A story · Mahabharata — Stories

Bhishma on the Bed of Arrows

Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva 120

The story · English

Sanjaya tells Dhritarashtra how the Pandavas placed Sikhandin before them and surrounded Bhishma. Together with the Srinjayas, they struck him with a terrifying array of weapons, including spiked maces, battle-axes, mallets, and arrows with golden wings. His coat of mail was pierced everywhere, yet Bhishma felt no pain. To his enemies, he looked like the destructive fire that rises at the end of an age. His bow and arrows were the flames, the flight of his weapons was the breeze, and the bodies of heroic warriors served as the fuel for this fire. He rolled through the crowds of enemy chariots, appearing and disappearing from the press of the battle like a force of nature.

Bhishma ignored the king of the Panchalas and Dhrishtaketu, penetrating deep into the Pandava army. He pierced Satyaki, Bhima, Arjuna, Drupada, Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna with sharp, impetuous arrows that could penetrate any armor. In return, these six warriors struck Bhishma with great force. Sikhandin shot arrows whetted on stone and furnished with golden wings that penetrated Bhishma's body. Arjuna, filled with wrath, rushed forward with Sikhandin ahead of him and cut off Bhishma's bow. This act enraged seven other car-warriors, including Drona, Jayadratha, and Salya, who rushed at Arjuna with celestial weapons, their uproar sounding like a raging ocean at the end of a Yuga.

Hearing the noise, the Pandava warriors including Bhimasena, Ghatotkacha, and Abhimanyu rushed to protect Arjuna. A fierce battle broke out between them and the Kaurava warriors, resembling the ancient war between the gods and the Danavas. While Arjuna protected him, Sikhandin pierced Bhishma with ten shafts and struck his charioteer and the chariot's standard. Bhishma took up a tougher bow, but Arjuna quickly cut it off with three sharp shafts. Arjuna, who could draw his bow even with his left hand, continued to cut off every bow Bhishma took up. In a rage, Bhishma hurled a massive dart capable of riving a hill, but Arjuna shot five broad-headed arrows that split the dart into fragments.

Bhishma reflected on the battle. He knew that if Vishnu did not protect the Pandavas, he could slay them with a single bow. However, he decided not to fight them because of their unslayableness and the femininity of Sikhandin. He remembered the boons his father gave him: that he could not be slain in battle and that his death would occur only by his own choice. He decided the hour was right for his death. The Rishis and Vasus in the sky approved of this resolution, and a fragrant breeze blew while celestial cymbals beat and flowery showers fell. Only Bhishma and Sanjaya could hear the words of the Rishis and Vasus, and the celestials grieved at the thought of Bhishma, the favorite of all the worlds, falling from his car.

Despite the arrows piercing him, Bhishma rushed at Arjuna. Sikhandin struck him in the chest with nine sharp arrows, but Bhishma remained as unmoved as a mountain during an earthquake. Arjuna then pierced him with twenty-five arrows, followed by hundreds more in every vital part. Bhishma returned fire with great speed, checking the enemy's shafts with his own. Arjuna again placed Sikhandin in front and cut off Bhishma's bow and his chariot's standard. Every time Bhishma took up a stronger bow, Arjuna shattered it within a twinkling of an eye. Finally, Bhishma no longer desired to battle Arjuna, though the latter continued to pierce him with twenty-five more arrows.

Bhishma told Dussasana that Arjuna, who was piercing him alone with thousands of arrows, could not be vanquished even by Indra, while he himself could not be vanquished even by the gods, Danavas and Rakshasas united, much less by men. He told Dussasana that only Arjuna could cause him such pain. He explained that the arrows hitting him were like heaven's bolt and the touch of maces, piercing through his mail and destroying his vital forces like messengers of Death. He insisted that these were the works of the heroic wielder of Gandiva, for no other kings united together could cause him pain. Bhishma then hurled a dart at Arjuna, but Arjuna cut it into three fragments in full view of the Kuru army. Bhishma then took up a sword and shield, but Arjuna shattered the shield into a hundred pieces.

King Yudhishthira urged his troops to rush Bhishma. Warriors attacked him from all sides with axes, scimitars, and lances. A loud shout arose from the Pandava host, answered by the leonine shouts of the Kauravas who wanted Bhishma to win. The collision of the two armies was like a vortex where the Ganga meets the Ocean. The earth became wet with gore and the surface was unrecognizable. Despite his wounds, Bhishma remained calm and slew ten thousand warriors. However, Arjuna eventually broke the center of the Kuru army. Many illustrious warriors, including the Sauviras and the Malavas, fled the battle in fear of Arjuna, abandoning Bhishma as he fought alone.

Surrounded by a multitude of warriors, Bhishma was covered in a shower of arrows until there was not two fingers' breadth of his body left unpierced. Just before sunset, he fell from his car with his head to the east. The celestials and kings of the earth cried out in sorrow. He fell like an uprooted standard of Indra, making the earth tremble, but, pierced all over with arrows, his body did not touch the ground. Bhishma noted that the sun was in the southern solstice, an inauspicious season for death. When celestial voices asked why he should die during the southern declension, he answered, 'I am alive!' He resolved to hold onto his life until the northern solstice, utilizing the boon that allowed him to choose the moment of his passing.

Ganga sent Rishis in the form of swans from the Manasa lake to visit Bhishma. They agreed that a high-souled person should not pass away during the southern declension, and flew away southward. Watching them, Bhishma confirmed his resolve to them, stating he would wait for the northern solstice to return to his ancient abode. Meanwhile, the Kaurava army was devastated. Duryodhana and Kripa wept, standing motionless and deprived of their senses. The Pandavas and their allies blew their conches and trumpets in victory, while Bhimasena shouted in glee. Some warriors censured the Kshatriya order, while the Rishis, Pitris, and deceased ancestors praised Bhishma's high vows. Bhishma remained quiet, engaged in mental prayers and Yoga.

Dhritarashtra grieved deeply upon hearing of the loss of the god-like Bhishma. Sanjaya described how the sun dimmed and the earth seemed to shriek when the son of Santanu fell. The Kauravas stood in shame with hanging heads, while the Pandavas celebrated. Dussasana informed Drona of the slaughter, causing Drona to fall from his car in shock. Drona then forbade the Kaurava army from continuing the fight, and the Pandavas also ceased their attack. Both armies approached the fallen Bhishma to offer salutations. Bhishma welcomed them, but noted that his head was hanging down. He rejected the soft pillows offered by the kings, asking Arjuna to provide a pillow fit for a hero.

कथा · हिन्दी

In this book

• Before: Arjuna Lays Down His Bow · Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva 25
• Next: Abhimanyu and the Wheel · Mahabharata, Drona Parva 45
• All of Mahabharata — Stories · Ask Krishna about it

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