Moral Story from the Mahabharata on respecting Parents

Devavrata becomes Bhishma!

Many years later, when Shantanu went to the river Ganga, Goddess Ganga appeared with a small boy.

She said, "Oh, King! Here's Devavrata, your ninth son. He has mastered the art of wielding arms and possesses talents equal to Sage Parshuram. Rushi Vasishtha taught him about the Vedas and Vedanta, as well as the arts and sciences. This is your child, the best archer and statesman. He will immortalise his father's name and be a huge boon to future generations. I raised him with the intention of enabling him to survive on this planet. (As a model parent, Ganga made sure their child was raised with the proper sanskars. This was required to shape young Devavrata for his upcoming function as a guide for Shantanu's descendants.



 

After receiving his son, King Shantanu was ecstatic and proudly led the prince to the castle. The monarch proclaimed Devavrata the crown prince of his realm as they celebrated his arrival. Devavrata appeared very potential, was just, and courageous. The subjects were really happy with the decision.

Due to his advanced age, King Shantanu made the decision to abdicate his crown. He felt lonely and thought of his wife Ganga all the time. During a stroll along the Ganga river one day, he became drawn to Satyavati, a beautiful young woman. She was the chief's daughter from the tribe of fishermen. In her boat, she used to transport rushis over the river. Her whole being exuded a divine aroma.

Satyavati's aroma was not always so beautiful. Due to the fishy odour coming from her, she was formerly known as Matsyagandha. Rushi Parashar once approached the riverbank and requested a ferry to get over. That was the day Satyavati took him in her boat over the river. She received a boon of a son named Vyas and a divine scent from Rushi Parashar, who was pleased with her. Vyas used his divine abilities to grow up fast after birth and then retired to contemplate. On the other hand, Vyas assured his mother Satyavati that he would always be available to her. (Vyas is the first Guru, the fabled sage Ved Vyas, who had mastered the Vedas. While Shri Ganesh transcribed the Mahabharata, Ved Vyas recited it all at once. The descendants of Shantanu also received mentoring from Sage Vyas.)

There was little that Shantanu knew about Satyavati's past. Her beauty had mesmerised him. He went to Satyavati's father, the chief of the fishermen, and requested for her hand in marriage. The plan was accepted by the chief, but he had one requirement. He informed the king that Satyavati's son, not Devavrata, should succeed him as king. When Shantanu learned of the condition, he was astonished and upset. He went home. After learning the reason behind his father's discontent, Devavrata approached Satyavati's father and asked him to approve of his father, King Shantanu, marrying Satyavati. He consented to cede his crown in exchange for Satyavati's son.

After giving it some thought, Satyavati's father remarked, "Noble prince, we believe you, but what about your children? How could they desire the throne?"

After learning this, Devavrata made the solemn promise to himself that he would never get married and that he would always be single. He was referred to as Bhishma, the firm, after that. Satyavati was graciously carried to Shantanu's palace by Bhishma. When Shantanu learned of Bhishma's pledge, he was taken aback, even though he was thrilled to see Satyavati. He bestowed upon Bhishma the ability to select when he would die (Ichchha mrutyu).

Over time, Chitrangad and Vichitravirya, two princes, were born to Queen Satyavati. Chitrangad took the kingdom following Shantanu's death, but he was slain in battle. Bhishma crowned the then-minor Vichitravirya as the king of Hastinapur. When Vichitravirya reached adulthood, Ambika and Ambalika, two princesses of the Kashi monarch, were arranged for him to marry by Bhishma and Queen Satyavati. Regretfully, Vichitravirya passed away without an heir.

Queen Satyavati eventually gave birth to two princes: Chitrangad and Vichitravirya. Following Shantanu's death, Chitrangad ascended to the throne but was assassinated in battle. Bhishma crowned Vichitravirya, then a minor, as King of Hastinapur. When Vichitravirya reached adulthood, Bhishma and Queen Satyavati arranged for him to marry Ambika and Ambalika, two princesses of the King of Kashi. Unfortunately, Vichitravirya died without an heir.

Ambika was afraid of Vyas and closed her eyes when he approached. The Sage blessed her with a son. However, because Ambika had closed her eyes, her kid was born blind. His name was Dhritarashtra. The queen was disappointed, so she begged Vyas to bless Ambalika, the younger widow. Ambalika turned pale in fright as Sage Vyas uttered the boon. As a result, the infant born to Ambalika was pale and was given the name Pandu, which means pale.

Queen Satyavati was puzzled; what could be done now? She asked Sage Vyas for another chance and directed Ambika to get the boon again. Ambika did not wish to appear before the Sage. Instead, without alerting her mother-in-law, Ambika sent her maid to the Sage, disguised in regal attire. The maid remained fearless, greeting Ved Vyas with tremendous devotion. The Sage was pleased, so he bestowed a boon on her, and she bore a perfect kid named Vidur.

Pandu eventually ascended the kingdom since his elder brother Dhrutarashtra was blind, and Vidur became prime minister due to his impeccable judgement and exceptional talent. Dhrutarashtra married Gandhari, a princess from Gandhar in Baluchistan. When Gandhari learned that her husband is blind, she covered her eyes permanently with a cloth.

During Pandu's reign, the Kuru realm expanded dramatically. Pandu was married twice, once to Kunti and again to Madri. After many years of dominance, Pandu decided to retire to the Himalayas, leaving the kingdom in the care of Dhrutarashtra and his grandfather Bhishma. There was no heir to the throne because neither of the brothers had offspring. So, what happened afterwards?

Dear Children, Bhishma swore such a severe oath for his father. Our parents do not demand such sacrifices from us. We are occasionally requested to perform simple things like help clean the house, complete our assignments on time, or simply spend time with them. Bhishma's story reminds us that we, too, have a duty to our parents. Will you pledge to love and respect your parents and always make them happy?

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