Anushasanika Parva — Death of Bhisma

Vaishampayana said Having said so to all the Kurus, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, remained silent for some time, O chastiscr of enemies.

He then held forth his lifebreaths successively in those parts of his body which are indicated in Yoga. The vital airs of that great one, restrained duly, then rose up.

Those parts of the body of Shantanu's son, on account of the adoption of Yoga from which the vital airs went up, became soreless one after another.

In the midst of those great persons, including those great Rishis headed by Vyasa, the sight seemed to be a strange one, O king.

Within a short time, the eniire body of Bhishma became arrowless and soreless. Seeing it, all those great personages, headed by Vasudeva, and all the ascetics with Vyasa, became filled with wonder.

The vital airs, restrained and unable to escape through any of the outlets, at last passed through the crown of the head and proceeded upwards to Heaven.

The celestial kettledrums began to play and floral showers were rained down. The Siddhas and regenerate Rishis, filled with delight, exclaimed, Excellent, Excellent.

The vital airs of Bhishma, piercing through the crown of his head, shot up through the sky like a large metcor and soon became invisible.

O great king, thus did Shantanu's son, that pillar of Bharata's race, unite himself with eternity.

Then the great Pandavas and Vidura, taking a large quantity of wood and various kinds of fragrant scents, made a funeral pyre.

Yuyutsu and others stood as spectators of the preparations. Then Yudhishthira and the great Vidura wrapped Bhishma body with silken cloth and floral garlands. Yuyutsu held an excellent uinbrella over it.

Bhimasena and Arjuna both held in their hands a couple of pure white yaktails. The two sons of Madri held two headgears in their hands.

Yudhishthira and Dhritarashtra stood at the feet of the body, taking up palmyra fans, the wives of the lord of the Kurus stood around the body and began to fan it softly. The Pitri sacrifice of the great Bhishma was then duly performed. Many libations were poured upon the sacred fire. The singers of Samans sang many Samans.

Then covering the body of Ganga's son with sandal wood and black aloe and the dark wood and other fragrant fuel, and setting ire to the same, the Kurus, with Dhritarashtra and others, stood on the right side of the funeral pyre.

Having thus cremated the body of the son of Ganga those foremost ones of Kuru's race proceeded the sacred Bhagirathi, accompanied by the Rishis.

They were followed by Vyasa, Narada, Asita, Krishna, by the ladies of the Bharata family, as also by such of the citizens of Hastinapur as had come to the place.

to All of them, the foremost of the Kshatriyas, arrived at the sacred river, duly offered Oblations of water to the great son of Ganga.

After those oblations of water had been offered by them to her son the goddess Bhagirathi, rose up from the river, weeping and distracted by sorrow.

In the midst of her lamentations, she addressed the Kurus, saying, You sinless ones, listen to me as I say to you all that took place.

Gitted with royal conduct and disposition, and endued with wisdom and high birth, my Son was the benefactor of all the elders of his family. He was devoted to his father and was of high vows.

He could not be defeated by even Rama of Jamadagni's race with his highly powerful celestial weapons; alas, that hero has been killed by Shikhandin.

You kings, forsooth, my heart is made of adamant, for it does not break even at the disappearance of that son from my view.

At the Svayamvara at Kashi, he defeated on a single car the assembled Kshatriyas and carried away the three princesses.

There was no one on Earth who equalled him in power; alas, my heart does not break upon hearing the slaughter of that son of mine by Shikhandin. Who, high souled one, afflicted the son of Jamadagni, in the field of Kuru with very little exertion, is slain today by Shikhandin.

Hearing the goddess of the great river thus bewail the powerful Krishna consoled her with many soothing words. Krishna said, “O amiable one, be comforted. Do not give way to sorrow, O you of beautiful features. Forsooth, your son has gone to the highest region of happiness.

O nice lady! He was ihe great effulgent Vasu compaled to take birth as a man on account of the curse of the sage Vasistha. Hence, it is not fair to wail for him.

According to Kshatriya duties, he was killed by Dhananjaya on the field of battle while engaged in battle. He has not been killed, O goddess, by Shikhandin.

The very king of the celestials himself could not kill Bhishma in battle when he stood with stretched bow in hand.

(you of beautiful face, your son has happily gone to to Heaven. All the gods assembled together could not kill him in battle.

Do not, therefore, O goddess Ganga, grieve for that son of Kuru's race. He was one of the Vasus, O goddess, your son has gone to Heaven. Let the fever of your heart be removed."

Vaishampayana said Thus addressed by Krishna that foremost of all rivers cast off her grief, O great king, and became consoled.

O monarch, having honoured that goddess duly all the kings there present, headed by Krishna, received her permission to go away from her banks.