na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ ~ Bhishma Pitamaha on death bed of arrows !!

The great epic Ithihas purana - "Mahabharata was not a mere  war commentary" – though predominantly describing the battle – it is not  just a narrative of conflict,  it highlights  the devastating consequences, the philosophical and ethical dilemmas of warfare, profoundly acknowledging  the principles of Dharma and Adharma, serving as a lesson on duty, righteousness, and the far-reaching, destructive impact of war, even when fought for a just cause.   

There are so many powerful characters almost all them mighty warriors excepting Bhagwan Sree Krishna who sought to stand by dharma without touching weapons  The Mahabharata does not glorify war but instead powerfully conveys its destructive nature and the immense loss of life it entails.  There is Bhishma Pitamaha – the avowed warrior to stood to protect the kingdom of Hastinapur.    Here is a picture of Bhishma on death bed – of arrows !  painful even to think and look.

 

The  Bed of arrows was the  state of Bhishma Pitamaha after he was mortally wounded in battle, symbolizing his valour, sacrifice, and devotion. This term serves as a metaphorical expression for Bhishma's final moments, where he lies on a  bed made of arrows that signify his heroic status and the circumstances of his defeat. It represents both his suffering and the tranquility he finds in accepting death, embodying the honor associated with warriors who uphold their duties.

 

न धनं न जनं न सुन्दरीं कवितां वा जगदीश कामये

मम जन्मनि जन्मनीश्वरे  भवताद् भक्तिर् अहैतुकी त्वयि ।।

 

na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ

kavitāṁ vā jagadīśa kāmaye

mama janmani jamanīśvare

bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi

 

O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth.   

As the dust settled on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the great warrior Bhishma Pitamah lay on a bed of arrows, pierced yet undefeated in spirit. His body, riddled with wounds, glowed with an inner light, for he was no ordinary mortal. Bhishma was blessed with Ichha Mrityu, the boon to choose the time of his death, and he now waited for the Uttarayan (the auspicious time when the sun transitions northward) to leave his mortal coil.   

The Pandavas, victorious but weary, were haunted by the devastation around them. Yudhishthira, their eldest brother and the rightful heir to the throne, was particularly distraught. The weight of war and the loss of countless lives had plunged him into a deep moral dilemma. He doubted his ability to rule with justice and righteousness. Seeing Yudhishthira’s anguish, Krishna, the guide and protector of the Pandavas, advised him to seek wisdom from the wisest man alive—Bhishma.    Despite fighting on the side of the Kauravas, Bhishma had always been the epitome of dharma and knowledge.  The Pandavas approached Bhishma, who lay on his arrow-laden bed, his face serene despite the agony of his wounds. Krishna stood by their side, his divine presence filling the atmosphere with peace. Yudhishthira folded his hands and bowed before Bhishma.  

The story of Bhishma's fall in battle and his interaction with the warriors who gathered around him provides a profound lesson on resilience, honor, and integrity. Bhishma's unwavering commitment to his principles, even in the face of death, teaches us the importance of staying true to our values, no matter the circumstances. He chooses a warrior's bed of arrows over comfort, symbolizing the importance of living and dying by one's beliefs and responsibilities.  

From Bhishma's request for an appropriate "pillow,"  one need to recognize and appreciate the  true essence of support and comfort, not in material possessions, but in actions and decisions that align with our inner convictions. Even in his final moments, Bhishma's interactions are characterized by dignity and respect, showing us the value of treating others with honor, regardless of the situation. The respect and veneration all the warriors show towards Bhishma, despite being in opposing camps,  tells that  true merit and character can transcend conflict and earn universal respect.   

Bhishma's dying words to Lord Krishna during the Mahabharata were, "I have no desire for wealth, followers, .. .. … .. .. " ("na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye. mama janmani janmanishvare. bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi"), as he lay on his bed of arrows, accepting Krishna as the supreme Lord.  

 

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
30/9/2025

Pic taken at a  Museum in Kurukshetra / Info collated from various sources, with inputs taken from wisdomlib-org  &  Mahabharata (English Summary) by Kisari Mohan Ganguli