Lessons from Bhishmadev - Part 9

Date: 2015-06-18 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the transcription of the nectarean and inspiring class given by our beloved spiritual master HH Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj in London on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Chapter 9. In previous offerings we have heard 7 points.

8. Commitment of Bhishmadev: In order to please his father, Bhishmadev sacrificed his life. And this sacrifice is very difficult. Very difficult. And you do anything for others, you have to sacrifice, you have to sacrifice, yajna. Yajna that are just directed to the good of all people, then you are satisfied. Otherwise yajnas can be done for otherwise also. But they are not recommended in shastras. For good we can do, for bad things we should shun. And then only our life may become pure during this lifetime. If not next, next or next life. Atleast we are on the path, so at least we should try.

So after this sacrifice, the fisherman's daughter, accompanied Bhishmadev. She was brought to the palace by Bhishmadev. And then she was offered to Santanu and he was very pleased. And then when he knew about Bhishmadev's sacrifice, he was feeling the pain. But it was too late. Everything was completely over. And Santanu was satisfied anyway. And then, again the fate started. All the while fate is playing. Fate never stops. Then Santanu had two sons. Vicitravirya and Citrangad. Citrangad was very good fighter. So he was invited for fight by the demigods and he was killed eventually.

So only Vicitravirya was left, he was to be married, when he was of the age. But he was not very clever, not very strong. So Bhishmadev had to arrange his marriage. The king of Kashi, had the practice for generations giving the daughter to Kuru dynasty. But at that time, he was going against it. So Bhishma was upset. So he thought that how can Kashi raja's daughters go to somebody else. Kashiraja had arranged for the marriage competition, Svayamvara. And when Bhishmadev went there, he brought all the three daughters, , Ambika, . So in this also Bhishma committed a mistake. And see how these mistakes were committed and all the horrible results were awaiting. This is the intricacy in Bhishmadev's life. As soon as we hear the name of Bhishma, all these things we have to remember, so that we know what character we are reading about. These are the different things which has moulded his life to this end.

Krishna willing we shall continue to hear more about Bhishmadev from Maharaj in the subsequent offering.

Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi.