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But if he promised me his throne, he would lose Satyavati.
Duty and honour had killed seven of his children.
Had cost him his wife and son. Could I let them rob him of all his happiness yet again?
I rejected the throne. I killed my unborn children by swearing lifelong celibacy.
And because I still saw fear in my father's eyes, I swore to always serve the Kuru throne.
And so they called me Bheeshma. He of the Terrible Oath.
It's as good a name as any.
My mother is a river goddess. I do not know how much of me is human.
I know that I am mortal.
But the gods were so impressed with my vow that they granted me one right.
I will choose the time of my own death.
And I, Bheeshma, know this - that time is not today.
But when I see these children dying at my hands, I wonder - should I have chosen to die long ago?
I saw their births. I saw them grow to manhood.
I remember their laughter, their innocence. It seems an Age ago.
And now I kill them.
And now I lead the men who want to kill them.
Bheeshma! Stop killing cattle and bring me some Pandava heads! Are you awake?
Many have told me that my vow was a mistake.
That my line of kings would have taken Bharat to new heights.
That I could have written the story of this Age, and it would have been a happy one.
But each Age, each story has its heroes, and those who choose to stand aside.
And the Pandavas are worthy heroes.
And I look at these boys, these men, and I know I made the right choice.
They are beacons of hope in dark times.
To save the Age, Bheeshma the Invincible must lose the battle.
The gods have a cruel sense of humour.
The dawn may not come until night swallows the setting sun.
The new Age may not begin until the guardian of the old stands down.
I have lived many lives, but yet I cling on.
Bheeshma the Selfless? No. Bheeshma the Greedy.
If humanity survives this Age, will they remember me among these young legends?
Will they care that a man kept his vows?
Or will they remember only the foolish old man, bound by rash promises
who led legions of monsters against his beloved kin?
It does not matter. Not today.
This old warrior still has a few tricks left to show.
These young upstarts, they think they can rule a battlefield that I stand on?
Oh, I'm awake, Duryodhana.
Are you?