Bhishma Character Analysis in Mahabharata

Bhishma is a son of the river spirit Ganga, an elder in the Kuru lineage, and one of the most formidable commanders of the Kaurava army. Although he allies himself with Duryodhana, he maintains respect for the Pandavas, and he grants Yudhishthira permission to fight him before the war starts. He is celibate and cares deeply about acting honorably, but he is also a fierce warrior who kills many of the Pandava warriors. Able to choose the date of his own death due to a boon, he lives in a state of near-death for many months after Arjuna fells him on the battlefield. During this time, he imparts his wisdom to Yudhishthira, discussing morality over the course of almost two full books of the poem. Bhishma represents the wisdom of elders and becomes a mouthpiece to explain some important religious tenets of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Bhishma Quotes in Mahabharata

The Mahabharata quotes below are all either spoken by Bhishma or refer to Bhishma . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Seeing these most wonderful happenings, and the honour paid to Duryodhana, the Pandavas felt ashamed; they grieved mightily to hear it said that Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and Buriśravas had been killed unfairly. But Krishna, seeing them anxious and downcast, proclaimed in a voice sounding like thunder or drums, ‘Duryodhana here with his swift weapons, and those other valiant chariot-fighters, could not have been slain by you on the battlefield in a fair fight. That is why I devised these stratagems, lords of men—otherwise the victory of the Pandavas could never have happened.’

Related Characters: Samjaya (speaker), Ugraśravas (speaker), Krishna (speaker), Vaiśampayana (speaker), Duryodhana , Bhishma , Karna, Drona

Page Number and Citation: 560

Explanation and Analysis:

Bhishma agrees to expound his knowledge, but insists that it must be Yudhishthira who questions him. Krishna explains that Yudhishthira is filled with shame and fears Bhishma’s curse, but Bhishma insists that the killing even of relatives and elders is in accord with the Kshatriya dharma.

Related Characters: Ugraśravas (speaker), Vaiśampayana (speaker), Krishna , Bhishma , Yudhishthira

Page Number and Citation: 606

Explanation and Analysis:

Bhishma replies that nothing can grow if no seed is sown: one should practice austerities, give gifts, abstain from violence and live virtuously, for this is what will determine one’s future condition.

Related Characters: Ugraśravas (speaker), Vaiśampayana (speaker), Krishna , Bhishma , Yudhishthira

Page Number and Citation: 701

Explanation and Analysis:

Bhishma Character Timeline in Mahabharata

The timeline below shows where the character Bhishma appears in Mahabharata. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the son of Drona as well as a fusion of the god Śiva and Death. Bhishma is born in the Kuru kingdom at the command of Indra and fights against Rama... (full context)

...is broken, and Ganga must leave Śamtanu. She leaves, taking her son Devavrata (later called Bhishma) with her. (full context)

...so he asks Ganga to show herself again. Ganga confirms that he is Śamtanu’s son (Bhishma), and that he has spent many years studying both weapons and spirituality. (full context)

Śamtanu’s son Devavrata (Bhishma) earns recognition across the land for his skills and good conduct. One day while he’s... (full context)

...of gods, Apsarases (nymphs), and seers shower Devavrata with flowers and proclaim that he is Bhishma. As a boon for his son, Śamtanu gives Bhishma the ability to choose the hour... (full context)

Satyavati has two sons: Citrangada and Vicitravirya. Citrangada dies in battle, so Bhishma makes the child Vicitravirya king. When Vicitravirya is old enough, Bhishma abducts three sisters—Amba, Ambika,... (full context)

...Pandu, and Vidura, the kingdom enters the Krita Age, where everything is prosperous and peaceful. Bhishma looks after the three princes like sons and plays his part to make sure dharma... (full context)

When Bhishma arranges for Dhritarashtra to marry the princess Gandhari, her parents worry about their daughter marrying... (full context)

...military campaigns, while Dhritarashtra uses some of Pandu’s new wealth for sacrifices to the gods. Bhishma also finds a wife for Vidura. Altogether, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari have 100 sons, a feat... (full context)

Bhishma is looking for a tutor for the five Pandavas, and he finds one in Drona.... (full context)

...be killed before they make even more powerful alliances, ultimately, Dhritarashtra listens to Vidura and Bhishma, welcoming the Pandavas back to his kingdom. (full context)

...illustrious Brahmins and Kshatriyas from across the land, then gives them lavish accommodations. Nakula invites Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, who come gladly. Noble guests keep coming and offering Yudhishthira gifts, believing he... (full context)

...ground to pay tribute to Yudhishthira. When it comes time to make guest-offerings, Yudhishthira asks Bhishma who should receive the first offering. Almost everyone agrees that Krishna deserves this honor, except... (full context)

THE KILLING OF ŚISUPALA. Śisupala continues to cause trouble for Yudhishthira. Bhishma tells Bhima Śisupala’s backstory: Śisupala is born with three eyes and four arms, but a... (full context)

...in Arjuna’s chariot, and they come to a Kuru army that includes Karna, Duryodhana, Kripa, Bhishma, and Drona. Uttara jumps off the chariot and tries to run away, but since Arjuna... (full context)

...all attack him together. During one of the most intense moments, Arjuna faces off against Bhishma and manages to hit him with so many arrows that he passes out. Eventually, Arjuna... (full context)

...doesn’t relinquish Yudhishthira’s kingdom, the Pandavas are ready to go to war. At the hall, Bhishma also speaks up against Duryodhana. Dhritarashtra believes that it would be a disaster to fight... (full context)

...allies and that the Kauravas are likely to lose if they try to challenge them. Bhishma gives his own speech agreeing with Krishna, then Drona does the same. Vidura and even... (full context)

...Both the Pandavas and the Kauravas prepare their armies. THE INSTALLATION OF BHISHMA. Duryodhana puts Bhishma in charge of his forces. Dhritarashtra asks Samjaya to give him an update on Duryodhana’s... (full context)

...REVIEW OF THE MAJOR AND MINOR WARRIORS. Samjaya continues his summary, describing how Duryodhana had Bhishma name all his major and minor warriors. (full context)

AMBA. Duryodhana hears the story of how Bhishma will not kill Sikhandin, a mortal male warrior who used to be female and who... (full context)

Amba isn’t happy with this outcome, wanting Bhishma dead, and so one day when Śiva offers her a boon, she asks to be... (full context)

...SERMON OF THE BLESSED LORD. After the first phase of battle, Samjaya tells Dhritarashtra that Bhishma has died. The death is a major blow to the Kaurava war effort. Samjaya begins... (full context)

In Samjaya’s recount of the battle, Bhishma urged all his followers that it was dharma to fight to the death. It soon... (full context)

...weapons. Krishna understands, however: Yudhishthira needs to seek permission from his elders to fight, and Bhishma is his elder, even though he fights on the opposite side. (full context)

Bhishma praises Yudhishthira for coming to see him before the battle. Yudhishthira asks if Bhishma has... (full context)

...an elephant, and the first day ends with the Kauravas forcing the Pandavas to retreat. Bhishma and his arrows cause particular damage. The second day is less conclusive, but Bhishma continues... (full context)

On the fourth day of battle, Bhishma leads the attack against Arjuna. Meanwhile, Bhima slays so many elephants with his deadly club... (full context)

The seventh day begins with more violence. Bhishma and Yudhishthira lead formations against each other. Arjuna uses the special celestial weapon he got... (full context)

The fighting continues throughout the seventh day. In the afternoon, Arjuna kills many of Bhishma’s supporters and heads for Bhishma himself. Bhishma responds later in the day by killing Yudhishthira’s... (full context)

On the ninth day of battle, the fighting remains intense, with Bhishma and Arjuna being two of the deadliest on the battlefield. Bhishma manages to shower Arjuna’s... (full context)

The Pandavas debate how to defeat the formidable Bhishma. At last, Yudhishthira suggests that they should approach Bhishma himself and ask him how he... (full context)

Bhishma adds that he can’t be defeated in battle but can be defeated after he lays... (full context)

The tenth day of battle begins. Bhishma and Sikhandin fight—Arjuna urges Sikhandin to slay Bhishma, but he isn’t able to. Bhishma strikes... (full context)

After ten days of slaughtering Pandava forces, Bhishma becomes tired of living. He calls to Yudhishthira and tells him to place Arjuna in... (full context)

The Pandavas celebrate and the Kauravas mourn the downfall of mighty Bhishma. That evening, both sides gather to pay respects to Bhishma, who is still alive and... (full context)

On his deathbed, but still not quite dead, Bhishma laments how Duryodhana’s foolishness will be the downfall of the Kauravas. Later, however, Karna (who... (full context)

