Bhishma is the son of Santanu, the king of Hastinapur. Bhishma was originally named Santanavu. As per the legend in the Mahabharata, Raja Santanu wished to marry a young and beautiful damsel. But, the parents of the girl were unwilling to give her to the Raja. The reason behind their denial was given like this, "If our daughter has sons they will not succeed to the Raj for when Santanu dies, his son Santanavu will become Raja."

Then Santanavu or Bhishma determined to sacrifice himself in order to please his father. Then Bhishma made a vow to the parents of the damsel saying that he will never accept the kingdom or marry a wife or become the father of children by any woman. Thus, if their daughters bear a son to the Raja that son shall succeed him in the kingdom. It is because of that dreadful vow made by him, he is called Bhishma. Henceforth, Bhishma became the patriarch of the family and is represented as a model of faithfulness and loyalty and indeed stands forth as one of the leading characters in the Mahabharata.

Bhishma educated Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura. In the great war of Kurukshetra, Bhishma became the generalissimo of the Kauravas and their allies. On the tenth day of the battle, Bhishma was mortally wounded in a terrible conflict with Arjuna.

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