Bhishma's Teachings Begin
“Yudhishthira visits Bhishma on his bed of arrows, and the grand patriarch begins to impart his profound wisdom on governance, dharma, and the duties of a king.”
Contains: philosophical content, mature themes
Story Summary
After his coronation, Yudhishthira knows that accepting kingship is only the beginning—he must learn how to rule, how to govern, how to serve. Following Krishna's guidance, he journeys to the battlefield of Kurukshetra to visit Bhishma, the grand patriarch who lies on his bed of arrows, waiting for the auspicious time to die. Bhishma, who fell in battle but chose to remain alive until Uttarayana, is a repository of knowledge, a wise teacher, a guide who has lived long and learned much. Yudhishthira approaches with reverence, with eagerness, with the recognition that he needs wisdom to fulfill his duty. Bhishma, seeing the new king's sincerity and need, is ready to teach. The grand patriarch begins to impart his wisdom, answering Yudhishthira's questions about governance, about dharma, about the duties of a king. The teachings begin—profound, philosophical, comprehensive. This story marks the beginning of one of the most extensive philosophical discourses in the Mahabharata, setting the stage for the detailed teachings on rajadharma (duties of a king), apaddharma (conduct during adversity), and moksha-dharma (path to liberation) that will follow in Stories 12.5-12.7.