Bhishma, also known as Devavrata, is one of the most important figures in Slavitt’s translation of the Mahabharata. As recounted by Slavitt, Bhishma’s story begins with the context of his birth and ends with his death. As the son of King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga, Bhishma is born into a life shaped by celestial influence and human sacrifice. His origins mark him with divine qualities, as he is the human incarnation of a sky god, the leader of the eight Vasus cursed to live on earth due to a transgression against a rishi (sage). Bhishma’s birth reflects both the greatness and tragedy of his life, as he carries the burden of a celestial punishment that transforms him into a figure of sacrifice, loyalty, and martial prowess.

The defining moment in Bhishma’s life—and the origin of his name, meaning “terrible”—occurs when he renounces his right to the throne and vows never to marry, ensuring that his father, Shantanu, can marry Satyavati, a woman from a fisherman’s family, whose father demands that her sons accede to the throne. Bhishma’s vow casts a long shadow over the Bharata dynasty,

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