Bhishma Ascends to Heaven

We have already skipped over the largest of the books, the Book of Peace, in Mahabharata. We are now, again, skipping over most of the next “Book of Instructions (anuSaasana parvam)” and are coming to the last chapter in it called “the Ascension of Bhishma to Heaven (bhishma swargaarohaNa parvam)”. The only reason for this is that these two books contain only some advices (though very important) and make very little progress with the main story. We may catch up with the side stories appearing there through Samskruthi.

The Book of Instructions has only two chapters. The first one is huge, on the ‘duty to do charity (daana dharma parvam). At the end of it Bhishma asks Yudhishthira to return to his palace and come back to him when “the sun turns north (uttaraayaNa)”. Bhishma concluded his days of advice with the words- “now you return to your palace. There is no need to feel sorry for what happened. Engage in charities and perform various sacrificial rituals. Serve your subjects well. Come back to me in time for my death”. Accordingly, Yudhishthira went away with his brothers, Krishna and Dhritarashtra.

The return to the death bed of the grandsire

The last chapter of the book titled “the Ascension of Bhishma to Heaven” gives details of the Pandavas returning to the grandsire in time of his death. Yudhishthira spent those days in Hastinapura engaged in various charities as asked by the grandsire. When he realized that the time had come to return to the grandsire he started the journey with all preparations for the fitting cremation for the Kaurava hero. The group consisted of all the Pandavas and the surviving Kaurava royals including Dhritarashtra. Krishna was also with them.

They had gathered various fragrant materials like sandalwood for the cremation. An abundant quantity of ghee (clarified butter) which was an essential part was also carried along. It was going to be the last rites for the greatest of the Bharata heroes. So, they made sure that decorative materials like flowers and garlands were also well stocked. The fire for the funeral pyre, itself, was carried ceremoniously ahead of all.

When the royal troupe started from Hastinapura Veda Vyasa arrived with other sages like Narada, Devala and Asita. They all reached the bed of Bhishma in due course and paid their respects to the hero who was breathing his last.

Yudhishthira spoke first, in a gentle tone. “Grand father, hope you can hear me. Please order me with whatever I need to do. I have come with the fire for your cremation. The priests are all ready for the ritual. Your son, Dhritarashtra, is also here with his ministers. Please open your eyes, if you can and see us all.”

Bhishma’s last words

Bhishma heard him and opened his eyes with some effort. How courageously and serenely the grandsire greeted his own death showed the greatness of Bhishma. He his right arm which was once powerful enough to bring any enemy that faced him. This time, it was to greet all those who came for his cremation. He, then, addressed Dhritarashtra and said. “Good that you have come in time. You are well versed in all the four Vedas. Do not grieve. The sons of Pandu are yours also. They will do as you order them.”

The son of Santanu, then, turned to Krishna and spoke thus. “Krishna, I bow to you. I had repeatedly advised Duryodhana to make peace with the Pandavas, reminding him that the victory shall be where you are. But, being foolish, he did not listen to my words. I have done my duty and now I ask your permission for departing from this world”.

He spoke the final words addressing all present. “I ask for the permission from all of you to breathe my last. You all must remember that truthfulness is the greatest strength. Hence, try to live holding fast to truth”.

The end of Bhishma

Bhishma stopped with those words. All present, then, could observe life departing from each limb of his body, one by one. Finally, they could witness the extraordinary sight of the breath (praaNa) of the heroic Bhishma break through the crest of his head. They watched in great wonder a light ascending to the sky, like a meteor, believed to be the life (jeeva) of the grandsire. That is how people with great Yogic powers end their life. The body of Bhishma became completely lifeless from that moment.

There was music played in heaven at that time and showers of flowers fell from the sky. Great sages who were present around Bhishma and even those who stood watching he scene from heaven commended on the remarkable way Bhishma lived and finally ended his life.

The Cremation

A funeral pyre had been prepared, meanwhile, with fragrant wood in which a lot of ghee was poured as per the custom. The body of Bhishma was placed on that while the priests stood chanting hymns from the Vedas. The body was covered with garlands of sweet smelling flowers. The son of Vidura, Yuyutsu, held a royal umbrella over the body as a sign of respect to the departed Kaurava. Bhima and Arjuna fanned the body with royal fans, one made of the tails of the Camara deer (caamara) and the other, of peacock feathers (vyajana). Soon, the fire engulfed and consumed the body of the greatest of the warriors who fought the war of Mahabharata.

The funeral rites

Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira and other Pandavas, then, proceeded to the river Ganga and offered handfuls of the holy water (tarpaNam) to the departed soul of their grand father as per the custom. It is said that at that time (the guardian angel of) Ganga rose from the river and started lamenting for her departed son. Ganga shed tears for her heroic son who defeated all kings single handedly at the time of the wedding of the princesses of Kasi and even remained unbeaten by Parasurama. Yet, he was felled by the arrows of Sikhandi who stood no match for him. Krishna consoled her reminding her that it was the arrows of Arjuna and not of Sikhandi that brought her son down. In fact, even Arjuna would not have succeeded in his mission, if Bhishma did not will so. Her son on earth was, in fact, the chief of the Vasus in heaven and he decided that it was time for him to return to his original abode.

Then all the Pandavas and Kauravas returned to Hastinapura taking permission from the heavenly Ganga. Thus ends the chapter concluding the remarkable life of Bhishma on earth. The “book of instructions” also ends here.