In Indian parlance it is quite common to address a veteran as Bheeshma pitamaha, right?

Well, Bheeshma was a great warrior (he fought Parasurama – remember the Amba factor?), and he could take on anybody in his reading of the Vedas (remember he created Vishnusarsaranamam while on his death bed?)….but he is not really known for his good governance. Satyavati is just not queen material – and this is visible to Shanthanu also, but he still falls for lust.

Let us see where it starts.

When his father falls for Satyavati (lust) he gives up his right to the throne of Hastinapur. This may be a personal thing, but along with it, Hastinapur loses its best possible king. A king who was well endowed physically and mentally.

When you are a king or a prince, you need to be selfless and many times selfish. Just like how a bowler captain in cricket either over bowls or under bowls himself – the perfect balance is difficult to achieve.

When Sathyavathi has 2 sons – both useless – he continues to be bound by his promise to his dad – and makes Vichitraveer the king (Chitrangada is dead).

Now this joker V has had no character at all. He is a drunkard, a wastrel, who is protected by his mother Satyavati. When she realises that V cannot win any woman in a Swayamwar, Satyavati orders Bheeshma to bring the 3 daughters of the King of Kashi – Amba, Ambalika, and Ambalika.

In his confusion of loyalty towards Hastinapur, and Satyavati – he goes to Kashi and IN THAT PROCESS BRINGS ABOUT his own death ALSO – it is Amba who becomes Shikhandi!!

So Ambalika and Ambika becomes the drunkard wastrel’s wives – and Bheeshma has destroyed the lives of 3 women by now.

Fast Forward to Draupadi.

Bheeshma is perhaps the only person who could have stopped the disrobing. He just kept silent.

Every step of Bheeshma’s life – he has failed the women. First the 3 Kashi princesses and then his own grand daughter in law Draupadi.

At at both the steps it is clearly his inability to see what is RIGHT for Hastinapur and what is being sought by lust.

Corporate Governance is about asking ‘am I saying this for the benefit of the company and its stake holders or for the benefit of the present Chairman (Managing Director whoever is strong)’?

Most of us like the Director post, the pampering, the food, the nice fees, — and therefore we do not mind compromising a ‘little’.

Very, very few people stand up AGAINST the person who got them the post.

Look at Bheeshma! he had all the wisdom and the strength, still did not perform his duty, EVER, for the benefit of Hastinapur or for the well being of the world.

Sad is it not? In corporate India we have people with a far lesser caliber than Bheeshma. Do you really expect Corporate Governance?