Lord Bhishma: In the Mahabharata, Bhishma was well known for his pledge of celibacy. Originally named as 'Devavrata', he was the eighth son of the Kuru King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. Bhishma was blessed with a boon from his father that he could choose the time of his death or he may remain immortal till he desires. He was related to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas through his half-brother, Vichitravirya (Son of Satyavati). He was one of the best archers and warrior of his time. He also handed down the Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishtira. when he was on his death bed (of arrows) after the battle of Kurukshetra. Bhishma or Devvrata will be known in the history as one of the great warriors who adorned this earth. The story of his birth was and his death were strange, but even stranger were his deeds on this planet.