Bheeshma Quotes

The fates are cruel,” Bheeshma whispered, “and they’ve been crueler than usual to you. But the sins you committed in ignorance are not your fault.” “I’ll still have to pay for them,” Karna said. “Isn’t that how karma works? Look at what happened to Pandu, who killed a sage by accident, thinking him to be a wild deer. He had to bear the consequences of it for the rest of his life.

Perhaps the smell of the balm had put me in a trance, for as I moved my hands back and forth, I thought I saw hanging in the night sky a great web, its glinting threads woven from our present nature and our past actions. Karna was caught in it, as was I. Others were enmeshed there, too: Kunti, my husbands, Bheeshma, even Duryodhan and Dussasan. If there was a way to escape the web, I couldn't see it. Our puny struggles only entangled us further. A strange compassion came upon me as I watched us twist and turn in the breeze. I tried to hold on to this compassion, sensing its preciousness, but even as I reached to grasp it, it dissipated into wisps. No revelation can endure unless it is bolstered by a calm, pure mind - and I'm afraid I didn't possess that.

trees that fringe Kurukshetra: for the night’s feasting. All the talk in both camps is of Bheeshma. In the Pandava

Suddenly he threw the reins of the horses away from his left hand in disgust.  He jumped out of his chariot.  He had the Chakra in his hand.  He went and stood in front of Bheeshma.  His face was distorted with anger.  Everyone who saw the anger of Krishna shouted:  "Bheeshma is killed!  Bheeshma is killed!  Bheeshma was quite calm and collected.  He smiled at Krishna and said:  "Come, my beloved lord, I am happy to see you.  I will welcome death at your hands.

The eighth day of the war dawned.  The Kaurava army was arranged in the Oormi vyuha.  Oormi is the ocean.  Bheeshma made the army to spread on either side like the waves of the sea.  Yudhishthira asked Arjuna to arrange their army in the formation called Sringataka.  It was in the form of horns. Both the vyuhas were unusual.  It was the speciality of Bheeshma and Arjuna to vie with each other in this art.  The hostilities began.  The general fight was on.

I see all the sons of Dhritarashtra and all the many warriors,  Bheeshma, Drona, Radheya and the great heroes on our side too, rushing into your fearful mouth. Like mountain rivers rushing in tumult into the great ocean, they are rushing into you mouth which is all fire.  They seem like a flight of moths that rush towards a burning flame, and they are perishing fast. "Have mercy on me, tell who you are.  What is the purpose of this destruction that strikes terror into me?" Krishna said: "Can you not recognize Me?  I am TIME the great destroyer.  I destroy the mighty world.  I have begun to slay all these many heroes here.  They will all die, everyone of them.  Arise now, Arjuna, and win fame.  These men have already been slain by Me.  You can be just the insturment with which I destroy them.  Bheeshma, Drona, Radheya, Jayadratha and others as well are doomed.  You kill them and win the war".

I am sure of the fact that the Pandavas are going to win this war.” “What makes you so sure?”  asked Krishna with a smile.  Radheya said:  “I know it.  The war which is to be fought on the field called Kurukshetra is a sacrifice.  You are the master of ceremonies and Arjuna is the star performer.  The other brothers will all be puppets in your hands.  You are going to move them hither and thither.  The end is clear to me.  The sons of Dhritarashtra and all of us, Bheeshma, Drona, myself and all the kings of earth are meant to reach the heaven meant for those who die on the battle-field.  I have also been having dreams, Krishna.  I am good at reading meanings into dreams.  My dreams tell me clearly that the Pandavas are going to win this war.

Bheeshma: "A king should first know how to bring himself under subjugation. When he has achieved this he should then try to subdue his foes. The conquest of the five senses is considered to be the greatest victory. It is only such a king that is capable of conquering his enemies.

Yudhishthira: “Tell me, what is the source of sin? Where does it proceed from and what is the foundation on which it is built?” Bheeshma: “Covetousness is the one root of all sin. It destroys all merit and all goodness.

Bheeshma, lauded land and sea and sky; forests, oceans, glaciers. Bheeshma, the name seared in deep crannies of hell, pealed dark but clear as a temple bell from the throats of distant stars.