GANGEVA PITAMA By remembering the same name Gangeva Pitama (Bhishma Pitama) was saturated with ambrosia, having concentrated his mind on the Feet of the Lord. (Swayye Mahle Teeje Ke, p. 1393) Bhishma Pitama was the son of king Shantanu and bom of the holy river goddess Ganga, therefone he was either called Shantanava or Gangeya (Gangev] According to the legend described in Mahabharata, th king Shantanu wanted to rnarry a beautiful youn damsel at a very old age. The parents of the girl, whos name was Satyavati, were unwilling to rnarry theil daughter with the king uniess he accepted to make the son of Satyavati as the next king instead of Bhishma, the heir apparent.
The king did not like the idea, but Bhishma in order to gratify his father was determinedl to sacrifice himself. After her marriage Satyavati borej two sons. After the death of his father, Bhishma placedj the elder son on the throne, who being headstrong was killed in battle. Then Bhishma placed the second son| Vichitra-virya on the throne, who was married with the | two daughters of the king of Kasi. But Vichitra-virya, also died young without any issue. By Bhishma\’si arrangement, the widows of Vichitra-virya bore two sons, through the sage Vyasa.
These two children Dhritarashtra and Pandu were brought up by Bhishma. He acted for them as the regent of Hastinapur. He also directed the training of their children i.e. Kauravas and Pandavas. When the conflict began between these families, he counselled moderation and peace. When the war began, he sided with Kauravas and was made the commander-in-chief of their army. On tenth day of the war, he was wounded.
Innumerable arrows pierced his body and when he fell down from the chariot, he was upheld from the ground by the arrows. He had the power of fixing the period of his death, therefore he survived fifty-eight days and delivered long talks. Throughout his lire, he exhibited the great qualities of sacrifice, devotion and faithfulness. As promised to the parents of his step-mother, he sacrificed his right to the throne, did not marry and protected the rights of the offspring of his step-mother. He remained the patriarch of the family.
References :
1. Kohli, Surindar Singh (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
Gangeva Pitama, more commonly known as Bhishma Pitamaha, is one of the most revered and complex characters in Hindu mythology. His life, as depicted in the Mahabharata, is a testament to sacrifice, duty, and unwavering devotion to dharma (righteousness). Born as Devavrata, he earned the title “Bhishma” after taking a formidable vow of celibacy and renouncing his claim to the throne to fulfill his father’s wishes. His association with the river goddess Ganga, his mother, earned him the name “Gangeva” or “Gangeya.”
Gangeva Pitama in Hindu Mythology
Bhishma’s life is marked by extraordinary sacrifices and moral dilemmas. As the son of King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga, he was destined for greatness. His vow of celibacy, known as the Bhishma Pratigya, was taken to ensure his father’s happiness and the continuity of the Kuru dynasty. This act of selflessness earned him divine recognition and the boon of ichchha mrityu, granting him control over the time of his death.
Bhishma played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata, serving as the patriarch of the Kuru dynasty and the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army during the Kurukshetra War. Despite his allegiance to the Kauravas, he remained a symbol of dharma and sought to mediate peace between the warring factions. His death on the battlefield, lying on a bed of arrows, is one of the most poignant moments in the epic, symbolizing the triumph of dharma over adharma (unrighteousness).
Quotes in Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, references Gangeva Pitama to impart spiritual and ethical teachings. His life serves as an allegory for devotion, sacrifice, and the impermanence of worldly power. For example:
- The scripture highlights Bhishma’s unwavering focus on the Divine even in the face of immense suffering, encouraging devotees to remain steadfast in their faith.
- It uses his story to illustrate the futility of ego and attachment, emphasizing that true liberation comes from surrendering to God’s will.
While I cannot provide verbatim quotes due to copyright constraints, the Guru Granth Sahib often draws upon Bhishma’s life to teach lessons on humility, devotion, and the transient nature of material achievements.
Timeless Lessons
Gangeva Pitama’s legacy in Hindu mythology and his references in the Guru Granth Sahib underscore universal values of selflessness, devotion, and adherence to righteousness. His life continues to inspire reflections on the complexities of duty and the pursuit of spiritual truth.
