Bhishm (17)--Notable Mortals Who Lived Through Most of the Four Eras

(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

Opening Note : This write-up in installments, is intended to drive home the sole point, hitherto ignored by the historians with utter impunity, that Ramayan and Mahabharat periods were only couple of years apart, almost extending into each other. The study is based on the evidences from 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Uppuranas, along with other Ancient Indian scriptures. Here is the list of at least 106 notable personalities who were alive and present in these two epic periods and even beyond and prior to these periods.  I am confident that one day this truth will have to be accepted by savants of history and general public interested in the study of Ancient India.

Here Bhishm, one among 116 mortals, who found references in the texts of  Mahabharat & Puranas.  A careful, meticulous and sincere study of these ancient literary composition reveals that most of such notables not merely find references in, but they actively interacted with the other people living through periods of Ramayan & Mahabharat.

 

17. Bhishm—Bhishm's name in his boyhood was Devvrat. He was the eighth son of Gangadevi and Shantanu, a king of the Lunar dynasty in the lineage of Atri.

At the onset of Kalp, Pulastay rishi, one of the manasputras of Brahma, and grandfather of Ravan, narrated Padam Puran to Bhishm at Gangadwar.[1] Pulastay taught Bhishm the importance and greatness of all the holy places of Bharat Varsh. From then onwards Pulastay is called the Guru of Bhishm also.[2]

Bhishm Pitamah

Gangadevi married Shantanu on condition that whatever she did the King would not ask any question. She threw her seven children in river Ganga but when eighth was born the king requested her not to throw this child in the river. Ganga immediately left Shantanu and went to the ashram of Vasisth in the forest with her infant. This child named Devvrat was brought up by Vasisth up to the age of 32 years and was taught all branches of knowledge. After completion of education, Ganga handed him over to his father Shantanu.[3]

Bhishm refers to the stories of Shri Ram, Dashrath, Lakshman, Sita, Harishchander and Rohit etc. in reference to worry by his father Shantanu, after hearing the condition from Dashraj, father of Satyavati, that the son of Satyavati will be the heir apparent for the throne after Shantanu.[4]

Parshuram and Bhishm fought for 23 days on disagreement about the marriage of Bhishm with Amba.[5] Amba was allowed by Bhishm to marry her lover King Salva, but after Salva rejected her, she returned to Bhishm. Bhishm too did not accept her. Parshuram pleaded with Bhishm on behalf of Amba, but he refused to marry her owing to his pledge to his father.[6] Bhishm offered his respect and devotion and prepared himself to bear the consequences of the wrath of his guru Parshuram.[7]

He died at the age of 135 years[8] on the deathbed of arrows at the conclusion of Mahabharat.

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[1] Padam Puran, Shrishti Khand, Adhyay Bhishm aur Pulastay Samvad.

[2] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 82.

[3] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 95-100.

[4] Devibhagvat, Skandh 2, Adhyay 5.

[5] Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, by Jayadayal Goyandka, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Second edition 1973, English version. p.758.

Hindu Samskriti Ank, Kalyan, Gita Press, Gorakhpur p. 829.

[6] Mahabharat, Udyog Parv, Adhyay 178.

[7] Mahabharat, Udyog Parv, Adhyay 178, Shlok 49-50.

[8] Sant Ank, Kalyan, Gita Press, Gorakhpur. p. 315.

 

 

Bhim (16)--Notable Mortals Who Lived Through Most of the Four Eras

(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

Opening Note : This write-up in installments, is intended to drive home the sole point, hitherto ignored by the historians with utter impunity, that Ramayan and Mahabharat periods were only couple of years apart, almost extending into each other. The study is based on the evidences from 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Uppuranas, along with other Ancient Indian scriptures. Here is the list of at least 106 notable personalities who were alive and present in these two epic periods and even beyond and prior to these periods.  I am confident that one day this truth will have to be accepted by savants of history and general public interested in the study of Ancient India.

Here Bhim, one among 116 mortals, who found references in the texts of  Mahabharat & Puranas.  A careful, meticulous and sincere study of these ancient literary composition reveals that most of such notables not merely find references in, but they actively interacted with the other people living through periods of Ramayan & Mahabharat.

