hitopadesha

In the last post we read about the story behind Devavrata’s (Bhishma) birth. In this post we continue the story about the events that triggered Devavrata becoming Bhishma.

Many years passed after Ganges handed over the eighth son to Shantanu. He was named Devavrata which meant one who is loyal to God. In vedic system of life, ones own father is considered equivalent to God as he is the first Guru (or teacher) and a knowledge giver is even greater than God himself. This concept of treating ones father as God has another interesting story about Parashurama, one of Vishnu’s incarnation and his devotion and obedience to his father. But that is a story for another post. Devavrata true to his name was highly respectful to his father and his obedience and devotion to him was one of the rarest to be observed in the Hindu mythology. He grew up to be a fine prince with exceptional archery skills and military tactics. He was also well read about the scriptures and very wise for his young age.

One day, King Shantanu decided to go hunting in the forest, as was the normal recreation of the olden kings in Indian sub-continent. While wandering in the forest, he suddenly smelt one of the most divine perfume in the air and he was mesmerised by it. He started to follow the direction of the smell to see where it was originating. He soon came upon a river where he found a beautiful young lady sitting by a boat. She was a boat woman who helped people cross the river. Shantanu realised that the divine perfume was originating from her body and requested her to take him across the river so that he could spend some time with her alone. Her name was Satyavati and she was one of the most enchanting woman that Shantanu has ever met in his life. The perfume from her body perfume seemed to be mystical and irresistible. Soon both of them set sail and while crossing the river, Shantanu could not contain himself and asked her to marry him. She of course knew he was a king but as a dutiful daughter she told him that he should talk to her father if he wants to marry her. As their house was on the other side of the river, Shantanu immediately decided to talk to her father, who happened to be a fisherman, and convince him to marry his daughter to him, King Shantanu. He felt that it would not be a difficult task as who could refuse a wedding proposal from a King. But we soon see that he underestimated the fisherman.

As soon as they reached her house, the fisherman ran out to welcome the King and provided all the hospitality which he could afford. Finally after settling down, he asked the King what can he do to him that he has graced his humble house. Shantanu not wasting anymore time came right to the point and asked his daughter, Satyavati’s hand in marriage. The fisherman was delighted for a moment and then frowned the next.
Shantanu asked him if there was a problem and he replied that indeed there is one. As the King already had a son who everyone considered to be the worthy heir to his throne, he was worried as to what would happen to his daughter and the children he would have through her. If Devavrata turned hostile to his step mother after the King passed away, then his daughter would live an unhappy life. Hence he put forth a condition that he would be willing to give his daughter in marriage to the king, if he promised that the children born through her would become the next king. This of course came as a brutal shock to Shantanu as he did not expect any such thing from a humble fisherman. He tried to convince the fisherman that his son, Devavrata, was indeed a noble person and he need not fear any act of injustice from him. But no amount of convincing would change the mind of the fisherman and Shantanu left the place a very disappointed and a sad man as he could not think of not making Devavrata as the next king.

He returned to the palace and no longer had any zest in his life or the royal duties that he was expected to perform. He was lost in love for Satyavati and constantly thinking about her. He did not tell his son about any of the incidents. But Devavrata was worried about his father’s state of affairs and knowing his father only too well, he went and consulted his minister. His first question to the minister was, who is that girl that has stolen my father’s heart and left him to brood. The minister tells him about his father’s encounter with a fisherman’s daughter and how his father’s condition has left Shantanu in a conundrum. Devavrata immediately tells his minister to make arrangements for him to visit the fisherman as the duty of a son is to fulfil his father’s desires. Soon he visits the fisherman and tries again to convince him that he would do no such act of injustice to his step mother and that he would consider as his own mother. But the fisherman is not convinced and tells him that he cannot believe his words. Obviously this angers Devavrata who is well known for his commitment to truth and just acts. He then takes a vow in front of the whole village and keeping the Gods as witness that he would not claim his right to the throne and that Satyavati’s sons would indeed be the next king. Even this does not convince Satyavati’s father and he asks Devavrata as to what would happen if he were to be married and his sons claimed the right to the throne. Now he was pushing the situation too far but Devavrata was not to be deterred. He then calls upon everyone standing there at the scene and all the Gods in the heavens and takes a vow that he would from now on live the life of a celibate bachelor and that he would never marry. At this moment, the mythology states, that there was great thundering sound from the skies and the words “Bhishma” was heard repeatedly and all the Gods showered flowers upon him. From this moment Devavrata became known as Bhishma which meant, “he of the terrible oath” for his vow to celibacy.

Having heard of this incident Shantanu rushes to the scene but it is already too late and Bhishma has taken the vow of celibacy. Shantanu was sad and happy at the same time. Sad as his son made one of the greatest sacrifice and happy as he was now getting married to Satyavati. As his son has done a great deed, Shantanu blesses him and gives him a boon by which Bhishma can decide the time and place of his death and he would live as long as he chose to live.

Bhishma goes on to play a pivotal role in the Mahabharata epic and lives for a very long time spanning many generations of the Kuru family.
We shall see more interesting stories about Bhishma and how he solved a number of conundrums faced by him and yet never deviated from the path of his Dharma.

Hope you enjoyed this interesting story of how Devavrata became Bhishma and also it tells us how important it is to respect ones parents as they are the first knowledge givers when we are born vulnerable and ignorant. Until next time,

peace,
aditya.