Bhishma Pitamah: A Life of Duty
My sweetest Sunday routine memories as a child include those mandatory morning head baths with soapnut (yes, complete with a few fights and stinging eyes!), followed by watching Mahabharata on Doordarshan. My grandmom loved the show, but she didn't know Hindi. That's where I came in – her self-proclaimed little translator, armed with a limited Hindi vocabulary and boundless enthusiasm. I'll never forget Bhishma Pitamah, his long white beard flowing, voice booming with a seriousness that seemed etched on his face. My translations might not have been perfect, but they were enough to bridge the gap, creating a special connection between my grandmom, the ancient stories, and me. In the Indian epic Mahabharata, Bhishma/Devavrata, known as "Bhishma Pitamah" (Grandfather Bhishma), is a legendary figure. His life is a testament to unwavering duty, the struggle between personal desires and obligation, and the timeless pursuit of righteousness that often demands agonizing c...