Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Happy Makara Sankranti!
This auspicious day holds many divine pastimes, one of which is Bhishmadev’s glorious departure from this world. In the Kurukshetra war, Bhishmadev, a great devotee of Lord Krishna, fought against the Pandavas on behalf of the Kauravas. Though this may seem contradictory, it reveals deeper lessons about surrender and divine will of the Lord.
Bhishmadev chose the Kauravas’ side because he understood Krishna’s heart. Krishna desired to use Bhishmadev as an instrument to teach profound lessons to the world. Just as a mother-in-law may correct her daughter-in-law indirectly by chastising her daughter, Krishna orchestrated this situation to teach all of us lessons.
Here are some key lessons from Bhishmadev for our meditation:
1) Bhishmadev knew his actions would bring criticism, but he followed Krishna’s divine will. This is the essence of complete surrender: acting in alignment with the Lord’s desire, no matter the personal cost.
2) Krishna wanted to relish the rasa of fighting. As Bhishmadev shot arrows at Him, Krishna felt as if He was being showered with rose petals. Their exchange in the Kurukshetra battle exemplifies the unique and deep bond between the Lord and His pure devotee.
3) On the 10th day of the battle, when Bhishmadev’s fierce attack put Arjuna’s life in danger, Krishna, in transcendental anger, lifted a chariot wheel to protect His devotee Arjuna. This moment teaches us to have unwavering faith that Krishna always protects His devotees. Seeing this transcendental act, Bhishmadev laid down his weapons and offered his pranams, saying, “This is the form I wished to see— Rathangapani!”
After the war, Yudhishthira Maharaj was deeply burdened with guilt. Also Krishna, understanding that Bhishmadev had been misunderstood by the world, decided to glorify him. So He instructed the Pandavas to accompany Him to see Bhishmadev, who was lying on the bed of arrows. When they arrived, Yudhishthira Maharaj asked many questions on topics like raja-dharma, paro-dharma, and more. Bhishmadev responded beautifully, imparting great wisdom to Yudhishthira Maharaj and relieved his guilt and answered all his questions.
Bhishmadev then glorified Krishna while keeping his mind fixed on the Lord’s lotus face. In this meditation, he departed from his body on Makara Sankranti, during Uttarayana, the auspicious northward movement of the sun.
The greatest lesson from Bhishmadev is that Krishna consciousness rises above all circumstances, including physical and mental pain, and even death itself. By fixing one’s mind on the Lord’s lotus feet, one gains immense strength to face challenges and one experiences transcendental joy. This elevated state of consciousness can be achieved through the sincere chanting of the holy names of the Lord regularly.
On this Makara Sankranti, let us remember Bhishmadev and his unwavering bhakti, and pray that we imbibe his lessons to deepen our Krishna consciousness.
Your servant,
Satya Sara das