 

16. Bhim—Also known as Bhimsen, he was one of the five Pandavas.

Kunti chanted a mantra of Vayudev (the wind-god) which was given to her by Durvasa and the consequence was the birth of Bhim. Hence he is called Vayu-putra (son of the wind-god). At the time of his birth a celestial voice announced that the boy would grow up to be the strongest among the strong.[1]

Bhim

Once Bhim entered Kadalivan where he found a big but old vanar was obstructing his path with his tail. Bhim dared him to get out of his way. Hanuman awoke from his slumber and raised his tail with a terrific sound. In the clash that ensued between Hanuman and Bhim the former came out victorious. Hanuman, however, congratulated Bhim and directed him on the path to the Saugandhik forest from where he wanted to bring special flowers. The forest was being guarded by the Rakshasas called Krodhavasa. Killing them he brought the flowers, and after that stayed in the Badarikashram with his brothers and Panchali.[2]

Not knowing that he is talking face to face with Hanuman, Bhim introduced himself as the brother of Hanuman. Bhim boasts that he could also have crossed the ocean and carried the mountain like Hanuman. Hanuman reveals his true identity and admits himself as his brother, both being Vayu-putras.[3] Bhim requested Hanuman to display his magnified form which he took at the time of crossing the ocean. When Hanuman displayed his form, Bhim expressed his surprise at the need for Shri Ram to defeat and kill Ravan, when Hanuman could have done it single-handed on his behalf.[4]

On their return to Hastinapur the Pandavas took shelter in the palace built by architect Maiy. There Maiy, father of Mandodri, also presented a magnificent club to Bhim.[5]

While Pandavas were on exile, Arjun had gone to forest for the penance done to secure blessings of Shiv for getting Pashupatastra. The rest of the brothers continued their journey northward crossing various mountain peaks, and still walking they reached Kubera's Alakapuri when a Yaksh called Maniman obstructed their progress. Bhim killed Maniman and the other Yakshas who rushed to his support. Finally Kuber himself saw Bhim and blessed the Pandavas. While they were returning from Kubera's palace Bhim was caught by a python. It was Nahush transformed into a python on account of a curse. Bhim killed it and it assumed its original form as King Nahush.[6] By this time Arjun had obtained Pasupatastra from Shiv and returned to his brothers. After that Pandavas continued their journey in the forest.

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[1] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 122, Shlok 14-15.

[2] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 146-147, 152.

[3] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 147, Shlok 13. Adhyay 151, Shlok 15.

[4] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 150.

[5] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Adhyay 3, Shlok 18-20.

[6] Mahabharat, Udyog Parv, Adhyay 17; Van Parv, Adhyay 179; Shanti Parv, Adhyay 342.

 

 

Bhardwaj (15)--Notable Mortals Who Lived Through Most of the Four Eras

(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

Opening Note : This write-up in installments, is intended to drive home the sole point, hitherto ignored by the historians with utter impunity, that Ramayan and Mahabharat periods were only couple of years apart, almost extending into each other. The study is based on the evidences from 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Uppuranas, along with other Ancient Indian scriptures. Here is the list of at least 106 notable personalities who were alive and present in these two epic periods and even beyond and prior to these periods.  I am confident that one day this truth will have to be accepted by savants of history and general public interested in the study of Ancient India.

Here Bhardwaj, one among 116 mortals, who found references in the texts of  Ramayan, Mahabharat, Vedas & Puranas.  A careful, meticulous and sincere study of these ancient literary composition reveals that most of such notables not merely find references in, but they actively interacted with the other people living through periods of Ramayan & Mahabharat.

 

 

15. Bhardwaj—He was Angiragotriya.[1] Son of Utthay and brought up by Brihaspati. He was one of the Saptrishis of Vaivasvat Manvantar.

The sixth mandal of Rig Ved contains the hymns of Bhardwaj.

Bhardwaj taught Vaaman Vedas and manners after Upnayan sanskar. It was at the behest of Bhardwaj that Vaaman went to Bali and asked for the three steps of land as offerings to Brahman.[2]

Bhardwaj Rishi

He made the story of Ramayan popular among masses. He fondly listened to the story of Shri Ram from the lips of Yagyavalkay. One of his daughters was married to Yagyavalkay. His second daughter Daivavarshini was married to Vishrava, of whom she bore Kuber.[3] Ravan was also son of Vishrava.

