Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.22.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBhīṣmadeva Remains Firm in His Vow
“Bhīṣmadeva was the foremost of all warriors. When he defeated Lord Paraśurāma in a fight, Lord Paraśurāma was very satisfied with him. By the semen of Śāntanu in the womb of Satyavatī, the daughter of a fisherman, Citrāṅgada took birth.”
What the purport teaches
- Bhīṣmadeva was the foremost of all warriors. He defeated Paraśurāma, his military spiritual master, who was pleased with him.
- Ambā sought Paraśurāma’s help after Bhīṣmadeva refused to marry her because of his vow of brahmacarya. Paraśurāma instructed him to marry her and fought him when he refused.
- Śāntanu and Satyavatī had a son named Citrāṅgada. Satyavatī was the daughter of Uparicara Vasu and Matsyagarbhā, and she was later raised by a fisherman.
Try this today
Recall one commitment you have made and take one concrete step to keep it today.
Ask yourself
What does Bhīṣmadeva’s refusal to abandon his vow invite me to consider about my own commitments?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.