Bhishma (the terrible) In the Hindu epic poem The Mahabharata, a hero, commanderin-chief of the Kauravas in the war with the Pandavas. Bhishma taught the children of both sides, the Kauravas and Pandavas, but when the war broke out between the two sides, he took the part of the Kauravas. He laid down some rules for mitigating the horrors of the war, stipulating that he should not be called on to fight Arjuna, the Pandu prince and main hero of the poem. However, Bhishma was goaded by one of the Kauravas to fight against Arjuna; their encounter took place on the 10th day of battle. Bhishma was pierced with so many arrows that there was no space for a finger’s breadth. When he fell from his chariot, he was held up from the ground by the arrows in his body. He lived for some 58 days more because he had determined the hour of his death. During that time he delivered several long didactic discourses, which make up part of the epic poem. Bhishma is also called Talaketu (palm banner), referring to his banner symbol.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante