Prayer for Liberation

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 9

Bhisma-Stuti, the prayer for liberation chanted by Bhisma Pitamaha at the time of death while lying on the bed of arrows.

Bhisma’s contributions to humanity at that moment were two-fold:

• Vishu Sahasranama (1000 names of Lord Vishu): This was recited in response to Yudhistira’s question

• Bhisma Stuti (Prayer for Liberation): This was chanted right before his soul got liberated from the body

He begins the chant by offering praise to Lord Krishna. He says that the Lord standing in front of him is verily Adi-Narayana (Bhagavan, the Supreme Person) himself and is not bound by “Karma” and “Kala” (Time). His birth and death are illusory. His form is all spiritual.

Several great personalities like Sage Narada, Srila Vyasdeva, Sage Sukadeva, Parasurama were present at this moment.

Bhisma closed his eyes and focused his mind on Narayana and chanted the following prayers:

1. I offer my intellect, the intellect that is free of desires and expectations, to the feet of the Lord who is perfect in “Dharma” and complete by himself

2. May my mind mesmerized with the thoughts of the Supreme Person who has the bluish hue, wears yellow garments and self-effulgent

3. May my love be on the best friend of Arjuna (Lord Krishna) who accepted my arrows as offerings to him

4. May my mind be fixed on the feet of the Lord who by his spiritual discourse of Bhagavad Gita removed Arjuna’s ignorance and showed him the path of “Dharma”

5. May I serve that Lord who broke his vow to please my desire by jumping out of his chariot and attacked me like a lion killing an elephant

6. May I take shelter of the giver of the freedom from birth, death, old age, and disease who made it appear as if my arrows pierced his body through his illusory energy

7. Let my devotion be on the Lord who treats Arjuna’s chariot as a member of his family

8. Let my love be on the Lord who liberated Gopi’s just because they enjoyed taking part in the playful activities (Lila) of the Lord

9. Let me offer tributes to the manifested form of the Universal Consciousness, which has unmatchable beauty and most merciful glance

10. Let me become free from ignorance having understood the Lord who is unborn but appears to take birth and who is in the hearts of everyone (Paramatma) but also present in front of me

Having said the above prayers, Bhisma’s soul left the body and merged into the Super Soul, who was present in front of him.

It is evident from his prayers that Bhisma's focus was on the all spiritual form of the Supreme Person (Bhagavan) rather than the formless aspect of Spiritual Energy (Brahman). Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that both these aspects are valid but liberation is easier when the mind is fixed in devotion on the Bhagavan aspect.

Anyone who chants these prayers regularly will attain liberation at the end of current birth.