Austerity!

Arjuna pierced Bhisma with 10 arrows & at last cut down his royal emblem. When Bhisma picked up another bow, Arjuna immediately cut it to pieces. The Grandsire finally ran out of bows & so he lost all desire to further combat Arjuna, even though latter continued to pierce him with numerous arrows


Bhisma said to Duhsasana: Both Arjuna & I are incapable of being slain. Sikhandi's arrows hardly cause me any pain, nor do those released by other Pandava warriors. Only Arjuna's arrows hurt me to the very quick


After saying this, Bhisma picked up a fierce dart & hurled it, but Arjuna easily cut it into fragments with his arrows. Then, desiring to either gain victory or death, Bhisma picked up his sword & shield and started to dismount from his chariot. However, before the Grandsire could put his feet on ground, Arjuna cut his shield into a hundred fragments


Yudhisthira urged his entire army to attack Bhisma so that there was a great onrush of Pandava warriors as Dhartarastras protectively surrounded Grandsire. Arjuna attacked Kauravas so violently with arrows that they began to scatter forsaking their commander-in-chief. Numerous Pandava warriors thus surrounded Bhisma, desiring to kill him. The Grandsire's body was so covered with arrows that there was not a single vacant space between any two arrows that would allow passage of two-fingers


Finally, a little before sunset, while being assaulted by entire Pandava army, Bhima fell from his chariot with his head facing east. Upon Bhisma's fall, cries of anguish could be heard from sky, as well as from assembled kings on battlefield. As Bhisma fell, so did hearts of all Kaurava warriors


Being pierced all over, Bhisma didn't actually touch ground but lay, as it were, on a bed of arrows. From above, Bhisma could hear voices questioning one another: Why would this great hero voluntarily give up his life while the sun still remains in southern hemisphere?


Bhisma replied: I have not yet given up my life & will certainly do so at the proper time


Gangädevi sent some great sages to her son, who took form of swans that reside at Manasa-sarovara. After circumambulating Bhisma, swans questioned one another: Why would this great hero & possessor of mystic power give up his life while the sun still remains in southern hemisphere?


Hearing this, Bhisma reflected & replied: Celestial swans, I had received a benediction that enables me to die at my own will. So I'll maintain my life until sun crosses into northern hemisphere, providing an auspicious time for me to quit my body


When Pandava warriors saw Bhisma fall from his chariot, they shouted with great joy, whereas Duryodhana & other Kuru warriors became stunned with grief & shed tears


manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ

bhāva-saṁśuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam ucyate


Best training of mind is gravity in thought. Here Bhisma was fully Krsna conscious as he decided to leave his body accepting will of the Supreme Lord


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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