The Grandsire's Fall
Bheeshma Sharad-shayya
The fall of the invincible patriarch. Bhishma choosing the moment of his death, lies on a bed of arrows, imparting final wisdom as the sun turns north.
For ten days, Bheeshma is invincible. Realizing he cannot be defeated by force, the Pandavas use Shikhandi (who was Amba in a past life) as a shield. Bheeshma lowers his weapons, and Arjuna pierces him with countless arrows. The great sire falls on a bed of arrows, choosing to wait for an auspicious time to leave his body.
Key Takeaways
- Karma acts across lifetimes (Amba's revenge)
- Attachment to duty can lead to tragic conflicts
- The body is temporary, but the will can conquer death
Chapter 20 - The Grandsire's Fall
Common questions and insights about this chapter
Bheeshma had a vow never to strike a woman or anyone who had been a woman. The Pandavas used Shikhandi (who was Amba in a past life) as a shield. Bheeshma lowered his bow, and Arjuna shot him with hundreds of arrows.
So many arrows pierced Bheeshma's body that when he fell, he did not touch the ground but rested on a bed made of arrow shafts. He lay there, alive but immobilized, waiting for the right time to die.
Bheeshma had the boon of 'Ichha Mrityu' (death at will). He chose to wait on the bed of arrows until the sun entered the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana), which is considered an auspicious time for a yogi to leave the body.
Chapter 20 Quiz
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