In the Mahabharata, a prophecy foretold that if the war exceeded 18 days, Duryodhana would win. Bhishma alone had the strength to stall the war for 18 days. Before the war, the Kaurava warriors and kings gathered to discuss who could handle the war for that duration. Everyone looked to Bhishma.
Krishna, knowing the prophecy, wanted Bhishma to say he couldn’t stall the war for 18 days to favor the Pandavas. He sought the help of Goddess Saraswati, asking her to influence Bhishma’s words (by sitting on his tongue). Krishna hoped Bhishma would deny his capability, thus shaking the Kaurava’s confidence. However, Goddess Saraswati refused, stating that Bhishma’s nobility, might, and truthfulness were so profound that even a deity couldn’t alter his words.
Krishna, resourceful as ever, adapted. He asked Saraswati to influence the other warriors instead. If Bhishma expressed confidence, the others would feel undervalued and create a scene. When Bhishma declared he could stall the war for 18 days, the other kings and warriors felt slighted. They voiced their discontent to Duryodhana, questioning their worth if Bhishma alone was deemed sufficient. This created chaos, and Duryodhana had to pacify them to stay.
The beauty of this story lies in Bhishma’s unmatched nobility. Even Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and knowledge, could not manipulate him. Bhishma’s integrity was such that even divine forces respected it. This tale emphasizes the extraordinary virtue of Bhishma Pitamaha, highlighting that true greatness and nobility can stand unaltered, even by the gods.
Mahabharata 12: Bhishma’s Nobility – A Tale of Divine Respect
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