Was Bhishma Pitamah Wrong? The Truth Mahabharata Reveals

Bhishma Pitamah was one of the most wise warriors in the Mahabharata, but he sided with the Kauravas when the epic battle started. He knew the importance of dharma, respected Lord Krishna, and realized the repercussions of the war. So why did he choose to fight on behalf of the Kauravas who had actions that he sometimes couldn’t justify? This creates a dilemma whether an oath taken out of one’s sense of duty can turn into a blunder.




Devavrata, known in history as Bhishma, was born as the son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga. In order to make it possible for his father to marry Satyavati, Devavrata renounced his right to the throne. He even went to the extent of taking an oath of celibacy to ensure that none of his offspring would ever fight for the kingdom. Devavrata came to be known as Bhishma for his sacrifice. However, it also raised a question about whether he saved the happiness of his father at the expense of the future of the kingdom.





One of the most disturbing passages of the Mahabharata comes when Draupadi enters the courtroom after the dice game. She asks Yudhishthira whether he had the authority to wager her life after losing his own. Bhishma finds it difficult to give a clear answer because dharma cannot always be determined. However, his hesitation does not prevent him from failing to give Draupadi any conclusive protection. This episode is seen by many as the harshest critique of Bhishma. His wisdom made his words significant; however, he could have done more at this point.

With the Kurukshetra War inevitable, Bhishma took up the arms of the Kauravas even though he had love for the Pandavas. This was due to the lifelong devotion of Bhishma towards the Kuru throne and the nature of his status in the kingdom. Bhishma may not have seen all the acts of Duryodhana as righteous, yet he chose to take the lead in the Kaurava army. This is important because one does not need to agree with all the actions of the side he supports. However, the question of accountability arises.

Bhishma was no ordinary member of the royal family. He was a statesman who was well-versed in statecraft, an old man whose opinions were held in high regard, and a great warrior of his generation. Bhishma had the power to sway kings and princes with his words. Would he have been able to do anything to stop the war or to make Duryodhana reconsider his decisions? There is no way of knowing if a different choice from his side would have led to the same outcome. Nevertheless, his status allowed him chances that many others did not have.

Labeling Bhishma either right or wrong fails to account for the complexities of his character. Indeed, he did give up everything, he did serve his kingdom well, and he did have the greatest of wisdoms. However, his commitment to duty landed him in a place where he had to do things that were morally compromising. It is not hard to judge the choices that he made regarding Draupadi's disrobing and fighting for Kauravas. The main point to remember in all this is not that promises mean nothing, but they should never blind us to the realities of injustice.


Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP