What is Bhishma Pratigya? Who made it and why?

Answer 1

Bhishma' means 'He of the terrible oath', referring to his vow of life-long celibacy. Devavrata became known as Bhishma because he took the bhishan pratigya — the vow of life-long celibacy and of service to whoever sat on the throne of his father (the throne of Hastinapura). This was because when his father Shantanu wanted to marry a fisherwoman Satyavati, her father refused, saying that his daughter's children would never be rulers because Shantanu already had a son (i,e., Devavrata). This made Shantanu despondent. To placate Satyavati's father, Devavrata promised that he would never stake a claim to the throne, implying that the child born of Shantanu and Satyavati would become the ruler after Shantanu. At this, Satyavati's father retorted that even if Devavrata gave up his claim to the throne, it was still possible that his (Devavrata's) children would claim the throne. At this, Devavrata, to make his father happy, took the terrible vow, thus sacrificing his crown-prince title, and denying himself the pleasures of intercourse. This gave him immediate recognition among the gods. His father granted him the boon of Ichcha Mrityu (control over his own death — he could choose the time of his death, but not, as may be suggested, one of immortality).

Bhishma was a great archer and a warrior of peerless valour and courage. In the process of finding a bride for the young king Vichitravirya for whom he was the regent, Bhishma challenged the assembled suitors at the swayamvara of the Kashi princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika and defeated all of them. Unknown to Bhishma, Salya, the ruler of Saubala is in love with Amba the eldest princess who reciprocates his feelings. While on the way to Hastinapura with the princesses, Bhishma is confronted by Salya who challenges him to a battle for the hand of Amba in marriage. After a hard fight, Salya is vanquished and admits defeat. Upon reaching Hastinapura Amba confides in Bhishma that she wished to wed Salya and no other. When Bhishma sends her to Salya, the vanquished ruler turns her down in shame of losing the combat. Upon being turned down by Vichitravirya too, as a maiden who had loved another man, Amba is incensed at Bhishma, who's interference she perceives as the root cause of her troubles. She performs penance to Shiva, and obtains the boon to one day be instrumental in Bhishma's death. Amba would be born as a Panchala princess in the house of King Drupada, who as a consequence of another boon would be transformed into Shikhandi and be the root cause of Bhishma's death

Answer 2

Pratigya Wiki

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is Bhishma Pratigya? Who made it and why?

Answer 4

"Bhishma" the heir to the throne vowed that "He would not marry and remain faithful only to the Throne and his entire life serve only the King and His Kingdom."
A Young prince for whom Hundreds of kings were ready to give their daughters, this tough vow is called "Bhishma Pratigya".

Answer 5

bhshma, son of king santanu by his wife ganga, vowed that he would not marry and remain as a brahmachari.thus he paved the way for his father to marry satyavathi.i am at a loss to know why some people instead of giving reply from their own knowledge lifting several pages from web search. the very purpose of mr.raju's intention would be defeated.every body can search the web and quote pages.

Answer 6

Bhishma's vow
'Bhishma' means 'He of the terrible oath', referring to his vow of life-long celibacy. Devavrata became known as Bhishma because he took the bhishan pratigya — the vow of life-long celibacy and of service to whoever sat on the throne of his father (the throne of Hastinapura). This was because when his father Shantanu wanted to marry a fisherwoman Satyavati, her father refused, saying that his daughter's children would never be rulers because Shantanu already had a son (i,e., Devavrata). This made Shantanu despondent. To placate Satyavati's father, Devavrata promised that he would never stake a claim to the throne, implying that the child born of Shantanu and Satyavati would become the ruler after Shantanu. At this, Satyavati's father retorted that even if Devavrata gave up his claim to the throne, it was still possible that his (Devavrata's) children would claim the throne. At this, Devavrata, to make his father happy, took the terrible vow, thus sacrificing his crown-prince title, and denying himself the pleasures of intercourse. This gave him immediate recognition among the gods. His father granted him the boon of Ichcha Mrityu (control over his own death — he could choose the time of his death, but not, as may be suggested, one of immortality).

Bhishma was a great archer and a warrior of peerless valour and courage. In the process of finding a bride for the young king Vichitravirya for whom he was the regent, Bhishma challenged the assembled suitors at the swayamvara of the Kashi princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika and defeated all of them. Unknown to Bhishma, Salya, the ruler of Saubala is in love with Amba the eldest princess who reciprocates his feelings. While on the way to Hastinapura with the princesses, Bhishma is confronted by Salya who challenges him to a battle for the hand of Amba in marriage. After a hard fight, Salya is vanquished and admits defeat. Upon reaching Hastinapura Amba confides in Bhishma that she wished to wed Salya and no other. When Bhishma sends her to Salya, the vanquished ruler turns her down in shame of losing the combat. Upon being turned down by Vichitravirya too, as a maiden who had loved another man, Amba is incensed at Bhishma, who's interference she perceives as the root cause of her troubles. She performs penance to Shiva, and obtains the boon to one day be instrumental in Bhishma's death. Amba would be born as a Panchala princess in the house of King Drupada, who as a consequence of another boon would be transformed into Shikhandi and be the root cause of Bhishma's death.