BHISHMA

I opened my eyes by Ganga’s side,
A son of gods, where fate would ride.
A Vasu once, now cast below,
In mortal form, I came to grow. –(1)

My mother whispered ancient hymns,
And taught me laws through dusk and rims.
A prince by blood, a sage by way,
She left me in the light of day. –(2)

My father’s eyes, once bright with pride,
Dimmed by longing none could hide.
He loved again — fair Satyavati,
But bound by love, he turned from me. –(3)

I saw his pain, I saw his plight,
And swore away my birthright.
A crown I dropped for love alone,
My vow eternal, my heart a stone. –(4)

No child I’d sire, no throne I'd seek,
No joy of touch, no love to speak.
The gods above rained flowers fair,
For vows no man would ever dare. –(5)

“Bhishma” they called me — terrible and true,
A warrior's path I would pursue.
And so I stood, the kingdom’s shield,
With oath as sword, and heart concealed. –(6)

I fought for peace, for right, for name,
But kings and queens still played their game.
Three daughters taken, one returned,
Her love denied, her fury burned. –(7)

She came for vengeance, torn and bare,
A soul reborn in Shikhandi's glare.
Yet I upheld my vow the same —
Not even death would shake my frame. –(8)

But not all wounds came from war —
One haunts me still, forevermore.
That fateful court, where silence screamed,
Where dharma bled, where honour dreamed. –(9)

They dragged her there — proud Draupadi,
And staked her pride like gambler’s fee.
I sat with kings, I heard her cry,
And yet I watched, and let it die. –(10)

Dushasana — I should’ve struck him dead,
For what he did, for tears she shed.
But bound by throne, by blind old king,
I let injustice clip its wing. –(11)

O Krishna, Lord, had I been free,
That Hall would not have shamed the Three —
The fire, the queen, the sacred thread…
I carry that guilt on this arrowed bed. –(12)

Then came the war, oh war so vast,
The Kuru line torn by its past.
With duty chained around my will,
I fought though knowing whom I’d kill. –(13)

I faced Arjuna, fierce and free,
And Krishna’s eyes stared into me.
His wheel he raised, his wrath unmasked,
Yet spared me still — no questions asked. –(14)

On arrowed bed I chose to lie,
Beneath the sun and open sky.
My breath held back, my heart still brave,
To wait until the year would wave. –(15)

I taught the Pandav what he must,
To rule with wisdom, guard the just.
Then Vishnu’s names I sang in peace,
And let my soul from body cease. –(16)

I am Bhishma, born of tide,

Whose vow and fate forever tied.
But one regret will ever stay —
That I turned my face that cursed day. –(17)

Not king, not father — but I stood,
And failed a queen, though meant for good.
Now may her cries rise to the sky,
As I close these warrior eyes. –(18)

I gave my crown, my seed, my years,
To shield this throne through storms and spears.
No riches asked, no garlands claimed,
Just duty etched beside my name. –(19)

And now, O Krishna, at Thy feet,
My soul finds rest, my vows complete.
To die before You — gift divine,
Let this last breath be wholly Thine. –(20)