KARMA

fate

–verb (used with object)

to predetermine, as by the decree of fate; destine (used in the passive)

Also read : It is Written !

Ramayana documents the “Surya” dynasty. Mahabaratha is about the lunar dynasty.

Bhishma was born in Lunar dynasty to King Shantanu and Mother Ganga (Ganges) .

Bhishma’s birth to his parents was due to the actions of the father, mother and son in their previous incarnations.

As outlined below:

King Shantanu (King Mahabhishek in previous life) and Ganga Devi

Lord Brahma was holding court in his heavenly abode. Many Rishis and kings including King Mahabhishek were present in the court. As mother of all rivers, Ganga entered the court, her dress was slightly displaced due to a breeze. When rest of the audience in the court turned their heads away in respect , King Mhabhishek failed to do so.

Seeing this, Lord Brahma was furious enough to curse King Mahabhishek. “You will be born as a human being. The same Ganga whom you admired will become your wife . And when she acts in such a way to displease you during your human incarnation, you will be inclined to remove her from the status of a wife.

Thus the curse will cease to be applicable and you will be re occupy your status in heavens.”

Due to Brahma’s curse, King Mahabhishek was born to King Pradheepan as a human being. He was named Shanthanu. After Pradheepan’s period, Shantanu took up the reings of the kingdom. He ruled from Hastinapura.

Bhishma *Ashta Vasus (in previous incarnation)

The eight vasus (elemental dieties, representing the eight forces -fire, earth, wind etc..) along with their wives were enjoying themselves in the forest of ‘Meru’ when one of the wives spotted a beautiful cow. The cow belonged to sage Vashsihta and whoever drinks her milk will live as youths for long.

She wanted the cow for her and asked her husband Prabhasan to get it for her. Prabhasan, blinded by his wife’s pleading went to get the cow for her, ignoring the fact that Sage vashista was infamous for his fury and ferocity of his curses.

Prabhassan , accompanied by other seven vasus got hold of the cow ( nandhini) and its calf.

Later when sage Vashista returned to his ashram, and found his cow missing, he raged with anger. He found out about the vasus and their action. He cursed them with all his might. He cursed them all to be born as human beings!

Upon hearing about the curse of sage Vashisht, the eight Vasus came pleading to him. Vasishta was in no mood to listen to them. But with their persistent pleading he finally agreed to relax the terms of his curse.

Since the curse has already been made, it will be implemented. But as soon as they are born as human beings, their curse will be considered as completed and they can return back to their heavenly lives.

But Prabhasan who took lead in capturing the cow nandhini will live long as human being on earth. And as a retribution , he will never be interested in women duringhis tenure as a human being.

After managing to get the curse relaxed from its stricter terms, the Vasus happened to meet Ganaga who was returning from the court of Brahma on the way. Seeing their worried faces, she enquired about the reason and came to know of the whole story.

They also told her that they don’t want to be born to human being. If at all the ywould be born as human beings, they would prefer to be born to her.

Ganga finally agreed to their pleadings and agreed to be their mother. The Vasus also laid out the following preferences:

• They would prefer to have king Shanthanu as their father.
• As soon as they are born, the mother would throw them in the river thus enabling them to be relieved of their curses.

Ganga devi accepted their requests but she said she would prefer at least one child to be left to live on earth.

The Vasus suggested that each one of them would offer a quarter of their powers so that she can give brith to a child having the powers of all of them and that child would be left to live on earth. And the child would be a Brahmachari (Bachelor) , thus satisfying Vashista’s curse.

Through a complex intertwining maze of curses and remedies, the stage was set for the birth of Bhishma as son of Shantanu and River Ganga.