In the epic Mahabharata, Bhishma is one of the most glorious tragic heroes of our country. Bhishma was a son of King Shantanu and Ganga. He took a pledge of for is fathers lustfull desire to marry Satyavati. He was also known as Devavrata. This particular pledge was not just a personal sacrifice. It was a significant choice that put duty, honour and values above ambition, pleasure, legacy and respect towards his father.
Now in these times of digitisation, a meaningful story like that of Bhishma is more relevant than ever before. In this online world of fame, reels, memes and likes, share and followers, are you ready to take a stand for your mental health and social media identity, Are you ready to give up some temporary fun and internet fame?
Privacy Is the Modern Day Pledge.
Just as Bhishma sacrificed personal pleasures for a greater goal, users of today’s internet must be ready to cut off jumping onto personal digital gratification for a long term privacy/safety. Every time we accept app permissions without thinking, post sensitive information about our families, or push out any content we can get just to get engagement, we make small compromises that take away our autonomy. The cost? Our personal information, online activity, mental well-being, and even our reputation in real life.
Entertainment Can Be a Trojan Horse.
Not all fun is harmless. A variety of online platforms use entertainment as bait to transform users into addicts who can be harvested for data, who can be monitored for behaviour, and whose emotions can be extensively manipulated. It is a fun thing to watch adult stuff, post a personal update and participate in a controversial trend.
Bhishma, the greatest warrior, always held back. He lived by a code. We may have unlimited internet access but we can’t have free access to anything unethically.
Sacrifice Is Strength, Not Weakness.
It isn’t weakness if you choose to stay private, not share overshare, turn off cookies, disable location access, or quit toxic socials. It is a conscious act of strength like Bhishma’s pledge. It may keep you away from the crowd for a little while but safeguard your dignity, peace and safety.
Online fame is fleeting. But getting a photo leaked, identity theft, trolling, blackmail, and so on, same cases don’t end so easily. By choosing not to engage, retain your dignity and set boundaries so you can remain your true self.
Make Your Own Bhishma Pratigyna.
Bhishma was the giant of the Mahabharata battlefield who epitomised ethics. Let’s work to make ourselves the same in the digital battlefield of today. As we surf the digital seas, let us make our own Digital Bhishma Pratigyna.
- I promised to keep my private life personal not public.
- I choose dignity and not be addicted to it.
- Check Before You Share – Ensure the information is true, respectful, and appropriate.
- Get Consent Before You Click – Always ask before capturing or posting someone else’s image or data.
- Think Before You Post – Words and images live forever online , be mindful of their impact.
Disclaimer
This piece is an imaginative and autobiographical article combining mythology with the problem of modern lingeries. It wasn’t made with the intent to hurt the sentiment of any religion or culture. I am an expert in digital wellbeing and I have taken inspiration from Lord Bhishma’s symbolic sacrifice to inspire safer and more ethical online behaviour.