THE INSTALLATION OF DRONA. Samjaya narrates to Dhritarashtra how, without Bhishma, the Kauravas struggled against the Pandavas in battle on the eleventh day of fighting. But... (full context)

...comes upon Krishna and asks what he’s meditating on. Krishna recommends that Yudhishthira go visit Bhishma, who, despite being defeated in battle and barely alive as he lies on a bed... (full context)

Krishna helps ease some of Bhishma’s pain and confusion, so when Yudhishthira and the others come back to see him, he... (full context)

Bhishma talks about dharma in the four stages of life (celibate student, householder, forest-dweller, renouncer). He... (full context)

Bhishma gives more advice about kingship. He says a king should be liberal and generous but... (full context)

...the Kshatriya dharma, which seems evil to him due to the violence it requires, but Bhishma explains that war is necessary and is a chance for bravery. Yudhishthira asks more questions... (full context)

DHARMA IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. Yudhishthira asks Bhishma about how to rule a kingdom when it’s in trouble due to an enemy at... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks Bhishma about how to avoid unintentionally committing sin and where evil originates from. Bhishma says that... (full context)

Yudhishthira goes back to questioning Bhishma, asking what type of people make good friends. Bhishma advises him to avoid ungrateful people... (full context)

THE DHARMA OF FINAL RELEASE. Bhishma advises Yudhishthira that a wise person should follow dharma in order to be released from... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks about the creation of the universe, and Bhishma tells him that the god Brahma first created the Brahmins. All humans were originally Brahmins,... (full context)

Yudhishthira wants to know about the Yoga of final release. Bhishma says that a person who wants release must avoid impure actions. The highest virtue involves... (full context)

Bhishma tells a story he heard about Vyasa and his son Śuka. In the story, Vyasa... (full context)

As he talks more about dharma, Bhishma notes that sacrifice is an important part of dharma, and for a Brahmin, non-violence is... (full context)

...so many friends and family members as well as what role sorrow plays for humans. Bhishma cites old writings and stories about how pleasure can lead to desire and sin, noting... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks about Samkhya and Yoga, two major schools of thought. Bhishma says that followers of Yoga don’t believe a nonbeliever can ever find release, whereas followers... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks if it’s possible to escape old age and death. Bhishma replies that nothing can stop the passage of time, which inevitably takes away human lives.... (full context)

Bhishma then tells Yudhishthira more about various gods, including how Brahma creates a new universe every... (full context)

...but that they all connect back to the universal Self. He resumes the narrative as Bhishma and Yudhishthira again discuss dharma at different stages of life. Bhishma tells a story about... (full context)

...has a hard time staying tranquil when he sees the violent things he’s done to Bhishma, who lies dying on a bed of arrows. Bhishma suggests, however, that the real forces... (full context)

Yudhishthira continues to ask Bhishma a variety of questions, including whether men or women enjoy sex more. Bhishma tells the... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks about the many names for Śiva. Bhishma says there are a thousand of them, listing them in a hymn, and he emphasizes... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks more about Brahmins. Bhishma explains how Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras can become Brahmins only through rebirth, and it is... (full context)

...of women. He believes they are fickle and that they are good at deceiving men. Bhishma agrees and says that Brahma created women at the request of the other gods in... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks more about how dharma relates to families and home life. Bhishma explains how it varies by class and how, for example, a Brahmin can have three... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks about gift-giving and how he should be generous as a king. Bhishma advises him on different gifts for different occasions, saying that food and drink are always... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks about performing śraddha (a ceremony for dead ancestors). Bhishma says all living things should honor their ancestors. He lists certain offerings and certain times... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks Bhishma many more questions about virtue and sin. Bhishma gives several thoughts on dharma and adharma... (full context)

Yudhishthira asks who the one god is, and Bhishma cites Vishnu, giving 1,000 names for him. Bhishma adds that a wise person doesn’t only... (full context)

...about performing his duties as king for 50 days until it’s time to return to Bhishma with materials for a funeral pyre. There, Vyasa, Narada, and other distinguished figures attend to... (full context)

...special jewel. This helps him atone for the breach of dharma he committed by killing Bhishma. (full context)

Mahabharata

Bhishma Character Analysis

Bhishma Quotes in Mahabharata

Chapter 9. Salya Quotes

Chapter 12. Tranquility Quotes

Chapter 13. Instruction Quotes

Bhishma Character Timeline in Mahabharata