A Great, Rich, Wonderful Philosophy 44

Bhishma
The ancient philosophy penetrates, percolates the minds of many. This is accomplished through mythological characters who are all times greats with their dedication, devotion and divine adherence to cardinal principles of human existence and values. One such great personality is presented to the world through the image of Bhishma, the Grand Sire of Mahabharata. His courage, adherence to truth, boldness, competence, intellectual acumen, sense of fairness and above all qualities of leadership serve as role models to humanity.

This great personality is known as the son of the Ganges. The kingdom of Hasthinapura under the rule of King Santanu reels under the anxiety of finding a successor to the King to perpetuate the dynasty. The King infatuated by the bewitching beauty of a fisherwoman ferrying a boat, seeks her hand in marriage. This woman, Satyawati, hails from a fisherman family. She insists on obtaining the consent of her parents . On approaching her father the King finds he has to fulfill impossible conditions. The father reiterates that the most important condition for giving his daughter in marriage is to take a vow that the son born out of his daughter alone will be successor to the throne. The King goes disappointed since he had made up his mind to crown Bhishma as the successor. He remains depressed. Bhisma sensing the unusual and surprisingly strange behavior of the King asks him the reason. The King does not reveal it.

However, Bhishma ascertains from his court officials the reason, visits the fisherman and talks openly about the proposal. He agrees to the condition for marriage. He takes a vow that he will remain a celibate through out his life and will not stake his claim to the throne. The fisherman agrees and Bhishma takes the bride and presents before the king. The stunned King admires the concern of his son for his father and grants him a boon. Accordingly Bhishma will die only when he wants to die.

Bhishma outlives several offers and temptations to hook him into wedlock. Princesses, in all ways qualified, blessed and beautiful, queue before him for his hand in marriage. His exemplary skills in archery, unparallel, are universally acclaimed and indefatigable. He is wedded to truth. He is the epitome of courage, loyalty,righteousness.If at all he slips and deviate from any of these at some stage it is only because of his affliction to be loyal to the forces whom he knows are on the wrong path. He tries his best to persuade them to give up evil tendencies and come back to the right path.
Rare indeed is a personality who arranges and witnesses the marriage of his father. Rare indeed we see a character sacrificing worldly comforts and pleasures for honoring his word. Never in the history of human behavior can we find an exemplary character like him who stuck to his principles to the last. Never do we find a character that blesses the opponent and seeks his success in war and prays for his victory. He remains a super personality possessing the noblest of noble traits, lives as role model for all humanity to lead, live and love. He moves like an angel in human form radiating the beacon of an enlightened, leader nurtured in the crucible of wisdom for millions to emulate and serve.
(To be continued)