How to Live & Die! 

After answering to so many questions, Bhisma said to Maharaj Yudhisthira: You should cast aside the grief that you feel due to thinking that you are the cause of destruction of your friends & relatives. The truth is that everyone is killed by Eternal time, which represents the supreme will of Sri Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead & Supreme One above all others

You had acted instrumentally in the hands of Sri Krsna & for this reason you should feel the greatest satisfaction. Indeed, if anyone wants to serve his ultimate self-interest & award himself the highest benediction, he should become an unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Lord

After hearing this, the assembly turned toward Sri Krsna & with folded hands they mentally worshipped Him with great awe and reverence. After a long pause, Vyāsdev suggested: My dear son of Santanu, now that Maharaj Yudhisthira’s equilibrium has been restored by listening to your instructions, he should be dismissed so that he can return to Hastinapur

Bhisma said: Dear Yudhisthira, both my physical & mental strength are weakening & so I can understand that the time for quitting my body is rapidly approaching. My only request is that you cast off your feverish mentality once & for all. Pls do not fail to return here when the time comes for me to finally give up my material body

After passing 50 nights in the Kuru capital, Yudhisthira could understand that the time had arrived for the sun to cross into the northern hemisphere. With all necessary paraphernalia for performing Bhisma’s funeral, he came to where Bhisma was lying

Standing with folded hands, Yudhisthira said to Bhisma: If you are still able to hear me, pls give me your order

Bhisma opened is eyes & with deep resounding voice said: I’m happy to see you. Now, after lying here for 58 nights, the auspicious time for my departure has arrived

Turning to Dhritrāshtra he said: Be assured that Yudhisthira will be always obedient to you. Do not grieve for all what has transpired, especially considering how wicked & envious your sons were

Bhisma then turned his full attention to Sri Krsna. While offering prayers, he requested Him to permit him to leave his body. In response Sri Krsna smiled magnanimously & assured Bhisma that after relinquishing his mortal body, he would be reinstated in his original position of one of the Vasus. When he saw that his final moment was about to arrive, Bhisma embraced all & begged them to always remain fixed in righteousness

Bhisma then fell silent as he fixed his mind & gaze upon Sri Krsna, who mercifully stood before him. He withdrew his senses form all external engagement & proceeded to raise his life-air upwards. Miraculously, from whatever part of Bhisma’s body the life-air was raised, all wounds became instantly healed

Suddenly Bhisma’s life-air penetrated the top of his skull & proceeded upwards towards heaven like a blazed meteor. Flowers rained from above. Funeral was held & after cremation, a procession was led to Ganga where everyone offered water to Bhisma’s departed soul. Gangadevi rose up from water & she wept profusely

Bhisma gives us lesson on how to leave this body

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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