Mahabharat: The Sacrifice of a Son for his Father and the Nation

भीष्म की प्रतीज्ञा  । 

Devratt has the biggest dilemma in front of him. His mind might be full of conflicting thoughts, because of what his father wants and because of what Mata Satyawati wants. Or probably not, for he was the person with utmost clarity of mind. He knows what he is doing and what needs to be done. He probably has made up his mind.

In front of Mata Satyawati, he takes pledge that he will not accept the kingdom of Hastinapur. He will ensure that the sons of Mata Satyawati become Kings and the biggest of all, He will not marry and remain bachelor his entire life.

On hearing this, King Shantanu bursts into tears and gets very emotional. It was among the greatest sacrifice of a son for his father. He asks Devratt to make a wish, so that the King can get a chance to redeem himself from the pain, somewhat.

Devratt tells him that he wants to be alive till he ensures what he has promised to Mata Satyawati. To this, King Shantanu bestows Devratt with one of the biggest boons. He blesses him with the boon of life. Ichha Mratyu (इच्छा म्रत्यु) which means that death will not come anywhere close to him until and unless he asks for it. And that he will be worshipped by all and will be called 'Bheeshma' भीष्म . Hence he gets his name.

The fast pace of the story:

What is evident from the first few episodes of this new Mahabharat is that the makers have picked few main characters and stories from the epic that they wanted to focus on and have presented it in clear and purposeful manner without wasting much time.

New character: Vichitravirya. विचित्रवीर्य

Vichitravirya

Panchal Pradesh पांचाल प्रदेश 

The story fast forwards 25 years. Vichitravirya is the prince of Hastinapur and is caught by neighbouring Panchals because of some wrongdoing. He is weak, lazy and alcoholic. Bheeshma comes and saves him.

भीष्म : रावण ने अवसर मान के हनुमान की पूछ में आग लगाने की भूल की थी । भीष्म के ह्रदय में आग लगाने की भूल मत करना।  अन्यथा लंका की भांति पूरा पांचाल जलेगा । आ रहा हूँ अपने युवराज को बचाने , शक्ति है तो रोक लो । 

The Curse:

When Bheeshma was returning from Panchal after rescuing Vichitravirya and killing few of the Panchal soldiers, the Panchal king curses him that "someone will take birth on this land who will be the reason for his (Bheeshma's) death."

पंचाल नरेश :  भीष्म, तुझे इस अपमान का मूल्य चुकाना होगा । यहीं इस पांचाल की भूमि में  कोई जन्म लेगा, जो तुम्हारी म्रत्यु का कारण बनेगा । 

New Character: Rajkumari Amba राजकुमारी अम्बा 

Amba

She is the princess of Kashi काशी 

Opening dialogue: …नेवले को सर्पदंश से हानि नहीं होती मूर्ख ,  सामर्थ्य को अपराध का दोष नहीं लगता ।  

The Narrator:

The makers have kept Shri Krishna as the narrator in the new Mahabharat, different from Samaya, who was the narrator in the original Mahabharat. I still feel Samaya was more appropriate; that beautiful Chakra of Time and that Earth in the space. Can't forget that voice, मैं समय हूँ । :) Click here. A thought crossed the mind, how about they have also kept Samay as the narrator with Amitabh Bachhan's voice in background!

कृष्णा : अधिकतर माता पिता अपनी संतानों का भविष्य सुनिश्चित करने की चिंता में उनके चरित्र निर्माण का कार्य भूल ही जाते हैं । वस्तुतः जो माता पिता अपनी संतानों के भविष्य की चिंता करते हैं उनकी संतानों को कोई लाभ नहीं होता । किन्तु जो माता पिता अपनी संतानों के भविष्य का नहीं, उनके चरित्र का निर्माण करते हैं, उन संतानों की प्रशस्ति समस्त संसार करता है ।