Bhishma Falls is a story from the Mahabharata. It shows how Bhishma’s death in the Kurukshetra paved the way for the Kauravas’ destruction. This story teaches us:
If the opposition is respectable, they deserve to be treated with honour on the deathbed.
Even if you are facing war, do not forget to be humane.
An Introduction to the Story Bhishma’s Fall
Do you know the story of Bhishma’s fall and why did Bhishma not fall on the ground? Bhishma, one of the greatest characters of the epic, the Mahabharata, had fought for the Kauravas. On the tenth day of Kurukshetra, Arjun had to kill Bhishma. But Arjun respected Bhishma so much that he could not see him falling on the ground. So, when Bhishma instructed Arjun to kill him, Arjun shot several arrows at him. Bhishma took his last breath on the bed of arrows. Even though Arjuna had to kill Bhishma, he paid respect to Bhishma at his last breath. If you are wondering why, then read the full story ahead!
Summary of the Story Bhishma’s Fall
Thousands of years ago, when the Kurukshetra began, the Kauravas and the Pandavas engaged in fierce fighting. Lord Krishna instructed Arjun to do everything possible to balance the order of society. So, Arjun, too, was determined to fight till his last breath.
The Pandava brothers targeted every Kaurava brother. While Bhim had to target Dushashana and his brothers, the rest of the Pandava brothers had to target other Kauravas and their allies.
Bhishma, the pupil of Parshurama, was the strongest soldier the Kaurava had. He was the backbone of the Kauravas. So, Arjuna had to kill him to strengthen their chance of winning the Kurukshetra.
When Lord Krishna instructed Arjun to kill Bhishma Pitama, he was heartbroken. He was unable to do it. But Arjun knew he had to. But they also knew that one could only kill Bhishma if he wished to die. So, Shrikhandi came to the battlefield and convinced Bhishma to die.
So, on the tenth day of Kurukshetra, Arjun and Bhishma came face-to-face. Bhisma instructed Arjun to kill him. But Arjun could not see him die although he knew that he had to kill him. So, Arjun showered several arrows on Bhishma. The arrows pierced Bhishma’s body. The arrows were so powerful that Bhishma fell to the ground. But the arrows supported his body like a bed.
Bhishma laid straight on Bhishma's bed of arrows. His head was hanging from there. When Arjun saw Bhishma Pitama like this, he was heartbroken and started crying. He knew he had paved the way for winning the battle but had no happiness.
Lying on the bed of arrows, Bhishma told Arjun that he was thirsty. “I am very thirsty. Can you give me some water?” As soon as Arjun heard that, he shot an arrow at the ground, and a fountain of water started to come out of there and reached Bhishma’s mouth.
Seeing Arjun’s kindness, Bhishma blessed him. He also summoned Duryodhana and warned him. He urged him to come to a settlement with the Pandavas and stop the battle immediately.
Karna, fighting from the Kauravas' side, also came to pay his last respect to Bhishma. He asked for mercy for his previous misconduct. At last, after giving his blessing to the Pandavas, Bhishma took his last breath, laying on the bed of arrows. After his death, Bhishma went to heaven.
Bhishma’s Fall
Moral of the Story Bhishma’s Fall
The story, Bhishma’s Fall, an excerpt from the one of the greatest epic the Mahabharata is one of the most crucial parts of the entire epic. The whole episode of Bhishma’s fall can teach children that even the enemy can be respectable if conscience is attached to it. One should never forget to respect a worthy person.
In this story, children can see that Arjun killed Bhishma after making Bhishma’s bed of arrows. This can teach kids that even though Arjun and Bhishma fought on the opposite side, they both respected each other’s cause for fighting the battle.
Note to the Parents
Why did Bhishma not fall on the ground? Even though the story centres round Bhishma’s fall, this question has a significance that can teach kids a lot. Parents should read this story to their kids and help them understand that Bhishma earned the love and respect from his family not just by being their ‘Pitama’ but being a great man, a man of words. Reading this story to kids can also help them understand that one can carry a hostile relationship with conscience and respect.
FAQs on Bhishma Falls: A Story from the Mahabharata
1. When did Bhishma fall on the battlefield?
On the tenth day of Kurukshetra, lord Krishna asked Arjun to kill Bhishma. But Arjun could not bring himself to do it. But when Bhishma instructed him to kill him, Arjun could not find a way but to shoot several arrows at Bhishma. So, the answer to your question, “when did Bhishma fall on the battlefield” is when Arjun shot arrows at Bhishma, and he lay on the bed of arrows.
2. Where did Bhishma go after his death?
This is one of the most common questions. Yet a lot of people seem to be unfamiliar with this. Bhishma understood his fate and decided to die on the tenth day of Kurukshetra. That is why he went to heaven after his death.
3. How did Arjun make Bhishma fall on the battlefield?
You must have known ‘when did Bhishma fall on the battlefield,’ but the way he fell was something entirely different. Arjun shot several arrows at Bhishma, which made him fall. But he did not fall on the ground. Instead, he lay on the bed of arrows.
4. Why do you think Bhishma went to heaven?
Where did Bhishma go after death? We have already mentioned that it was heaven. Why? This is because he was a righteous man, and when he understood that he needed to die, he instructed Arjun to kill him. He went to heaven for his good deeds and great heart.
Bhishma Falls is a story from the Mahabharata. It shows how Bhishma’s death in the Kurukshetra paved the way for the Kauravas’ destruction. This story teaches us:
If the opposition is respectable, they deserve to be treated with honour on the deathbed.
Even if you are facing war, do not forget to be humane.
