Bhishma: 14 Questions about the Mahabharata Hero Answered

Bhishma is the most long-standing character in the Mahabharata. He is the eighth son of Ganga, the divine river goddess, and Shantanu the king of Hastinapur.

Bhishma’s original name is Devavrata. During his sixteenth year, he takes a lifelong oath of celibacy in order to ensure that his father can wed the fisher princess, Satyavati.

He later becomes the patriarch and guardian of the Kuru throne, guiding his half-brothers Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya through their reigns before advising P...