MB07-Bhishma’s Achilles heel!

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As promised to the Kauravas, Bhishma continued to wreak havoc on the Pandava army day in and day out. Thousands of soldiers and great warriors on the Pandava side were killed by raging Bhishma.

But that did not satisfy the Kauravas. They were more interested in the death of their archrivals namely the Pandavas. They felt that Bhishma was being a bit too lenient towards the Pandavas.

Duryodhana was not too happy with this soft approach of Bhishma. He discussed this issue with his brothers and his friend Karna. Karna suggested that Bhishma should be asked to step down and the mantle be given to himself instead. He promised Duryodhana that he would kill all the Pandavas, given a chance. But he said that he did not want to do that when Bhishma was in the lead.

Karna had his own reasons why he disliked Bhishma. Bhishma never accepted Karna as belonging to a royal family, something that hurt Karna a lot. Even before the war started, Krishna tried to take advantage of this weakness of Karna to woo him to the Pandava side.

Krishna met Karna privately and told him that he would never be accepted by Bhishma and it was better he switched the sides or at least stay neutral in the war.

But Karna was a great friend of Duryodhana. He felt greatly indebted to all the favors showered on him by Duryodhana. He could never betray him. Karna was prepared to die for his sake.

Having consulted his brothers and his close supporters, Duryodhana wanted to discuss these issues with Bhishma. He had a frank talk with Bhishma and he expressed his unhappiness about Bhishma being partial to the Pandavas. He slighted him in such a way that the old man Bhishma was quite upset.

Bhishma denied the charges of partiality. He vowed that he would either kill everyone on the Pandava side or he himself get killed. The only exception he said, was that he would never attack Shikandi – a warrior from the Pandava side.


Bhishma explained to Duryodhana why he was avoiding Shikandi. He went in great detail into the past of Shikandi and reasons why he does not want to fight him.

Duryodhana anticipated trouble due this stand of Bhishma. Not that Shikandi was any match for Bhishma, but Duryodhana was afraid that the Pandas may use Shikandi to slay Bhishma since Bhishma would never retaliate to Shikandi. So, he ordered all the warriors on his side to protect Bhishma and ensure that no direct encounter happened between Bhishma and Shikandi.

On the other side, Pandavas also came to know of this and they feared that the Kauravas might eliminate Shikandi. So, they provided him all protection.

In Greek Mythology there was an invincible warrior by name Achilles. Apparently, his mother dipped Achilles in ambrosia to make him immortal. But as fate would have it, Achilles foot happened to stay outside Ambrosia. And that became his weak point. Finally, he was killed by an arrow shot at his heel. And so goes the adage.

Was Shikandi going to be the Achilles heel of Bhishma? Bhishma, who was proud of being invincible by anyone, why was he avoiding Shikandi? Was he afraid of him? Or were there other reasons for avoiding him? Afterall, who was this Shikandi? Why was he so important?

This intriguing character of Mahabharata had a very sad story to tell. Let us discuss that in the next episode.

That was Mahabharata episode 07

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Based on the 5000 year old Indian Epic namely Mahabharata. © Dr.King  2019.