13.154
The going of Bhishma to heaven.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having thus addressed all the Kurus, Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, then became silent; that descendant of Kuru, subduer of enemies, remained so for a moment. (13-154-1)
He maintained himself successively in each yogic concentration, and then the vital airs of that great-souled one, being restrained, ascended upwards. (13-154-2)
This was a marvel among those great souls: Whenever the son of Śantanu removed any arrow from his limbs, it instantly became unwounded because he was endowed with yoga, indeed. (13-154-3)
O king, in a moment, as they watched, he became free of arrows. Seeing him, all, headed by Vāsudeva, along with all those sages—Vyāsa and others—were astonished. (13-154-4)
But the self, restrained by him, indeed, departed from all the abodes, pierced the crown of the head, and ascended to heaven. (13-154-5)
O ruler of men, just like a great meteor, (the energy) emerged from the crown of Bhishma's head, entered the sky, and disappeared in a moment. (13-154-6)
Thus, that kingly hero, the son of Śāntanu and best of kings, then was united with his own people in the other worlds—the upholder of the Bharata lineage. (13-154-7)
Then, having collected much wood and many kinds of fragrances, the great-souled ones—the Pāṇḍavas, Vidura, and Yuyutsu, the Kaurava—built the funeral pyre; the others became mere onlookers. (13-154-8)
But Yudhishthira and Vidura, both of great intellect, covered Bhishma, the son of Ganga and Kaurava, with linen garments and garlands. (13-154-9)
Then Yuyutsu held his excellent umbrella; Bhimasena and Arjuna, both, held the two white chamara-fans; the two sons of Madri, both, at that time, held the head-dress (turban). (13-154-10)
The women took up palm-fans and fanned Bhīṣma, the lord of the Kauravas, who was born of the Kuru lineage, on all sides. (13-154-11)
Then, according to the proper rites, they performed the funeral sacrifice of the great-souled one. The priests offered oblations into the fire, and the singers of the Sāman chanted the Sāman hymns. (13-154-12)
Thereafter, with sandalwood pieces, kāleyaka, kālāgaru and similar perfumes, both superior and inferior, likewise (he honored). (13-154-13)
The kings headed by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, having fully covered the body of the one belonging to Gangā, lit the fire and performed the rites with the leftward (counterclockwise) direction. (13-154-14)
After performing the necessary ceremonies for the foremost of the Kurus, the son of Gaṅgā, the eminent Kurus went to the bank of the Bhāgīrathī, which was frequented by sages. (13-154-15)
Accompanied by Vyāsa, Nārada, Asita, Kṛṣṇa, the women of the Bhāratas, and the assembled citizens. (13-154-16)
Then, the best among the Kṣatriyas and all the people made water offerings according to the injunctions for the great-souled son of Ganga. (13-154-17)
Then Goddess Bhagirathi, after performing the water offering for her son, rose from that water, weeping and overcome with grief. (13-154-18)
Lamenting, he addressed the Kauravas there: "O sinless ones, listen to what is being related by me as it happened." (13-154-19)
He is endowed with royal conduct, wisdom, and noble birth; an honorer of the elders of the Kurus, devoted to his father, and steadfast in his vows. (13-154-20)
He who was not defeated formerly even by Jāmadagnya Rāma, the greatly powerful wielder of divine weapons, has been slain today by Śikhaṇḍin. (13-154-21)
O kings, indeed my heart must be made of stone, for today my heart is torn where I, not seeing my beloved son, (still live). (13-154-22)
He who, having conquered in battle with a single chariot the assembled kings and kṣatriyas at the svayaṁvara in the city of Kāśi, indeed carried off those maidens. (13-154-23)
My mind is not disturbed upon hearing that he, who had no equal in strength anywhere on the earth, was slain by Śikhaṇḍin. (13-154-24)
Jāmadagnya was afflicted in battle at Kurukshetra by the great-souled one, and he was slain by Śikhaṇḍin without much effort. (13-154-25)
Seeing the great river thus lamenting greatly, Dāmodara, the powerful one, then consoled her with gentle words. (13-154-26)
Be comforted, O good lady, do not grieve, O one of auspicious appearance. Your son has attained the highest state, there is no doubt. (13-154-27)
This is a Vasu, one of great splendor, who, due to the fault of a curse, O beautiful one, has attained a human state; you ought not to grieve for him. (13-154-28)
He, this very one, fighting on the battlefield according to the duty of a kṣatriya, was slain by Dhanañjaya; he was not struck down by Śikhaṇḍin. (13-154-29)
Even Indra himself is not capable of slaying Bhishma, the tiger among the Kurus with raised arrows, in the great battle. (13-154-30)
By his own will, your son has gone to heaven, O auspicious-faced one. Even all the gods would not have been able to slay him in battle. (13-154-31)
Therefore, O best of rivers, do not grieve for Arjuna; your son has gone to the Vasus, O goddess—be free from sorrow. (13-154-32)
O great king, thus addressed by Kṛṣṇa and Vyāsa, the chief of rivers, having abandoned her sorrow, indeed descended into her own waters. (13-154-33)
After duly honoring that river, those kings whose faces were blackened, having received her permission, all the rulers of men withdrew. (13-154-34)
