Bhishma’s Vow

Prince Devavrat became famous as Bhishma due to his powerful vow.

"I, the son of Ganga, Devavrat, with the earth, sky, and all four directions as my witness, vow that I will remain celibate for my entire life. In this life, I will not marry. I will live without a lineage, and I will die without a lineage. This is my unwavering vow. "

He took this vow, but what were the challenges he encountered in fulfilling it? Despite enduring many insults he was faithful to his vow, he fulfilled his promise responsibly and became immortal in history.

Let us appreciate some events of his life and learn from them….

Event 1

Devavrat, who became famous in history as 'Bhishma Pitamah' for his rigourous vow, was the son of Shantanu and Ganga. When he came to Hastinapur, everyone except his father Shantanu was happy. Devavrat tried to find the cause of his father's grief. He learned that his father Shantanu was in love with a fisherman’s daughter named Satyavati and was eager to marry her. However, Satyavati's father was against this marriage, so Devavrat immediately went to meet Satyavati's father.

Devavrat: O Nishadraj! I have come to you to ask the hand of your daughter Satyavati for my father Shantanu. Give them your permission to get married.

Father: O son of Ganga, Devavrat! I will give my permission for this marriage only if you assure me that Satyavati will get the honor of the Queen Mother and that only the son born to my daughter will be the heir to the throne of Hastinapur. But this is not possible as long as you are in Hastinapur.

Without even a moment's delay, Devvrat assured him and said... Devavrat: We will both remain in my father's life. Listen Nishadraj! If this is the only reason then, I, the son of Ganga, Devavart, am taking a vow right now that I will observe celibacy for life and I will not become the ruler of Hastinapur. Until my last breath, I will fulfill all the responsibilities as a commander to the king sitting on the throne of Hastinapur.

Event 2

Satyavati's father agreed and gave his permission for the marriage. Knowing the depth and greatness of Devavrat’s rigorous (Bhishan)vow, mother Satyavati and Shantanu were very pleased with Devavrat, and gave him the name, ‘Bhishma’.

But internally, they were worried about this rigorous vow taken by Devavrat, so one day they both told Bhishma to break his vow.

Shantanu and Satyavati: Dear son, Bhishma! Things have been done as per your wish... Now there is no need for such a rigorous vow. You can break it.

Bhishma: No mother, that is not possible. No matter what circumstances come my way, the vow will not be broken.

Event 3

Years passed. Over time, King Shantanu passed away. His two children were Chitrangad and Vichitravirya. The eldest son Chitrangad also passed away. Since Vichitravirya was very young, the question arose as to who would sit on the throne. This is when the dilemma arose.

Satyavati: Bhishma, now I request you to give up your vow and take care of the throne of Hastinapur.

Bhishma: Mother, I understand your grief, but I cannot break the vow that I have taken. I will take care of all the responsibilities until Vichitravirya grows up, but we will make Vichitravirya the heir to the throne. Grant me your permission, mother!

Event 4

Bhishma, at the appropriate time, made Vichitravirya the king. The king of Kashi did not invite Vichitravirya to the swayamvara (a marriage ceremony where the bride gets to select a husband) for his three daughters Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika. However, mother Satyavati’s wish was to get Vichitravirya married to these three princesses. To avenge the king of Kashi, Bhishma abducted the three girls to appease mother Satyavati.

Out of the three princesses, Amba was in love with the king of Shalva, so she got angry with Bhishma. She decided to take revenge on Bhishma. She told her story to Bhishma's guru, Parashuram, and asked him to help her. Due to Bhishma, such an event occurred in Amba’s life, so Parshuram summoned Bhishma and then….

Parshuram: Bhishma, Amba is in this situation because of your misdeeds. Today, I order you to break your vow and marry Amba and if you don't want to do that, then fight me.

Bhishma: Salutations to you, Guruji! I accept your call for war because I will not give up my vow until my last breath.

Bhishma faught with his guru Parashuram but did not break his resolve. Such was Bhishma's unbreakable, unbending and unwavering vow!

Let us see what Dadaji has to say about strong determination.