The Mahabharta: Sixth Parva: Bhishma Parva
The Beginning of Dharma-Yuddha
Where Arrows Fly, Krishna Speaks, and Eternity Listens
The Bhishma Parva is the sixth book of the Mahabharata, where the long-awaited Kurukshetra War finally begins. But it is not just a war of armies—it is a spiritual storm, an unfolding of cosmic principles through human actions. In this Parva, the conch of war is sounded, the sacred Bhagavad Gita is revealed, and the great grandsire Bhishma leads the Kaurava army into the first ten days of battle.
In this one Parva, divine knowledge and devastating carnage walk side by side.
Overview: The Parva of Grand Commencement
This Parva contains:
- The listing of warriors and arrangement of military formations
- The philosophical and spiritual revelation of the Bhagavad Gita
- The beginning of the Kurukshetra War, including the first 10 days of battle
- The fall of Bhishma, who is pierced by arrows but refuses to die until the time is right
Number of Chapters: 4 major sections (Adhyayas 23 to 40 in Mahabharata context)
Major Highlight: The Bhagavad Gita—700 verses of eternal wisdom
War Begins: Armies Face Off at Kurukshetra
The two armies finally face each other across the sacred plain of Kurukshetra. On one side stand the Pandavas, backed by Krishna, dharma, and destiny. On the other side stand the Kauravas, led by Bhishma, supported by unmatched warriors like Drona, Kripa, Karna (yet to enter), Ashwatthama, and Shakuni.
The battlefield is not merely earth—it is a spiritual crucible where human choices will echo through time.
Shloka (Bhishma Parva):
“धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।”
Translation:
“In the field of dharma, on the field of Kurukshetra, gathered the warriors, eager for battle.”
Arjuna’s Despair and the Birth of the Gita
Before the war begins, Arjuna, the heroic archer, stands between the two armies and sees his own relatives, teachers, cousins, and friends arrayed for battle. He is overcome with sorrow, fear, and confusion.
Shloka (Gita 1.28–29):
“दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्।
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति॥”
Translation:
“Seeing my kinsmen gathered here, O Krishna, my limbs falter and my mouth is parched.”
In that moment of collapse, Krishna smiles and begins the divine discourse that becomes the Bhagavad Gita—a scripture that has transformed generations of seekers, warriors, yogis, and philosophers.
The Bhagavad Gita: Light in the Darkness
The Gita, delivered over 18 chapters, teaches the essence of Sanatana Dharma. It is not a religious sermon—it is a call to right action, inner peace, and spiritual realization.
Key themes include:
- Nishkama Karma: Do your duty without attachment to results
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन”
“You have the right to work, but not to the fruits of work.” (Gita 2.47)
- Immortality of the Soul (Atman)
“न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचित्”
“The soul is never born, nor does it die.” (Gita 2.20)
- Paths of Yoga: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga
- Surrender to the Divine
“सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज”
“Abandon all duties and surrender unto Me alone.” (Gita 18.66)
The Gita transforms Arjuna from a weeping warrior into a divine instrument of dharma.
Bhishma on the Battlefield: The Lion Among Men
With Arjuna now centered in divine purpose, the war begins.
Bhishma, the supreme commander of the Kaurava army, fights like a celestial lion. Though old, he is unmatched in skill and fury. Thousands fall under his arrows. The Pandavas struggle to hold their ground.
Each day, Bhishma causes immense destruction but refuses to kill the Pandavas, bound by his love and code.
Krishna watches silently… until the ninth day, when he can no longer bear Arjuna’s hesitation. In a stunning moment, Krishna leaps from the chariot, whirls a chariot wheel like a chakra, and charges at Bhishma.
Bhishma bows his head and welcomes death, but Arjuna stops Krishna just in time. This moment reveals:
- The limitless love Krishna has for Arjuna
- The depth of Bhishma’s surrender
- The urgency of dharma over rules
Bhishma’s Fall – The Warrior on a Bed of Arrows
On the tenth day, with Krishna’s counsel, the Pandavas place Shikhandi in front of Arjuna. Bhishma refuses to fight Shikhandi, whom he sees as female, due to his vow. Arjuna fires a storm of arrows from behind Shikhandi.
Bhishma falls—not dead, but conscious on a bed of arrows, his body pierced but soul alert. He chooses to delay death until the auspicious Uttarayana, the sun’s northward journey.
Bhishma’s fall marks the turning point of the war.
Shloka (Bhishma Parva):
“शरशय्यां गते भीष्मे रणमध्ये महारथे।”
Translation:
“Thus Bhishma lay upon his bed of arrows, the great chariot-warrior in the heart of the battlefield.”
Essence and Teachings of Bhishma Parva
- Fear and doubt are natural—even for Arjuna—but they can be overcome by inner clarity.
- The Gita teaches that the soul is eternal, and action must come from duty, not desire.
- Bhishma symbolizes the nobility of sacrifice, even in conflict.
- Krishna shows that the divine may break rules to uphold truth.
Modern Reflections
For today’s reader, Bhishma Parva resonates deeply:
- In a world of confusion, where is your inner Krishna?
- When duty feels like burden, can you act without attachment?
- In moments of moral collapse, will you pick up the bow, or fall like Arjuna did?
Conclusion: The Storm Has Begun
As the Parva ends, ten days of war have passed, thousands lie dead, and the epic moves deeper into the fire of fate. But the Bhagavad Gita remains eternal, like a lamp of truth glowing in the heart of darkness.
This Parva is where philosophy meets blood, where divine words are soaked in mortal sacrifice.
Next on Sanatana Decode:
Enter the Drona Parva, where the guru becomes the commander, Abhimanyu meets destiny, and dharma is drenched in sorrow.