Shloka 1
Bhīṣmadeva’s Passing Away in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa
सूत उवाच इति भीत: प्रजाद्रोहात्सर्वधर्मविवित्सया । ततो विनशनं प्रागाद् यत्र देवव्रतोऽपतत् ॥ १ ॥
sūta uvāca iti bhītaḥ prajā-drohāt sarva-dharma-vivitsayā tato vinaśanaṁ prāgād yatra deva-vrato ’patat
Sūta Gosvāmī sagte: Aus Angst, auf dem Schlachtfeld von Kurukṣetra so viele Untertanen getötet zu haben, begab sich Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira zum Ort des Massakers, wo Bhīṣmadeva lag.
In this Ninth Chapter, as it is willed by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Bhīṣmadeva will impart instructions to King Yudhiṣṭhira on the subject of occupational duties. Bhīṣmadeva will also offer his last prayer to the Lord on the verge of passing away from this mortal world and thus become liberated from the bondage of further material engagements. Bhīṣmadeva was endowed with the power of leaving his material body at will, and his lying down on the bed of arrows was his own choice. This passing away of the great warrior attracted the attention of all the contemporary elites, and all of them assembled there to show their feelings of love, respect and affection for the great soul.
FAQs
Because he felt fearful and remorseful about the war’s destruction and, wishing to understand dharma fully, went to the sacred place where Bhishma (Devavrata) lay.
Devavrata is Bhishma, the great vow-holder of the Kuru dynasty, who fell on the battlefield and later instructed the righteous king.
When burdened by guilt or moral confusion, seek clarity through sincere inquiry into dharma and guidance from saintly, wise authorities rather than remaining trapped in self-blame.