Why Did Bhishma Want Arjuna to Kill Him?

In the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, the character Bhishma held a revered place as a great warrior and king. However, by the events of the war, his position had become untenable. Bhishma realized that he had outlived his usefulness and had even chosen the side of adharma, thus making him a significant liability for the Pandava side led by Yudhishthira.

Understanding Bhishma's Motivation

Bhishma knew that he could not be easily killed by any ordinary warrior due to his divine protection. He also recognized the presence of a divine entity among the Pandavas, in the form of Arjuna, who was an incarnation of Narayana and hence not bound by the same limitations as ordinary warriors. In a scene where Bhishma speaks to Yudhishthira, he acknowledges the heavy burden of his actions. Bhishma says:

"O great king! Having thought in this way Devavrata your mighty-armed father addressed these words to the Pandava who was near him. 'O Yudhishthira! O immensely wise one! O one who is knowledgeable in all the sacred texts! O son! Listen to my words. They are about attaining dharma and heaven. O son! O descendant of the Bharata lineage! I am extremely disgusted with this body of mine. I have spent a lot of time in slaying a large number of beings in battle. Therefore place Partha at the forefront with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas. If you wish to do that which brings me pleasure make endeavours to kill me.'

Bhishma's decision to accept Arjuna's role in his death was not one of want, but necessity. He recognized that his continued existence was a risk to the dharma and the peace of the world. The Dharma or righteousness called for his end, and Bhishma, being deeply learned, was aware of the divine prophecies and his own karma.

The Divine Prophecy and Bhishma's Strategy

Years earlier, during the Parshurama-Bhishma battle, a divine declaration predicted that only Arjuna, the incarnation of Nara, would be able to defeat Bhishma. This divine ordination left Parshurama no choice but to withdraw from the battle. Thus, it was inevitable that Bhishma would face his end at the hands of Arjuna.

Bhishma strategized to ensure a less violent end for himself, knowing that directly engaging Arjuna would be fruitless due to Arjuna's divine status. He instructed Yudhishthira to have Shikhandi lead the attack, allowing Arjuna to shoot from behind to avoid Bhishma's defenses. Bhishma's reasoning was clearly explained in another excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita:

“Also years ago when the Parshurama- Bhishma battle takes place itself there is a divine declaration that only Bhagawan Nara who shall be reborn as Arjuna will kill Bhishma. This is why Parashurama withdraws from the battle.”

By accepting his fate, Bhishma showed tremendous wisdom and understanding of higher forces beyond mere mortal actions. His decision to invite Arjuna to defeat him was a calculated move to fulfill his cosmic duty without causing unnecessary violence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bhishma's desire for Arjuna to kill him was a deeply rooted understanding of dharma, karma, and divine prophecy. By accepting his end in this manner, Bhishma ensured a peaceful resolution to his contradictory role in the war. This decision demonstrates the complex interplay of personal and cosmic forces in the ancient Indian epics, emphasizing the importance of adhering to one's dharma even in the most challenging circumstances.