removed the smell of fish from
her and gave her the perfume of musk instead. By this mystic power he created
a mist at noon and under its cover, he had a sexual union with her. As
a result of it the child Krsna (Vyaasa) was
born. The child immediately left the mother to perform tapas in the forest
after promising to return to her whenever she wished for his presence.
Although she gave birth to a child, Parasara blessed her that she would
again remain a virgin. The whole episode remained a secret. As usual, Satyavati
returned to the fisherman's cottage in the evening and continued to live
with him. It is at this stage that Shantanu was attracted by the perfume
of musk and came to the cottage where he met Satyavati.
The king fell in love with her at
first sight. He asked the fisherman to give the girl in marriage to him.
But the brave fisherman did not yeild to the king's demand immediately.
He laid down several conditions; one of which was that Satyavati's sons
should succeed to the throne of Shantanu. The king was in a fix. Devavrata
was the eldest son and heir-apparent. To deny kingship to his sons would
be highly improper. Unable to find a solution to this difficult problem,
the king returned to the palace, much depressed and gloomy. there he avoided
all company and took to his bed, passing his time in sadness and solitude.
When Devavrata knew about hism father's
condition, he called the Ministers and asked them about it. They told him
everything in details. At once, without informing even his father, Devavrata
went to the fisherman's cottage on the bank of the river Ganges and begged
for Satyavati on behalf of his father. the fisherman repeated his former
condition. Devavrata agreed that Satyavati's son shall be given the right
of kinship. The fisherman pointed out that disputes were likely to arise
between Devavrata's sons and Satyavati's children regarding the right of
succession to the throne. At once Devavrata stood up and made a solemn
pledge (drdavrata) that he would remain a bachelor for life. The fisherman
gave Satyavati to Devavrata to be taken to the king. Devavrata took her
to the palace and presented her to his father. The king, when he came
to know of the part played by his son in that matter, rose from his bed
and embraced Devavrata with tears of joy and gratitude. the gods showered
flowers on the scene. Because he had taken such a solemn oath, it was decalred
that henceforth he would be known by the name BHISHMA. The loving father
Shantanu also gave him a boon that Bhishma would die only when he wished.
(Mahabharata. Adi Parva, Chapter 100.)
(Vettam Mani. 1975. Puranic Encyclopaedia. page 134-135.)
The
Passing away of Bhismadev:
Relections
on Bhishma Panchaka - Ekadasi Period and Fasting etc.
The Descent
of Mother Ganga
