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| Kurukshetra and After |
When Bhishma saw Vasudeva approaching, he was filled with ecstasy. "Come, O Lord! Have you really come down for my sake? Is it my good fortune to be separated from this body at you divine hands? May you take away this life and save me for all time to come!"
Seeing this Arjuna ran after Krishna and putting his arms around him said, "Stop Krishna, I beg of you. Do not break your word. You said you would not take up arms in this battle. I shall not falter now. Pray come back and take the reins." Krishna returned to the chariot and the battle was resumed. Soon the sun went down and fighting ended for the day.
On the tenth day Arjuna put Shikhandi in front of him and attacked Bhishma. Whenever Shikhandi's arrows pierced his chest, a great anger welled up within Bhishma. But knowing that his end was near he calmed himself. Shikhandi had been born a girl and it was against Bhishma's code of honour to strike a woman. Arjuna steeled his heart and, standing behind Shikhandi, aimed his arrows at the chinks in Bhishma's armour. Bhishma took his javelin and hurled it straight at Arjuna, but Arjuna cut it into three pieces in the air. Bhishma then dismounted from his chariot and, sword in hand, advanced towards Arjuna. But before he could go any further he toppled and fell, with so many arrows sticking into him that they prevented his body from touching the ground.
A loud cry went up from the people. Then a hush fell upon the battlefield. The two warring parties called a truce as they gathered around to pay Bhishma their last homage. When they came to his side, they saw how his body was held up by the arrows that had pierced it.
"Look!" they whispered, "The warrior lies upon a bed of arrows. What bed could be more fitting for such a soldier?" but he was in pain. His head hung down as he lay gasping for breath.
"A support for my head," he gasped. But when they brought him cushions and pillows he smiled gently and declined them turning his eyes upon Arjuna, who nodded, for he alone, understood what Bhishma said.
Arjuna shot three arrows in quick succession; they struck the earth near Bhishma's head. The warriors gently propped his head upon the arrows.
When Karna learnt that Bhishma lay wounded, he hurried there and fell at his feet, saying, "O jewel of our race, Radha's son bows humbly before you and seeks your blessing." When Bhishma heard these words, he was deeply moved and, placing his hand on Karna's head, blessed him. "Radha is not your real mother, young man," he said lovingly. "You are Kunti's first born, and the son of Surya. I know and admire your generosity and velour, and the fact that you belong to Arjuna's class in prowess. It is proper that you should be friend the Pandavas, for they are your brothers."
After Karna had heard him respectfully he replied, "I know, I am Kunti's son. But I am grateful to Duryodhana and must be true to him. Pray let me repay what I owe him. Forgive me, but I cannot do otherwise."
Bhishma pondered for a while and replied, "Do then as you have decided, for that is the right thing to do."
Bhishma's mouth and lips were parched and he gasped for water. But when they brought him water in gold and silver vessels he would not take it. He fixed his eyes on Arjuna again, who shot an arrow into the earth, causing a spring of cool, clear water to squirt into the great warrior's mouth. The sweet water refreshed him as he lay there. And yet, it was not time for him to go. | |
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