Battle between Bhishma and Parshuram

Battle between Bhishma And Parshuram which lasted longer than Kurukshetra War !

Bhishma (son of Shantanu and Ganga) was a great archer and a warrior. He is known for his skills in the Mahabharata. He had the task of finding a bride for his brother (Vichitravirya). He abducted princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika of Kashi (Varanasi) at their swayamvara. Salwa, the ruler of Saubala and Amba (the eldest princess) were committed to each other. When Amba confided in Bhishma that she wished to wed Salwa, he sent her back to Salwa. However, Salva turned her down as it was humiliating for him to accept a woman who had been so long in the company of another man. Then She approached Bhishma and demanded that he marry her, which he refused. Amba, humiliated and enraged beyond measure, vowed to avenge herself against Bhishma.

Parshurama (sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was the guru of Bhishma, asked him to marry with Amba. He politely refused saying that he was ready to give up his life at the command of his teacher but he could not break his promise. Upon the refusal, Parshurama called him for a fight at Kurukshetra.

Bhishma got down from the chariot to get blessings form Parshurama to protect his dharma, along with the permission to battle against his teacher. Parshurama was pleased and said to Bhishma that if he had not behaved in this manner, Parshurama would have cursed him, for it is the duty of warriors who fight against elders to not abandon the traditions of humility and respect for elders. Parshurama blessed him and advised him to protect his dharma of brahmacharya as Parshurama himself must fight to fulfil his dharma of fighting to uphold his word as given to Amba.

And so, the first great battle fought in Kurukshetra commenced. The more famous Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and Kauravas took 18 days, but the war between these two heroes took 24 days. By the 23rd night, Bhishma had tried all the maneuvers and weapons he could think of, but none of them were able to defeat Parashurama. Same was the case with Parshuram!

Parshurama proclaimed that his student was truly powerful. He told Amba: "Using even the very best of weapons I have not been able to obtain any advantage over Bhishma ! I have exerted now to the best of my power and might. Seek the protection of Bhishma himself, you have no other refuge now!"

This war to be a true dharmayudhha - where Teacher fought against his beloved student placing dharma over everything else - war was fought not for any desire but to fulfill their duty!