The Immortal Characters of Mahabharat by Raj Shah

Author: Raj Shah

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Bhishma

Bhishma is the first of the main characters in the story of Mahabharata. He was the son of Ganga and King Shantanu. He was named Devavrat was he was born.Due to an unfortunate event his mother left him and his father at his birth. When he grew up, he showed great intelligence, strength and ruling abilities. His father fell in love with a fisherwoman and wanted to marry her. She refused saying that it would be Bhishma, and not her children who would inherit the throne. Bhishma said he would be happy to give it up for her. She was, however, worried about his children who would fight for their rights. At this time, Bhishma took a noble vow to never marry, thereby ending the threat anyone in his family would pose. This is when Devavrat was named Bhishma, or the one who has made a terrible vow. In this manner, Bhishma always led the kingdom of Hastinapur, but never ascended the throne.