Bhisma Shra Shayan
The death of Bhisma on a bed of arrows. The great warrior-hero Bhisma was the son of the goddess Ganga, who prized the rule of Dharma above all. His name derives from the vow he took, on behalf of his father, to live a celibate life, thus variously referred to by the epithets “he of the terrible vow, the formidable one”. A central figure in the Mahabharata, Bhisma attempted to avert the great war at Kurukshestra between the Pandayan and Kaurava cousins. Having failed, he fought for the Kauravas in fulfillment of a vow, and on the tenth day of battle was pierced through with arrows by Arjuna. He lay suspended above the ground, supported by the arrows for fifty-one nights, giving counsel, before surrendering to death. Bhisma is shown with a golden body, represented here in the manner of a strongman-wrestler, dressed only in a waistcloth, reclining on the bed of eight arrows. Inscribed in Bengali.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bhisma Shra Shayan
- Date: early 20th century
- Culture: India, West Bengal
- Medium: Gouache and ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 8 7/16 × 7 1/16 in. (21.5 × 18 cm)
Framed: 14 3/8 × 12 13/16 in. (36.5 × 32.5 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, by Exchange, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.470
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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India, West Bengal
early 20th century
India, West Bengal
early 20th century
India, West Bengal
early 20th century
India, West Bengal
early 20th century
India, West Bengal
early 20th century
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