Bhishma (Sanskrit: भीष्म, romanized: bhīṣma), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, is a central figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Renowned for his wisdom, valor, and unwavering principles, Bhishma served as the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the Kurukshetra War.

This unparalleled sacrifice earned him the title Bhishma, meaning "the one who undertakes a severe vow," and he was blessed with Ichcha Mrityu—the boon of choosing his time of death.

He served as the chief advisor and regent to successive rulers of Hastinapura, including his stepbrothers Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, as well as their successors—Pandu and Dhritarashtra.

Bhishma also mediated numerous conflicts within the royal family, including the division of the Kuru kingdom between Duryodhana and Yudhishthira.

Despite his personal allegiance to dharma, Bhishma's loyalty to the throne bound him to side with the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra War.

Before his death, timed to the auspicious Uttarayana (winter solstice), he imparted the Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishthira and shared his vast knowledge on governance, dharma, and the duties of a king.

His death anniversary, observed as Bhishma Ashtami, falls on the eighth lunar day of the bright half of the Magha month (January–February).

After hearing Shantanu's harsh words, the woman revealed herself to be the goddess Ganga and justified her actions and narrated the following story.

[8][2] Once the celestial Vasus and their wives were enjoying themselves in the forest when the wife of Dyu spotted an excellent cow and asked her husband to steal it.

With the help of his brothers, Dyu tried to steal it but Vashishtha caught them and cursed them to be born as mortals and suffer a miserable life.

The text Harivamsa mentions that during the mourning period after Shantanu's death, Bhishma killed Ugrayudha Paurava, a statesman of Panchala kingdom who lusted for Satyavati and tried to buy her with wealth.

[2][18] Vichitravirya, who was too young to rule, was crowned as the king by Bhishma but the actual control of the kingdom was under Satyavati until he reached adulthood.

Shalva, the ruler of Shalwa or Saubala Kingdom and the lover of Amba, attempted to stop Bhishma but failed.

Upon reaching Hastinapura, Ambika and Ambalika consented to marry Vichitravirya, while Amba told Bhishma about her love for Shalva.

[20] On the twenty-fourth day of battle, Bhishma attempted to use the Prashwapastra against Parashurama, but the divine sage Narada and the gods intervened and showed their concern over the use of powerful weapons which could destroy the world.

Satyavati persuaded Bhishma to marry the widows of Vichitravirya and rule as the king or at least impregnate them to produce an heir.

Satyavati, along with Ambika and Ambalika, decided to retire to the forest for penance, leaving Bhishma with the responsibility of the kingdom.

Before the battle, at the Kauravas army's assembly, Bhishma singled out Karna and forbade him from participating in the war under his command, and even affronted him as Sutaputra (son of Suta - child of a charioteer).

Duryodhana approached Bhishma one night and accused him of not fighting the battle to his full strength because of his affection for the Pandavas.

Krishna, enraged over Bhishma's devastation of the Pandavas army, got down from his charioteer seat and picked up a displaced wheel, intending to use it in place of his Sudarshana Chakra.

Seeing this, both Arjuna and Bhishma stopped their battle, with the protector of Hastinapur humbly telling the avatar of Vishnu that he would immediately lay down his life should Krishna took action here and now.

The Pandavas were not agreeable to such a ploy, as by using such tactics they would not be following the path of Dharma, but Krishna suggested a clever alternative.

As Bhishma fell, his whole body was held above the ground by the shafts of Arjuna's arrows which protruded from his back, and through his arms and legs.

When the young princes of both armies gathered around him, inquiring if there was anything they could do, he told them that while his body lay on the bed of arrows above the ground, his head hung unsupported.

To quench the war veteran's thirst, Arjuna shot an arrow into the earth, and a jet stream of water rose up and into Bhishma's mouth.

[20] After the war, while on his deathbed (arrow bed), he gave deep and meaningful instructions to Yudhishthira on statesmanship and the duties of a king.

He always walked in the path of Dharma, despite his state because of the vow, he was supposed to forcefully follow the orders of his king Dhritharashtra, which were mostly Adharma, he was totally upset.

Finally, Bhishma gave up the fight, focusing his life force and breath, sealing the wounds, and waiting for the auspicious moment to give up his body on the arrow bed.

[citation needed] People believe that they will have a son with the steadfast qualities of Bhishma if they observe these holy rituals on the river banks.