Knowledge and Experience

Bheeshma was lying on the bed of arrows in the middle of Kurukshetra battlefield. The arrows that had pierced his body were shot at him by by his own grandson, Arjuna. Bheeshma was blessed with the boon of choosing the time of his death. Bheeshma decided to wait on the bed of arrows for some more time, however painful it were, before welcoming his death and renounce the physical body.

Bheeshma's entire life was a web of curses and a boon. Many curses combined together behind this one boon to dictate the events in his life. Some of these curses were taking shape even before his birth itself! Considered as one of the foremost warriors of his era, he was witness to many events during his life time. While lying on the bed of arrows, he reflected on the events of his life and the reasons for which he had to face the long wait. Two reasons are given for his long wait.

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Lord Brahma was taking a walk along the seashore. Lord Varuna, Lord of the ocean, suddenly came up with big waves and sprayed water on him. Brahma became enraged, told him to calm down and said - Shanto Bhava - (शान्तो भव). Coupled with this, there was another curse on him and Ganga, the divine river. During a celebration in the court of Lord Indra, he was continuously staring at Ganga when her shoulder garment was blown away by the wind while all others looked elsewhere. Ganga was also staring at him. Brahma cursed them to be born on earth and live as man and wife. Varuna took birth as Shantanu, a name derived from the first curse. He met Ganga and asked her to be his wife. Ganga accepted on the condition that he would not question her on any of her actions. The day he questions her, she would be free to dissolve the marriage and go away. The two curses brought them together on the earth as Shantanu and Ganga.

Eight brothers, known as Ashta (eight) Vasus, went to the hermitage of Sage Vasishta. They were well looked after by the sage and treated with all comforts despite living in the forest. The Vasus learnt that all this was due to a sacred cow in the custody of the sage. The youngest brother was tempted by his wife to take away the cow from the sage. Other seven brothers assisted him. The sage cursed them to be born on the earth. The eight brothers repented and begged the sage's mercy. The sage somewhat relented and reduced the rigour of the curse for the seven brothers who only assisted in the attempted crime. They would be born on earth, but get released immediately due to their death, he said. The last brother who was the main offender would however have to lead a full life on earth, he insisted. These eight brothers were born as the sons of Shantanu and Ganga.

As soon as a child was born, Ganga would take it and throw it in the river. Shantanu could not question her as per their arrangement arrived at before the marriage. Seven sons were thus killed. When the eighth son was born, Shantanu could not hold back and stopped Ganga from the child being thrown in the river. Ganga handed over this eighth son, named Devavrata, to Shantanu, dissolved the marriage and left. 

Devavrata was educated by many a stalwarts; he was a student of Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas, Shukracharya, the Guru of the Demons, Sages Vasishta, Chyavana and Markandeya. He learnt the secrets of archery and warfare from Lord Parashurama. He became a treasure of knowledge and the most learned man of his time.

Meanwhile Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, the daughter of Daasha Raja. Daasha Raja was agreeable to offer her in marriage but wanted her son to succeed Shantanu as the King. Devavrata being the elder son was now standing between the marriage and the throne. Shantanu did not want to deny Devavrata's rights. But Devavrata found the reason for his father's sadness and persuaded Daasha Raja for the marriage. He told Daasha Raja that he would forego his claim to the throne and Satyavati's son would be the King. Daasha Raja was not satisfied with this offer. What would happen if Devavrata's children claimed the throne in due course? Devavrata went a step further. He promised Daasha Raja that he would never marry and remain a bachelor for the rest of his life! This removed the final hurdle and Satyavati married Shantanu. Devavrata was now known as "Bheeshma" due to his vow to remain a bachelor for the rest of his time and defend the Hastinapur throne as a dedicated protector.

Bheeshma was now tied to the Hastinapur throne by his own vow. He abducted three daughters of the King of Kashi to get them married to his step brother Vichitraveerya. Eldest of them, Amba, was in love with another King, Salva, and therefore was released by Bheeshma. Salva refused to marry her after the abduction. She returned and demanded that Bheeshma marry her. Bheeshma cited his vow and refused. Amba went to Bheeshma's Guru Parushurama and sought his help. Having refused the Guru's advice to marry her due to his vow, Bheeshma had to reluctantly fight his own Guru Parushurama. After more than three weeks of fighting, it was declared as a draw. Amba now took birth as Shikhandi with the sole goal of becoming the reason for Bheeshma's death. Arjuna used Shikhandi as a shield and felled Bheeshma on the bed of arrows.

Lying on the bed of arrows, Bheeshma was reviewing all happenings in his life. Karna had the sympathy of all for his misfortune, but his own misfortune was far greater than that of Karna. He could not even breathe his last as there was one more duty that he had to perform.

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What are the two reasons for his long wait on the bed of arrows? First reason given is that he waited for Uttarayana Punyakala, the time when the Sun starts his journey northwards. The second reason given is that he had to wait for the conclusion of the war and satisfy himself that the throne of Hastinapur was safe. Both were minor reasons. The belief that those who die in Uttarayana alone go to heaven is not true. Reaching heaven or hell is purely dependant on ones own deeds during the life time. Only the paths traced for the onward journey during Uttarayana and Dakshinayana are different and it does not affect the final destination. Otherwise half the people can never reach heaven as they die in Dakshinayana. As regards safety of the throne, it was well known that Pandavas would ultimately win the war and Yudhishtira would occupy the throne at the conclusion of the war. This being the case what was the real secret behind Bheeshma's long wait?

