Arjuna and Bhishma - The Night Before Their Battle

The guards knew better than to stop the lone figure slipping through the Kaurava camp. Even enemies recognized Arjuna's silhouette.

Bhishma was waiting, as if he knew. Perhaps he did.

Arjuna: "Grandfather."

Arjuna touched his feet.

Bhishma: "Rise, child. We are past such formalities. Tomorrow we try to kill each other."

Arjuna: "That's why I'm here."

Bhishma gestured to a seat. His tent was simple for a commander—a cot, a lamp, his bow Vijaya resting against the wall.

Bhishma: "You want to know how to defeat me."

Arjuna: "Yes."

Bhishma: "And you expect me to tell you?"

Arjuna: "I expect nothing. I hope."

Bhishma laughed—a tired, genuine sound.

Bhishma: "You were always my favorite, you know. Not because you were the best archer, though you were. Because you had humility alongside your skill. Duryodhana has skill too. But he has no humility, and so his skill corrupts into arrogance."

Arjuna: "Grandfather, the war—"

Bhishma: "Will be terrible. I know. I've seen many wars. This one will be the worst because it's the most unnecessary. Every death tomorrow could have been prevented by five villages and a little dignity."

Arjuna: "Then why fight? Why not step aside?"

Bhishma: "Because I made a vow. To serve the throne of Hastinapura. Not the person on it—the throne itself. If I break that vow, I am nothing. And a man who is nothing cannot die well."

Arjuna: "But you're serving adharma."

Bhishma: "I am serving my word. My word was given before the adharma began. I cannot unknow what I promised. This is the tragedy of long life, Arjuna. We make vows in youth, when everything seems simple. We spend our old age paying for that simplicity."

Arjuna: "So you'll die for a vow you regret?"

Bhishma: "I'll die for a vow I made. Whether I regret it is irrelevant. A vow is not a feeling. It's a choice that continues to choose itself, long after the reasons for it have faded."

Arjuna: "How do I defeat you?"

Bhishma met his eyes.

Bhishma: "You know the answer. You've known it since you came here."

Arjuna: "Shikhandi."

Bhishma: "Shikhandi. I cannot raise weapons against one who was born a woman. Amba. In another life, she was Amba, and I wronged her. Now she has returned to end me. It is fitting."

Arjuna: "If I use Shikhandi as a shield—"

Bhishma: "You can shoot me through her. Him. Through them. My arms will not lift. And you, with your Gandiva, will fill me with arrows until I fall."

Arjuna: "That's not honorable."

Bhishma: "No. But it's effective. And this war will not be won by honor, Arjuna. It will be won by those willing to bend honor for dharma. I know you hate that. I know Krishna has been trying to teach you this. I'm teaching you now, one last time."

Arjuna: "One last lesson from my guru."

Bhishma: "One last lesson from a man who loves you more than his own sons. Duryodhana is my great-grandson. I have watched him since birth. And I cannot love him. I've tried. But he is unlovable—hard, cruel, hungry in ways that cannot be fed. You, I love. Every victory you've won, I've celebrated in secret. Every skill you've mastered, I've claimed as my legacy. When you kill me, I will be proud."

Arjuna: "I don't want to kill you."

Bhishma: "I know. That's why you can. A man who wants to kill is dangerous. A man who kills despite not wanting to—that's terrifying. That's dharma with a sword."

Arjuna rose. He had what he came for. He wished he hadn't come.

Arjuna: "Grandfather. Is there anything I can do? Before—"

Bhishma: "Win. Win completely. Don't let my death be for nothing. Establish a kingdom where vows like mine are not needed. Where the throne serves the people instead of demanding the people serve it."

Arjuna: "I'll try."

Bhishma: "You'll succeed. I've seen your future, Arjuna. Fragments of it. You will suffer more than you can imagine. You will lose everyone you love. But you will endure. And when you walk into the mountains for your final journey, you will walk with your head high."

Arjuna bowed.

Arjuna: "I will see you tomorrow, Grandfather. On the field."

Bhishma: "Yes. And when our eyes meet, don't hesitate. I'll be waiting for Shikhandi. Don't make me wait long."

Arjuna left the tent. Behind him, Bhishma picked up his bow—the bow that had never been defeated—and began polishing it, one last time.