Bhishma was one of the most important characters in the Sanskrit Epic Mahabharata, The eighth son of the Kuru King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. Bhishma was blessed with a boon from his father that he could choose the time of his death or he may remain immortal till he desires. Trained by Lord Vishnuś sixth avatar Parshuram, he was one of the best archers and warrior of his time, and was known for his strength, sacrifice and love towards his people. In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the unknown facts you might not know about this great warrior.
Unknown Facts About Bhishma
- Bhishma learnt much of his warfare from Lord Parashurama, who was considered an incarnation of Mahavishnu.
- Bhishma was the son of Goddess Ganga and Shantanu. Devavrita was the name he got by birth. Being the son of Ganga, he got the name Gangadatta. After that he took that oath which gifted him the name Bhishma.
- The entire epic of Mahabharat unfolded from Bhishma who is highly popular for his two tough vows.
- Bhishma chose to take up the bed of arrows in the war field of Mahabharata.
- Bhishma decided to become a slave to his brothers Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, who were the kings of Hastinapura.
- Bhishma took the vow of celibacy when he was thirty-six years old. He abstained from conjugal relationship till he was thirty-six years and maintained that norm till his death.
- Bhishma learnt the art of warfare from divine preceptors like Brihaspati, Shukracharya, Vasishtha and Parashurama.
- Bhishma was the only warrior in the era of Mahabharata who knew the knowledge of Praswapastra (divine weapon of Vasus).
- Bhishma killed ten thousand Pandava chariot warriors per day in the ten days he fought in the Kurukshetra war.
- Bhishma lay on the bed of arrows for forty days after the conclusion of Kurukshetra war.
- While waiting for his death on the bed of arrows for 58 days, Bhishma taught the Pandavas many important lessons.
- Bhsihma Knew Every Single Warfare Formations.
- It is said that, during the war of Mahabharata, Bhishma was around 150 years old.
- Bhishma stole the cow of sage Apava in his previous birth.
- Bhishma defeated his preceptor Parashurama in a battle after a fight of twenty-three days in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
- Bhishma killed one million Pandava foot soilders in the Kurukshetra war.
- Bhishma was defeated in battle by warriors like Bhima and Satyaki.
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