In our bank batchmates group, we recently discussed the role of Bhishma Pitamaha in the Mahabharata war. Bhishma is often portrayed as a steadfast warrior, a man of unwavering honour, guided by principles of duty, loyalty, and selflessness. However, one of the most misunderstood aspects of his character is the complexity of his actions during the Kurukshetra war.

Bhishma wasn’t merely a commander on the battlefield; he was the living embodiment of sacrifice, burdened by the weight of his choices and fate. His actions—whether intentional or not—played a pivotal role in the outcome of the war. Without them, the Pandavas may never have emerged victorious, and the entire trajectory of the Mahabharata could have taken an entirely different turn.

The Vow That Shaped the War

Bhishma’s vow of celibacy and renunciation of power is one of the defining moments of his life, but it was the vow he took on the battlefield that would leave its most indelible mark on the war. While Bhishma fought with unmatched valour and loyalty to the Kauravas, he made a secret vow that would change the fate of the Pandavas. In a conversation with Duryodhan, Bhishma declared that he would not kill any of the Pandavas during the war. This declaration wasn’t just a passing remark but a calculated decision, one that would ultimately help the Pandavas win the war, though they did not know it at the time.

Duryodhan, in his arrogance and ambition, failed to realise the implications of Bhishma’s vow. He was so sure of his victory that he failed to see the deeper strategic implications of Bhishma’s actions. Bhishma’s vow to not harm the Pandavas was perhaps the most important piece of information that Duryodhan had, yet he chose to ignore it.

The Subtle Manipulation of Karna

Bhishma, however, did not stop there. His indirect hand in shaping the war was most evident in his handling of Karna. Karna, the great warrior with the mighty Divyastra, was a key player on the Kaurava side. Bhishma’s criticisms of Karna—whether intentional or not—made Karna vow never to serve under Bhishma’s leadership. This act turned Karna, one of the most powerful warriors of the time, into an outcast on the battlefield, effectively reducing his role during Bhishma’s command. The warrior with divine weapons was relegated to the “reserve bench,” a move that would go on to alter the course of the war significantly.

Had Karna been at the frontlines, equipped with his divine weapons and skills, the battle may have taken an entirely different turn. Yet, Bhishma, through this subtle manipulation, effectively neutralised one of the Kaurava army’s most dangerous assets.

The Moment of Revelation: Bhishma’s Vulnerability

Perhaps the most significant—and yet, the most telling—moment in Bhishma’s role in the war occurred when the Pandavas were at their wits’ end, unable to stop the might of Bhishma on the battlefield. Krishna, the ever-wise guide, advised the Pandavas to seek out Bhishma directly and ask him to reveal his vulnerability. In a world where warriors were often expected to hide their weaknesses, Bhishma’s decision to share his vulnerability with the enemy is unprecedented in the annals of military history.

Here, we see Bhishma’s unique role as a moral compass in the narrative of the Mahabharata. He was not just a general fighting for a cause, but a man aware of the karmic burden of his own inaction and choices. His willingness to share his weakness, to openly divulge how he could be defeated, shows an understanding of the greater cosmic forces at play. He knew that his actions—or rather, his inactions—had set the stage for the inevitable tragedy, and thus, he accepted the consequences of his decisions.

Shikhandi: The Key to Bhishma’s Fall

Bhishma’s revelation to Arjuna about his vulnerability was crucial. According to Bhishma, the key to defeating him lay in using someone whom he considered to be a woman or a transgender person—someone he could not bring himself to harm, as it went against his personal principles. This is where Shikhandi, a warrior of great courage but with a unique identity, entered the picture. Arjuna, following Bhishma’s advice, placed Shikhandi in the front of his chariot, and from behind this shield, he let loose a volley of arrows that ultimately led to Bhishma’s fall.

Bhishma did not retaliate, even though he had the power to do so. His sense of duty and his own moral code prevented him from fighting back, even in the face of his own destruction. It was a one-sided confrontation where Arjuna, guided by Krishna, could strike Bhishma down without fear of retaliation. This was not just a physical defeat; it was a moral and spiritual sacrifice. Bhishma’s fall was not just the loss of a warrior but the culmination of a series of sacrifices he had made long before the battle had even begun.

The Ultimate Penitence: A Tale of Sacrifice

But there is another layer to Bhishma’s decision, one that transcends military strategy. In his heart, Bhishma carried the guilt of his inaction during the infamous disrobing of Draupadi in the Kuru Sabha. As a member of the royal family, Bhishma had the power to prevent the insult and restore Draupadi’s honour. But his silence in that moment, driven by his loyalty to Dhritarashtra and his adherence to his sense of duty as a Kaurava patriarch, haunted him for the rest of his life. His penance for this inaction manifested as his decision to embrace the painful defeat in the war, knowing that it was a karmic consequence of his earlier failure.

Bhishma’s ultimate sacrifice was not just of his youth, wealth, freedom, and life. It was the sacrifice of his very soul, as he tried to atone for his earlier mistakes. In the battlefield, where every warrior fought for personal glory or the glory of their king, Bhishma fought with a quiet resolve that transcended all those notions. His sacrifices were not motivated by ambition or desire but by an acute awareness of his responsibilities as a member of the Kuru dynasty and a man bound by honour.

Conclusion: The Eternal Legacy of Bhishma

Bhishma’s story is not just one of a great warrior who fought in the great war of the Mahabharata, but one of a man who sacrificed everything—his youth, his desires, his wealth, his freedom, and ultimately, his life—for the greater good. His actions were driven not by personal glory but by a sense of cosmic duty and moral integrity that transcended the material world. In a war where every other hero sought victory, Bhishma sought redemption.

It is said that those who truly understand the Mahabharata are able to see beyond the obvious and explore the layers of complexity and sacrifice that each character embodies. Bhishma’s sacrifice is the most profound of them all. His actions, both inaction and reaction, shaped the course of the war, and his eventual fall marked the beginning of the end for the Kauravas.

As we reflect on the lessons of Bhishma, we must ask ourselves: What is the true nature of sacrifice? Is it the willingness to fight and conquer, or is it the strength to recognise when to step aside, to share our vulnerabilities, and to accept the consequences of our actions, however painful they may be?

Bhishma’s story remains one of the most powerful symbols of supreme sacrifice in the history of mythology—a tale that continues to resonate, teaching us the value of duty, sacrifice, and the eternal search for redemption.