Bhishma

Arjuna’s revered grandfather, arrayed against him in the Kaurava ranks at Kurukshetra.

Overview

Bhishma is the elder of the royal clan whom Arjuna grew up with — the grandsire he loved as a child. At Kurukshetra he is on the opposing side, fighting for the Kauravas. Seeing him in the enemy ranks is one of the triggers for Arjuna’s collapse in chapter 1: to fight means to kill the grandfather Arjuna loves.

Related concepts and entities

• Beloved grandfather of arjuna
• On the Kaurava side at kurukshetra
• Presence in the enemy ranks contributes to Arjuna’s karpanya

In the Gita

• 01-summary — seen in the opposing ranks at Kurukshetra.

Lecture evidence

• Ep. 1 [39:29]: Bhishma, Arjuna’s favorite grandsire, is there to fight against him.