Enigmas in the life of Bhishma – The Enigma of Loyalty

In the epic Mahabharata, one character stands out for his unwavering dedication and loyalty to the Kuru kingdom: Bhishma. Renowned for his unparalleled prowess in battle and his unyielding commitment to his word, Bhishma is often hailed as the epitome of loyalty and duty. However, upon closer examination, Bhishma’s loyalty to the Kuru kingdom reveals a complex tapestry of conflicting loyalties, moral dilemmas, and personal sacrifices.

Bhishma, born as Devavrata, was the son of King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. From a young age, he displayed exceptional valour and wisdom, earning the admiration of all who knew him. When his father fell in love with Satyavati, Devavrata vowed never to ascend the throne himself, ensuring that Satyavati’s sons would inherit the kingdom unchallenged. This selfless act of renunciation established Bhishma’s reputation as a paragon of loyalty to the Kuru dynasty. Throughout his life, Bhishma remained steadfast in his allegiance to the Kuru kingdom, serving under successive generations of kings with unwavering dedication. As the granduncle of the Pandavas and Kauravas, he plays a pivotal role in their upbringing, imparting invaluable lessons in warfare, governance, and morality. However, Bhishma’s interpretation of duty and loyalty that invites scrutiny. While he remains steadfast in his allegiance to the Kuru dynasty, his actions are not always aligned with conventional notions of righteousness.

The Vow of Celibacy – Central to Bhishma’s character is his oath of celibacy, taken to ensure the ascension of his father’s union with Satyavati and her progeny to the throne of Hastinapura. This vow, born out of his love and respect for his father, binds him to a life of renunciation, denying him the joys of marital bliss and fatherhood. While his commitment to this vow is unwavering, it also serves as a barrier to his personal ambitions and desires, shaping his actions in both subtle and profound ways. This is also against the tenets of Hinduism where a son is supposed to help his father follow the Ashrama dharma to attain Moksha but drawn him back to Grihasthasram at 70 years.

Adharmas against Pandavas – His decision not to intervene in the intensifying strife between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, despite his moral and ethical reservations about Duryodhana’s deeds, prompts reflection on the boundaries of allegiance in the presence of wrongdoing. Bhishma’s silence and inaction throughout Duryodhana’s various attempts, such as the poisoning and drowning of Bhima or the scheme to eliminate the Pandavas and Kunti in the lac house in Varanavat, various other events leading to the Kurukshetra war, underscore his choice not to wield his moral and positional influence to intervene.

Silence during Draupadi’s Disrobing – Perhaps one of the most morally contentious moments in the Mahabharata is Bhishma’s silence during Draupadi’s disrobing in the Kaurava court. As a respected elder and the grandsire of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas, Bhishma’s inaction in the face of Draupadi’s humiliation raises profound questions about the limits of loyalty and duty. While he may have been bound by his allegiance to the Kuru dynasty and his obligation to maintain order and stability in the kingdom, his failure to speak out against this grave injustice exposes the moral compromises he makes in service of his duty.

Participation in the Kurukshetra War– Bhishma’s role in the Kurukshetra war, where he fights on the side of the Kauravas despite his personal affection for the Pandavas, further exemplifies the conflict between loyalty and morality. While he may feel duty-bound to honour his oath of allegiance to the Kuru dynasty and support the legitimate heirs to the throne, his participation in a war that pits cousins against each other raises ethical questions about the righteousness of his cause. Despite his prowess as a warrior and his unwavering commitment to his duty as a soldier, Bhishma’s actions in the war are tinged with moral ambiguity and ethical dilemmas.

In conclusion, Bhishma’s character in the Mahabharata embodies the complex interplay between loyalty and duty on one hand, and morality and ethics on the other. His actions throughout the epic illustrate the challenges of navigating conflicting principles in the pursuit of righteousness and honour. While his unwavering commitment to duty and loyalty earns him admiration and respect, his moral compromises and ethical dilemmas serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human nature and the timeless struggle to balance competing values in the face of adversity.

When loyalty blinds an individual towards corrupt, immoral, and unethical practices of people in positions of authority, it can have far-reaching and damaging consequences, both for the individual and for society. Here are some of the potential outcomes:

Perpetuation of Corruption: By turning a blind eye to corrupt practices, individuals inadvertently contribute to the perpetuation of corruption within the system. Their silence and complicity allow those in positions of authority to continue abusing their power for personal gain, undermining the integrity and trustworthiness of institutions.

Erosion of Moral Integrity: Loyalty to authorities who engage in unethical behaviour can erode an individual’s own moral integrity. Over time, they may become desensitized to wrongdoing and compromise their own ethical principles in order to maintain their loyalty and allegiance. This erosion of moral values not only affects their personal conduct but also diminishes their ability to recognize and resist unethical behaviour in others.

Betrayal of Trust: When individuals in positions of authority abuse their power for personal gain, they betray the trust placed in them by the public or by their subordinates. Those who remain loyal to such individuals despite their wrongdoing contribute to the erosion of trust in institutions and undermine the social fabric that holds communities together.

Normalization of Unethical Behaviour: Loyalty towards corrupt authority figures can lead to the normalization of unethical behaviour within organizations or societies. When individuals witness others being rewarded or promoted for engaging in misconduct, they may come to believe that such behaviour is acceptable or even expected, further perpetuating a culture of corruption and moral decay.

Undermining Justice and Accountability: By shielding corrupt individuals from accountability and consequences, blind loyalty impedes efforts to uphold justice and promote transparency within society. Without accountability mechanisms in place, corrupt practices go unchecked, allowing those in power to act with impunity and escape punishment for their wrongdoing.

Stifling Progress and Innovation: In environments where loyalty to authority figures takes precedence over ethical considerations, dissent and critical thinking may be suppressed. This stifles creativity, innovation, and constructive criticism, hindering progress and perpetuating a status quo that is detrimental to the well-being of society.

Damage to Reputation: Associating yourself with a corrupt leader ultimately damages your own reputation.

Personal Moral Conflict: Ignoring wrongdoing creates internal dissonance. Deep down, you may know the actions are wrong, leading to guilt, shame, and a sense of powerlessness.

In essence, when loyalty blinds individuals to the corrupt, immoral, and unethical practices of those in positions of authority, it perpetuates a cycle of dysfunction and decay that undermines the fabric of society. It is essential for individuals to maintain a critical and ethical mindset, even in the face of loyalty to authority, in order to uphold principles of justice, integrity, and accountability.

In summary, loyalty can be a noble virtue, but it must coexist with critical thinking, ethical awareness, and a commitment to justice. When loyalty becomes a blindfold, it obscures our ability to discern right from wrong, perpetuating harmful practices. As responsible individuals, we must strike a balance between loyalty and integrity.