Once the war is concluded and Yudhishtira is anointed as the King, Krishna brings the new King and his brothers to Kurukshetra battlefield to meet Bheeshma. Bheeshma recites "Vishnu Sahasranaama" and seeks Krishna's permission to welcome his death. The discussion between Bheeshma and Krishna goes thus:

"Pitamah (Grandfather), you are the treasure house of all knowledge in the world. There is no other person on this earth who has amassed the amount of knowledge as you have done. The list of your Gurus itself is a testimony to this. You have one real reason for holding your life till now. Your exemplary knowledge should not go waste. King Yudhishtira is the right person to receive this treasure. Please advise him urgently when you are still here".

"Krishna, when you are yourself present here and advising Pandavas, who am I to advise Yudhishtira?"

"I may have the knowledge. I do not have your experience. Mere knowledge is not enough. Experience is equally valuable. Furthermore, your knowledge and experience should pass on especially to your successors in the family. Please pass on your knowledge and experience to him before you embrace your death".

Bheeshma duly obliged and advised Yudhishtira at length. His advice is recorded in the latter part of Mahabharata. Once the duty was completed, he renounced the human body and concluded his life's journey.

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This has a great lesson for all of us. Knowledge is indeed important. Experience is equally important. Knowledge and experience are to be passed on to the next generation. That ensures continuity. And thus life goes on.....

It was just not Bheeshma alone...

Bhagavan Sri Krishna refers to, among other things, "Karma Yoga" in Srimad Bhagavadgeetha. We call  many achievers as "Karma yogis". But many Karma yogis are never known outside their homes. This is the life story of one such Karma yogi.

Mysore was the capital of Old Mysore State before independence, and Wodeyars were ruling the state. Krishna Raja Wodeyar IV was the King who ruled between 1904 to 1940. He was known as a Philosopher King and Mahatma Gandhi called him "Rajarshi". After Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, his nephew Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar became the king and ruled from 1940 till the state merged with the Indian Republic. Jayachamaraja Wodeyar was also a popular ruler and an acknowledged philosopher. He was a respected figure in music circles both in India and abroad. He has many music compositions to his credit and was the first President of Philharmonic Concert Society, London. After Independence, he was the first Governor of Mysore State and then Tamilnadu till 1966. 

There was a Sanskrit-Kannada Pundit in the undivided Mysore District, a few miles away from Mysore City. This pundit was a highly respected astrologer as well and was consulted by these Maharajahs in times of need. Though the Pundit commanded respect from one and all including such illustrious Maharajahs, he kept away from the Capital and continued to lead a simple life in his small town. His family consisted of his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grand children. In course of time both the Pundit and his wife became very old. My father once told me that his maternal uncle and himself had been to the Pundit's house for some astrological consultations. Even at the age of 90 years he was active and had a very sharp memory. His wife was 85 years old, but she still cooked the daytime food for the entire family. Their son had also retired from Government service as a Teacher. Daughter-in-law will be in charge of the kitchen for the evening session. The pundit and his wife took only fruits and milk in the evenings. It was a well knit family and they lived happily.

The Pundit's daily routine would start at 5 AM. After his daily bath he would perform his pooja for about an hour and spend time with his students, teaching Sanskrit and Astrology, for two to three hours. He would meet the visitors till noon. After lunch he would relax for some time and again meet visitors till evening. Later hours were reserved for his own studies, even at the advanced age. After a cup of milk and some fruits he would retire to bed around 9 PM. Routine for his wife would start half an hour before the Pundit got up and end half an hour after he retired for the day. Her "Tulasi Pooja" would be done before the Pundit's regular Pooja. The couple lived in perfect harmony and the people of the surrounding areas would come to seek their blessings, especially for the new born and newly weds.

The couple got up as usual one morning and went about their daily routine. After the students left at about 9 AM, the wife came to pundit and drew his attention.

"This is the season for Sampige flowers", she said. (Sampige flowers are also known as  as Champaka or Shenbagam or Ylang Ylang flowers)

"Yes, I know that. What about it?", Pundit asked.

"Can you get me some Sampige flowers today?" 

"You never asked for Sampige flowers all these days. You were saying that you get headache due to its strong smell. Even though I liked those flowers you never used them. Why do you want them today?"

"I felt I need those flowers today. Hence I am asking"

"I will go to the market now and get them before lunch"

The Pundit went out and brought the flowers. Lunch was promptly served at 12 Noon. While having lunch the Pundit observed that the wife did not have the flowers on her. "What happened to the flowers? You are not wearing them." he asked. "It is kept for a specific purpose. Not for my use", she said. The Pundit left it at that.

After Pundit's lunch, the wife had her lunch and went for her daily nap. She returned at about 4 PM. The Pundit was lying on his cot reading some book. She asked him to get up and sit in his usual chair. Though surprised, he obliged without murmur. The wife brought her plate of Arisina-Kunkuma  (holy Turmeric and Sindhoor powder plate), paid her respects to him by performing "Paada Pooja". She spread all the Sampige (Champaka) flowers on his feet. She asked the husband to bless her and  bowed to him by placing her head on his feet.

Since she did not get up even after two minutes, the Pundit asked her to get up. She did not respond. He tried to lift her. She was gone. Gone for ever.

Bheeshma Pitaamaha of Mahabharata had a boon of Icchamarana (One who can die when he wants). The Pundit's wife was no less "Karma yogi". She was also a Icchamarani and lived and died the way she wanted. And when she wanted. There are many others like her. Only we do not know them.