Born as Devavrata, son of king Shantanu and his first wife Goddess Ganga, he got the name Bhishma (means "He of the terrible oath") because he took the vow of life-long celibacy and of service to whoever sat on the throne of his father.
This was because when his father wanted to marry Satyavati. Satyavati's father refused, on the grounds that his daughter's children would never be rulers as Shantanu already had a son. This is when Bhisma took an oath of life long celibacy..
His vow was an important turning point in the course of events of Mahabharata.
It was he who paved the way for the second important turning point in the story, namely, the wedding of his stepbrother, son of Satyavati, Vichitravirya. Vichitravirya was the second son of Shantanu and Satyavati. Their first son was named Chitrangada, who was a great warrior and was challenged by a Gandharva king, also by name Chitrangada, simply because his slighted his pride to see a human being walking around, bearing his name! Chitrangada was killed in that battle, which lasted three years, and his death moves the course of the epic to an extent, in that Vichitravirya would not have been enthroned had Chitrangada not died simply because he was christened as Chitrangada!
With the death of the elder brother, Vichitravirya was crowned as the king. Since he was too young at that time, Bhishma looked after the administrative matters on his behalf until such time he grew up into a man. Then, the responsibility of finding a bride for Vichitravirya fell on Bhishma. It was at that time did the king of Kashi announce the Swayamvara of his daughters, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika. It was Swayamvara, the selection of bridegrooms by the brides themselves. But Bhishma decided otherwise. He wanted to get at least one daughter of Kashi Raja wedded to his stepbrother, Vichitravirya and went in person, duly securing the permission of Satyavati.
The presence of this ageing lion of Hastinapur amused the kings who had assembled in the hall. ‘This fellow undertook a vow of celibacy and why would he come here, seeking the hand of these maidens?’ they giggled among themselves, not having the courage to speak those words loudly. Bhishma, however, understood the reason for the mockery that is going on behind his back. Added to this, the brides, while walking past him shrugged and acted as though they were afraid of this old man.
That pricked the pride of Bhishma. He walked like a lion, took all the three princess by force on his chariot, and announced to the gathering: ‘I came here with the intention of securing a bride for my brother. There are eight different kinds of marriage that the Books sanction. The eighth one is the one by which the bride is taken by force, facing adversity. I am now taking all the three brides to Hastinapur by force. I challenge anyone to stop me.’ So saying he sent his horses flying in the direction of Hastinapur. Many kings were afraid of coming in his way.
Salwa Raja however did not relent and he pursued Bhishma, since he had already lost his heart to princess Amba. Amba was in love with him too; but she was afraid of saying anything to this ageing lion that had taken them in one sweep into his chariot and was challenging all the kings. Though driven by the impulse of his love for Amba, king Salwa could not match the swiftness of Bhishma, which was a bit too much for even Parasurama, the terror of Kshatriyas.
The three brides were taken to Hastinapur. Ambika and Ambalika had no difficulty in accepting Vichitravirya as their husband. ‘I am in love with King Saalwa,’ Amba blabbered hesitantly. ‘We are in love and I had already decided to garland him as my husband.’ Vichitravirya was not prepared to break the heart of this maiden and marry her against her will. She was therefore sent back to seek the hand of King Salwa.
Little did Bhishma realize that he had seeded his own death, with his own hands, by his own deed, on that day. The events that followed were so painful that Amba vowed to kill herself, or to aid the killing of Bhishma. But even if he was aware of that fact, Bhishma would not have in any way been affected. He was above the fear of death.
Bhishma reflected pretty much everything that was wrong in the system. He was a person who was blinded by his traditional beliefs .. so much that he failed to judge right from wrong..
First he forcibly got the daughters of King of Kaashi without seeking their permissions.. Seems like that is what happens with girls everywhere.. they have to accept what the so called "elders" decide for them.. and if a girl decides to choose her own path.. oh well she is branded a failure..
The second sin that Bhishma committed was keeping mum when his own daughter-in-law was getting disrobed by the Kaurava prince.. He kept quite on the premise that he was tongue-tied because of his duty to the throne of hastinapur..
Mahabharat has taught me that sometimes you have to question the traditions.. You cannot simply follow the traditions blindly.. There must be a rationale somewhere.. If there is no rationale to your actions.. you might end up being a bhishma, living lonely life.. without any purpose..
Like today I came across this article in NY Times.. where lot of male priests have denied ordaining of women priests in catholic churches..
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/f/Women_Priests.htm
Isnt this simply something what people like Bhishma would do.. follow the traditions blindly..
Sometimes thinking about all this makes me wonder.. if only Bhishma would have remained Devavrata...
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