Yudhishthira sought the blessings of his grandsire. Bhishma gave his blessings and also gave him sound advice about how to conduct himself correctly as a king. In the Mahabharata epic, this is known as Shantiparva. Having taught him, Bhishma finally passed away. Yudhishthira performed his last rites. Overcome by the sorrow of the past and the grief of losing so many loved ones in the war, Yudhishthira became unconscious beside the river where he performed the ceremonies. Bhima revived him. Then Dhritarashtra came to console him. He said that Yudhishthira had honourably won a victory and that he should now take up the responsibility of ruling his kingdom. He said he had himself been foolish and paid the price for it by losing his sons. It was now his own turn, along with Gandhari, to grieve. They would look on Yudhishthira as their son.
Bhishma Passes Away
