Bhishma — On The Bed Of Arrows
Bhishma lies on the bed of arrows he had chosen for himself. As long as he stood at the head of the army, the war could not move forward. Arjuna would not strike him down. The battle would continue without end. Bhishma himself had shown them the way — that he could be brought down only if Shikhandi stood before him, for he would not raise weapons against one who had once been Amba, whose life had been broken by him long ago. The arrows hold him in place. The body does not resist them. When Arjuna draws water from the earth and offers it to him, he drinks. The coolness settles through him and carries him, for a brief moment, away from the field — back to the river, to his mother, to a time before vows and kingdoms. The war does not pause. Command has passed. Men come to him, speak of the battle, receive his blessing, and return. Drona Drona comes after taking command. He speaks of resistance, of Duryodhana’s impatience, and of the need to turn the war. He has given ...