This story is about the final moments of Bhishma Pitamah from the Mahabharata, showcasing his extraordinary perspective on life and death.
During the Mahabharata war, Bhishma Pitamah was wounded. He called Arjuna to create a bed of arrows. He knew that his body was suffering, but his conscious soul remained unaffected. He began meditating on Lord Krishna.
Meanwhile, Lord Krishna was in deep meditation and sensed that Bhishma Pitamah was remembering him. Krishna then told Yudhishthira, "If anyone is proficient in Dharma at this moment, it is Bhishma Pitamah. Go to him and learn about Rajdharma."
Lord Krishna, along with the Pandavas, went to Bhishma Pitamah. On the day of Uttarayan, Bhishma was preparing to leave his body. Lying on a bed of arrows, the great warrior of India, Bhishma, said to Krishna, "Kanhaiya, you reside in the lashes of my eyes. Yudhishthira, are you well?"
Bhishma Pitamah then said to Yudhishthira, "You have faced many hardships in life, enduring exile and an unknown life. This is the course of time. Even those who have advisors like Lord Krishna are not immune to the sufferings of the world. The world is called 'Dukhalaya' (a place of sorrow). Blessed are those who meditate on the form of Krishna to overcome the miseries of the world."
Bhishma asked Krishna, "What terrible deed did I do that I have to lie on this bed of arrows? I meditated and analyzed 72 lifetimes, but I could not find any heinous act that would deserve such suffering."
Lord Krishna smiled and replied, "Pitamah, you should have meditated one more birth back. In your 73rd birth, you had captured a green-winged parrot and caused it pain. The consequences of that action are what you are facing now. Action is in the hands of humans, but its result is in the hands of God."
"The results of actions are of three kindsтАФmild, intense, and extreme. Mild karmas can be changed by devotion and effort. Intense karmas can be mitigated with the help of others, while extreme karmas must be endured."
At this moment, Bhishma told Krishna, "The time has come for me to leave this body. Kesava, until I depart, please stand before me so that I can keep my gaze upon you."
Bhishma then referred to his intellect as his "daughter" and said, "O Lord Krishna, I offer my purified intellect to you. This is my daughter, which I have purified through penance, vows, and truthful speech. Please accept it."
In his final moments, Bhishma Pitamah imparted the lesson that in life, one should renounce attachment and hatred, and dedicate one's intellect to God so that the soul can merge with the Supreme Soul.
Following this, under the guidance of Lord Krishna, the Pandavas performed the last rites for Bhishma Pitamah.
Thus, this story clarifies the deeper meanings of life, action, and death, teaching us that the fruits of our actions must eventually be experienced, but through devotion to God and walking the righteous path, we can attain mental peace. This discourse is known as "Bhishma Panchak" in the Mahabharata. People observe the Bhishma Panchak Vrat during this time. Devotees fast to attain liberation. They also fast for the good health of themselves and their children. During this month, taking an early morning bath is believed to provide the benefit of bathing at all sacred places. This Vrat is observed for five days, beginning on the Ekadashi (11th day) and concluding on the full moon day, when Bhishma Dev is remembered. During the Bhishma Panchak, grains should be avoided, and for the past five days, only milk or water should be consumed. Bhishma Panchak is also known as Vishnu Panchak.
