Who is the one who reached God
through the path of Shanta Bhakti (equanimity in devotion)? It was
Bhishma, who made a severe vow and kept it meticulously. He was the son of Ganga.
For the good of the world, he sacrificed all his pleasures and all his aims in
life. He undertook a fiercely austere vow. He put an end to his physical and
mental life and led a Divine life. He was an epitome of self-sacrifice.
Finally, for the sake of his country, he led the army to fight the Pandavas.
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| Bhishma on the bed of arrows on the battlefield of Kurukshetra talking with the Pandavas and Lord Krishna |
On the ninth day, he collapsed, pierced by the arrows shot by Arjuna. Arrows
were sticking out from all over his body. So, when he fell, he did not touch
the ground but remained on the bed of arrows. He was an embodiment of peace. He
asked Arjuna himself, “O Arjuna! You prepared the bed for me, but
where is the pillow? My head needs support!” Arjuna then shot two arrows in
the ground in such a way that the head rested between them. Bhishma believed
that passing away in an auspicious time would lead to life’s fulfilment. So,
until the Uttarayana (sun treading Northern hemisphere) phase of the
year started, i.e., fifty six days since the day he collapsed, he kept himself
alive, all the while chanting the name of God. He did not care for the pain and
suffering that his body was undergoing. He was determined that he would leave
the world at the right time, for, life after death was valuable to him. He
continued lying on the bed of arrows for fifty-six days. He did not waste time
even in such a condition - he preached codes of morality in politics and family
life to the Pandavas and showed them the way to peace. This is embedded
in the epic Mahabharata as Shanti Parva, the chapter on Peace.
That, was the power of self-control the great soul had. For all this, Shanta
Bhakti was the basis. Bhishma always remembered God, even as he
faced countless problems, setbacks, trials and tribulations. Finally during
the war, Krishna, the Lord Himself, came to kill him. In fact, Krishna’s
intentions were not to fight Bhishma. Arjuna was drained out of strength and
wits. So Krishna, in order to enthuse and incite ferociousness in him, picked
up weapons shouting, “Arjuna! You are a coward! Let Me fight the
battle Myself.” When Krishna was thus rushing towards him, Bhishma prayed
to Krishna peacefully in devotion.
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| Krishna rushing towards Bhishma on the battlefield of Kurukshetra |
“How wonderful is the sight of Krishna
rushing towards me!
As He leaps down from the chariot, His
earrings sparkle
Filling the skies with lightening!
As He sprints, the cosmos contained in His
womb is shaken,
Causing earthquakes all over!
He picks up a wheel and is charging ahead
unmindful of His shoulder cloth slipping away
And Arjuna
is trying to hold Him back, pleading forgiveness,
Begging Him not to put his valour to
shame.
Oh! Fierce as a lion pouncing upon a
tusker,
“I shall kill Bhishma and save Arjuna”, He swears!
The Lord who is coming to attack me, with
fire in His eyes is my Sole Refuge.”
You see! What heights of
devotion! Krishna was swearing, “I shall kill this Bhishma, O Arjuna!
Let Me go,” and to that very same Krishna, Bhishma was offering his prayers
to protect him. He did not say, “This Krishna is coming to kill me, O Rama,
come to my rescue, O Ishwara please save me!” That is steadfast devotion
and unsullied dedication. Such is Shanta Bhakti, devotion with
equanimity.
Excellently described.... Thanks a lot.
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