Vichitravirya fell ill and died without siring any children.
Bheeshma's step mother, Satyavati, begged Bheeshma, "Hey putr, can you please sire children on Vichitravirya's wives? Otherwise the throne will remain empty."
Bheeshma said, "Forgive me mata, i cannot break my vow of lifelong celibacy."
Satyavati then reveals to Bheeshma that before she married Shantanu, she secretly had a son with the Sage Parashara. Satyavati summoned her son, the Sage Vyasa and he sired Dhritarashtra and Pandu on Ambika and Ambalika. Bheeshma, despite being a renunciate, was forced to look after the Pandavas and the Kauravas, as Pandu died an untimely death and Dhritarashtra was blind. Bheeshma appointed Dronacharya, who was another former disciple of Parashurama, as the martial instructor for the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Despite his efforts, Bheeshma was unable to resolve the childhood rivalry between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, which later resulted into a blood feud and a devastating war. Throughout his life, Bheeshma tried to convince Duryodhana to give up this hatred but failed. Bheeshma guided the Pandavas, but was highly criticized for remaining silent and motionless during the controversial game of dice and did nothing to help when princess Draupadi was being humiliated and abused in the royal court.
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Ganga Putra Bheeshma
Historical FictionThe full personality of one who has risen above human limitations while living in the world is expressed in the ancient ideal of the rishi. Such a being can be found in the person of Bheeshma, the son of Shantanu and Ganga,the great grandsire of the...
