Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part C

 Bhishma in battle - on the day Bhishma was like an elephant which treads down the marsh reeds, like a fire that burns the dry withering forest. In his chariot he advanced gloriously and great was the carnage he brought to battle. Yudishthira was in dispair and spoke to Krishna when it became night Brishma vowed not to slay who had been born a woman because it would defame him/ llet shikhandin be therefore sent against him with arjuna. 

arjuna said i cannot fight behind another or achiece the fall of bhishma, i loved him as a child and called him father. I would rather parish than slay a saintly hero 

Bhishma repied it is fate that he will die tomorrow he fought against the ones he loves and so must you...you must fight against him. arjuna was sent with sikhandin born a woman. once again duryodhana sought to prevail against Bhisma to give place to karna and bhishma asnwered this day will i overcome the pandavas or perish on the battle field . then he went and challenged arjuna a terrible conflict arrived and it lasted for many hours.  at firt sikhandn charged bhishma and when he saw this he put his arms down for he could not slay a woman then the arrow of arjuna pierced bhishmas body and the peerless old fellow lay wounded till his death came closer.  there was great sorrow and arjuna wept as a son weeps for his father and carried water to bhishma. Yudhishthira cursed the day the war began and they all lamented together 

 

bhishma spake to duryodhna saying hear the counsel of thy dying kinsman if thy heart can be moved you will bring this slaughter to an end. restore yudhishthira to his kingdom and make peace. he spoke in vain for duryodhana now grew more hatred in his heart than before for the pandavas 

karna came to the field and bhisma said unto him  proud rivals have we two been jealous of eachother and ever at strife. my voice fails and yet i must tell you that arjuna is not greater than thou are on the battlefield nor is he higher in birth for you are son of kunti and sun of surya as arjuna is your brother it would be well for you to bring his strife to an end but bhishma spoke in vain for karna hated his brother and thirsted for his life 

a guard was set round bhishma who lay supported by a pillow of arrows waiting for his demise he did not die till after the great conflict was ended.

 

Bhishma in battle.

 

 

 Bibliography: Source. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). [300 words