Can you imagine living your whole life just sacrificing, living in a state of selflessness? That was the life of Devavrata, most famously known as Bhishma. Bhishma was a pivotal figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, known for his steadfast commitment to his vows and highly principled way of living.

Raised to be the king of Hastinapur, Bhishma’s story transformed into one of sacrifice and duty as circumstances led him to dedicate his life to serving the kingdom he was born to rule. Bhishma’s oath, the Bhishma Pratigya, was born out of a profound sense of duty, and loyalty a son held for his father.

It all started when Bhishma noticed that his father was sad and depressed; he found out that his father, King Shantanu, was in love with Satyavati, a fisher-woman. However, Satyavati’s father laid down a condition, that he will only allow Satyavati to marry Shantanu if her children be the only inheritors of the throne.

King Shantanu was left heartbroken, torn between his deep love for his son and his affection for Satyavati. Unable to bear his father’s unhappiness, Bhishma ensured King Shantanu’s marriage by taking an oath of celibacy, vowing never to marry or assume the role of king of Hastinapur.

The Bhishma Pratigya was a major turning point in the epic, shaping the future of Hastinapur and paving the way for the Kurukshetra War. Whilst many of us have made sacrifices at some point for the ones we love, Bhishma dedicated his entire life to his vows. The immense personal cost of the Pratigya is hard to fathom, Bhishma never got to experience the joys of marriage or family. The promise also deprived him of his freedoms, since his service to Hastinapur meant that every decision and action throughout his life had to align with his oath.

The Bhishma Pratigya irrevocably tied Bhishma to serve anyone who ascended the throne of Hastinapur, even when the ruler acted unrighteously. This commitment subjected Bhishma to lifetime of suffering and helplessness, as he was often bound by his vow to support rulers whose action conflicted with his own principles and dharma. Though he upheld his duty with unwavering loyalty, the moral dilemmas he faced continually troubled his peace of mind, leaving him in a state of silent grief.

Bhishma’s oath although a remarkable tale of unwavering loyalty and endless sacrifice, leads to an important question of whether sacrifice is always virtuous.