He obtained knowledge of Dhanurved (science of Archery) from Swayambhuv Brahma.[4] Bhardwaj discoursed on Dhanurveda, and Raajshashtra (politics). Shri Ram visited his ashram immediately after exile. He guided Shri Ram to Chitrakut.[5] Historically this period aligns the overlapping period of Treta-Dwapar Yug.[6]

He is referred to as Dhirghjivitam. He asked for the prolongation of his age from Indra for the forth time but Indra declined it very reverently with philosophic instructions to him.[7]

He came from North to visit and greet Shri Ram on his arrival to Ayodhya from exile.[8] He was also present at Valmiki ashram when Sita disappeared in yogagni and went down to rasatal.[9]

This sage took part in a birthday celebrations of Arjun.[10] Arjun met Bhardwaj muni at his ashram situated in south near the banks of Mahanadi at Kalhasti hilltop and listened to the stories of Shiv-Parvati, Agastay rishi etc. It came to pass a couple of years after Pandavas got the area of Khandavprasth from Dhritrashtra, after Pandavas married Draupadi. Arjun was on the journey of all the Tirthas as he happened to break the agreement about Draupadi. It was agreed among Pandavas that she will reside for full one year with each, and during that period of one year others will not even gaze at Draupadi.[11]

He was the guru[12] and father[13] of Acharya Dron from Ghritachi apsara.[14]

In the Mahabharat battle an effort was made by Bhardwaj and others to dissuade Dron from the battle. But it was in vain.[15]

He was one of the many eminent and illustrious sages present at the Vaasudev Yagya performed by Shri Krishan and Balram.[16]

He was among the sages who once went to Dwarka and cursed Saamb.[17]

He was appointed by Raja Indraduman, who himself lived through all the four Yugas, as Ritwik for Shantikarma when the temple of Shri Jaggannath, containing idols of Shri Krishan, Balram and Subhadra, was being erected. Bhardwaj muni did pran-pratishtha of idols in the month of Vaishakh Shukal Paksh Ashtami on the auspicious day of Thursday.[18]

In Narsinh Puran Bhardwaj narrates the story of Sahsraneek to Soot about the incarnations of Vishnu. Sahsraneek was the fourth of the generation from Abhimanyu.[19]

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[1] Vedkatha Ank, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p 30 & 240.

[2] Kurm Puran, Adhyay 16, Shlok 44, 48.

[3] Sant Ank, Kalyan, Gita Press, Gorakhpur. p. 217.

Puranic Encyclopedia, Vettam Mani, see Bharadvaja II (4).

[4] Mahabharat, Shantiparv, Adhyay 210, Shlok 21.

[5] Valmiki Ramayan, Baal Kand, Sarg 1, Shlok 30-31; Ayodhya Kand, Sarg 54, Shlok 38-43.

[6]Article Mahrishi Bhardwaj by Acharya Durgacharan Shukal, Vedkatha Ank, reference Aitraiya Aaranyak 1/2/2, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p. 391.

[7] Vedkatha Ank, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p. 16, ref. Taitriya Aranayak; p. 391, ref. Taitriya Brahman 3/10/11.

[8] Valmiki Ramayan, Uttar Kand, Sarg 1, Shlok 5-6.

[9] Valmiki Ramayan, Uttar Kand, Sarg 96, Shlok 4.

[10] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 122, Shlok 57.

[11] Skand Puran, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Vaishnav Khand: Bhumi Varaha Khand, Adhyay 68-69.

[12] Hindu Sanskriti Ank, Kalyan. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p. 1.

[13] Hindu Sanskriti Ank, Kalyan. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p 251.

[14] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 129, Shlok 35, 37-38.

[15] Mahabharat, Dron Parv, Adhyay 190, Shlok 33-36.

[16] Bhagvat Puran, Skandh 10, Adhyay 84, Shlok 3-5.

[17] Puranic Encyclopedia, Vettam Mani, see Bharadvaja II (3).

[18] Skand Puran, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Vaishnav Khand: Uttkal Khand, Adhyay 87.

[19] Narsinh Puran, Adhyay 29 & 32.