Bheeshma Sthuthi

Bheeshma Sthuthi
(The prayer of Bheeshma)

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(This great prayer occurs in the great epic Mahabharatha. The Grand old man old man of Mahabharatha is Bheeshma, the son of King Santhanu and the grand father of Pandavas and Kouravas. Since he lived with Drithareashtra, he decided to join the war on the side of the Kouravas. Lord Krishna who refused to participate in the war took an oath that he would not take part in the war but be a charioteer to Arjuna. He also took an oath that he will never raise any weapon during the war. Bheeshma who is a great devotee of Krishna and also a great warrior took an oath that he will make Lord Krishna take up his weapon. So he went on sending sharp arrows at Arjuna and Lord Krishna. At a particular time Lord Krishna felt that Arjuna is loosing the war against Bheeshma. So unable to bear this he took his holy wheel and jumped at Bheeshma. Bheeshma explains this in this prayer as done due to his love towards his great devotee. )

Ithi mathir Upakalpithaa vithrushnaa,
Bhagawathe sathwatha pungave vibhoomni,
Swasukhamupagathe kwichidwiharthu,
Prakruthimupeeyushiyad bhava pravahaa. 1

That Brhamam which is sunk within itself,
Some times , with an interest to play,
Takes some form of nature leading.
To the effulgent tide of Samsara,
And I believe it has taken the form ,
Of this great one of the clan of Yadus,
And I submit it to him, my self ,
Without any interests or desires.

Tribhuvana kamanam, thamala varnam,
Ravi kara gowrambharam Dhandaane,
Vapuralakakulavruthaana naabhjam,
Vijya sakhe rathirasthu metanavadhya. 2

Oh friend of Arjuna, let my mind,
Attach without any expectations to you,
Who is prettiest in all three worlds,
Who is blue coloured like Thamala,
Who wears dresses that are yellow,
Similar to the shine of the early sun,
And who has a pretty lotus like face,
That is hidden by the pretty tresses,
Which flow from the top of his forehead.

Yudhi thuragarajo vidhumra vishya,
Khachaluleetha srama varyalam kruthasye,
Mama nisithasasairvibhidhyamana,
Thwachi vilasad kavachetasthu Krishna athma. 3

Let my mind and soul rest in that Krishna,
Who is covered by the dust raised by hooves of horses,
Whose hair uncontrollably moves here and there,
Whose lotus like face is covered by sweat of exertion,
Whose body has been pierced by my sharp arrows,
And whose armour shines with the spread of blood.

Sapadi sakhivaco nisamya madhye,
Nija parayor balayo radham nivesya,
Sthithavathi para sainikayurakshana,
Hruthavathi Partha sakhe rather mamasthu. 4

Let my heart firmly stay with the friend of Arjuna,
Who positioned the chariot in between armies,
As per the request made by Arjuna.
And killed all the enemies just by his glance.

Vyava hitha prathanaamukham nireekshya,
Swajanavadha dwimukhadya dosha budhya,
Kumathimaharadathma vidhyayaa,
Scharanarathi paramasya thasya me asthu. 5

Let my mind rest firmly on the divine one,
Who taught the science of soul to Arjuna,
Whose deluded mind lead him to take recourse,
To the argument that he would be killing his own people.

SWanigama mapahaya math prathigna,
Mruthamadhi karthumavaplutho radhastha,
Drutha radhacharanotabhyachalad gur-
Haririva hanthumibham gadothareeyam. 6

Not caring for his oath but trying to make my oath right,
He took a decision to kill me and jumped from the Charriot,
Like a Lion rushing to kill an elephant, along with his Chakra,
Making the earth shake unknowingly and slipped his upper cloth down.

Sithavishakhahatho visirna damsa,
Kshathaja pariplutha aatha thayino may,
Prasabhamabhisasara madwadhartham ,
SA bhavathu may Bhagawan gather Mukunda. 7

His armour being punctured by my sharp arrows,
And with his bleeding wounds , he jumped to kill me,
As he tried to protect a devotee .
And make the oath of another devotee come true
Showing his partiality to his devotees twice,
And let that Lord Mukunda be my refuge.

Vijaya radha kutumba aathathoithre ,
Dyatha haya rasminee thachreye kshaneeye,
Bhagawathi rathirasthu may mu moorsho-,
Ryahamiva nireekshya hathaa gathaa swaroopam. 8

Vowing to protect the chariot and family of Arjuna,
And holding in his hand the whip to control the horses,
Is the God who steals the mind of onlookers,
And the one who grants them a place in his heaven ,
To all those who see him and die there.

Lalitha gathi vilasavadhguhaasa-,
Pranaya nireekshana kalpi thoru maanaa,
Krutha manu krutha vathya unmaa daandhaa,
Prakruthi magan kila yasya gopa vadhwa. 9

For have not the gopa maidens , blinded by love,
Towards him, who has vary pretty gait,
Very bewitching smile and movements ,
That indicates love towards them,
Show the great respect to him,
And reached the salvation of his heaven.

Muni gana nrupa varya sangulteantha-,
Sadasee Yudhishtra raja soya yeshaam,
Arhanamupapeda eekshaneeyo,
Mama drusi gochara yesha aaviraathma. 10

In the Rajasooya performed by Yudishtra,
In the assembly of great kings and sages,
You were worshipped by the entire world,
And your coming under my sight ,
Is indeed a matter of great luck to me.

Thami mama hamajam sareerabhaajaam ,
Hrudhi hrudhi dheesthitha mathma kalpithaanaam,
Prathi drusamiva naika dharkamevam,
Samadhi gatho ta smidhoothabhedha moham. 11

After divesting myself of my ignorance due to desire and differentiation,
I have now realized that Lord Krishna shines in the heart of all beings,
Similar to the Sun who is spread in the eyes of all beings of earth,
But appears as different to each according to his experience,
And having realized this truth , I have attained fulfillment.

Note:- A very good translation along with commentary for this prayer is available in
www.ahobilavalli.org/b_s.pdf