Promises

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

Bhishma's Oath

Crossing the Ganges

Bhishma said, "One day, before my return,  my father, the great king Shantanu had to cross the river.  As he waited for the ferry, he was overwhelmed by an enchanting perfume. The water was calm that morning. A gentle mist shrouded the banks. Through the mist he saw the craft. 

"There was the figure of a girl. Her perfume was intoxicating. She drew closer, out of the mist. He had never witnessed such beauty. Satyavati raised her lotus eyes from the oars and smiled. My father was smitten, doomed by desire.

Shantanu and Satyavati

"And so it was that my father, childless and forlorn, having conquered vast lands beyond his own kingdom, met and fell in love with the beautiful Satyavati. Upon crossing the river he was utterly enchanted and lost his wits in the charms of love. Of course, my father wasn’t childless at all. But in his loneliness, Satyavati shined like the April moon. His heart was lost.

"As I have said, it was soon after my father fell in love that I returned with my mother from the ashram of Paraśurāma, the terrible sage among warriors, or warrior among sages. I was armed with the mighty weapon of Shiva and conversant with wielding sword, bow and ax. 

 "And so I returned to the royal life of a prince. I expected to one day rule, just as my father before me. I had been trained to govern.  I understood the Vedas and the Law of Manu. Parasurama had taught me the importance of respecting brahmanas. I knew the value of peace and the power of war. My education was complete. My father had tried to get an heir, but while Ganges had borne him eight sons, seven had returned to the heavens. 

"I was the only one fit to rule. But I had been cursed. And my curse had not yet been fulfilled. I was born to rule; but the rule was not to be mine. I was to be passed over for my yet unborn brothers. My father was past the age where men court wives, yet in his folly, he had fallen in love with the enchanting Satyavati. He had found a young maiden on the banks of the river and was determined to have her. 

"I was surprised by this news. I had thought that I would be his heir, to rule the Indias according to the ancient laws of Manu. But it was not to be so.

“Son,” the king said, “I need your help.”

“And who was I to refuse? I had heard from Parashurama himself about the importance of obedience. Parashurama, who beheaded his own mother in obedience to his father’s law. Even if his love for this maiden was folly, who was I to challenge my father?”

And so, at that time he asked me to go to the river on an errand. He sent me to ask the crafty old fisherman for the hand of Satyavati. And so, I met with her father. I brought treasure in gold and silver, and presents of silk and incense. He offered me a cool drink and a sitting place on carpets. I spoke with sweet words, in the cultivated language of the court. I told the old man I had come in the name of my father Shantanu, Lord of the realm, to ask for his daughter’s hand. 

“Shantanu?” he said, stroking his beard with leathery fingers. “Yes, I have heard the name. You must know that my daughter has many suitors, some of them quite rich. Your father is old, like me. Why should I wed my Satyavati to him?”

“She may have suitors, but none like Shantanu,” I said. “My Lord Shantanu is a great king.”

“Yes, but what of that? He will retire soon and leave the kingdom to you. You are a great warrior. My daugher’s sons will have no position.”

“I see. Then I shall return and tell him there shall be no match.  And what if my father takes her by force?”

“That would be against dharma. Why should he steal a poor man’s daughter? This would not be noble of him. People would talk. I am favorable to a match, but I have my conditions. I am not a fool. I know  the value of wedding my daughter to a king. But try to understand my position.  I must ensure her success. I am favorable to a match,” he said, but I need some assurance from you.”

“What conditions? Speak, man.”

“It is known that you are a formidable warrior and the son of Shantanu. As his son, you are the heir to the throne of all the Indias. If my daughter marries your father, her sons will never rule the kingdom.”

“This is true,” I said, “But I shall personally assure their future. After my father’s death, if I assume the throne, I will give all respect to my father’s wife and children. They will never worry for anything.”

“Not good enough,” said the crafty old fisherman. “You see, you will be king.”

“Then my brothers shall rule the kingdom. As the gods are my witnesses I renounce the throne and all royal privilege,” said I, remembering Jamadagni’s loyalty to his father. At this time the gods showered flavors from the heavens and there was a resounding thunderclap. “I shall serve my brothers as their loyal vassal and protector.”

Bhishma's Vow

“Just a moment,” said the crafty old fisherman. “I know the ways of men. If you will not rule, your son shall be heir to the throne of all the Indias.”

“If this is your concern,” said I, “Then I shall never marry and have children. I renounce marriage and the association of women forever. I shall live my life alone:  a life-long brahmachari celibate. I shall never have children.”

With this the earth was silent and the waters of the river were calm. Again the gods showered flowers from the heavens upon hearing my great oath. “Furthermore, I swear loyalty to whatever sons Satyavati and my father might bear. I will serve as the humble vassal of my brothers and their descendants as long as I draw breath.”

Once again a shower of flowers fell from heaven. 

I had taken the powerful oath that gives me my name, Brihad-vrata. With this that crafty old fisherman, the father of Satyavati, smiled. He assented to the match and ordered refreshing drinks to be served. The witnesses to the contract we had made cheered. The old fisherman called for Satyavati to be brought. When everything had been explained to her, she smiled demurely, and went to pack her belongings. That very afternoon I delivered her to the court of my father, King Shantanu. The wedding took place shortly thereafter.

Traditional Wedding Decorations of Hands and Feet in Henna