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Bhīṣma
Sign in to saveBhishma (), also known as Pitāmaha, Gangāputra, and Devavrata, is a central figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was a statesman and military commander of the ancient Kuru kingdom. Renowned for his wisdom, valor, skill in battle and unwavering principles, Bhishma served as the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the first ten days of the Kurukshetra War until his fall.
Key facts
- Character.image
- Statue of Bhishma.jpg
- Character.caption
- A contemporary sculpture of Bhishma during the Kurukshetra War
- Character.info hdr
- Information
- Character.home
- Hastinapura
- Character.gender
- Male
- Character.relatives
- Kuru dynasty-Chandravamsha
- Character.title
- Supreme commander of the Kuru army
- Character.class
- Maharathi
- Character.affiliation
- Kauravas
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Etymology and epithets
- Birth and early life
- The oath
- Affairs of Kuru Kingdom
- Swayamvara of the Kashi princesses and battle with Parashurama
- Political influences
- The Kurukshetra War
- Death
- In popular culture
- Films and television
- Modern references
- Notes
- Citations
- References
- External links
Bhishma (), also known as Pitāmaha, Gangāputra, and Devavrata, is a central figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was a statesman and military commander of the ancient Kuru kingdom. Renowned for his wisdom, valor, skill in battle and unwavering principles, Bhishma served as the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the first ten days of the Kurukshetra War until his fall.
Born to King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga, he was originally named Devavrata and the designated the heir-apparent to the throne. However, he renounced his claim and took a vow of lifelong celibacy to facilitate his father's marriage to Satyavati. This sacrifice earned him the title Bhishma, meaning "the one who undertakes a severe vow," and he was blessed with Ichcha Mrityu—the boon of choosing his time of death.