Magha Shukla Ashtami is death anniversary of Bhishma Pitamah, one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata and this day is known as “Bhishma Ashtami”. After suffering from endless pain and sacrificing all his life for betterment of others, on this auspicious day, Bhishma left his mortal body to attain ‘moksha’ on this day. This occurred during ‘Uttarayan’, that is also known as the day time of the Lords. This festival is observed on the eighth day of the ‘Shukla Paksh’ of the Hindu month called ‘Magha Masam’.
Bhishma bowed for celibacy and followed it throughout his life. Due to his loyalty and devotion to his father Pitamah Bhishma was blessed with boon to choose the time of his death. When he got injured in the battle of Mahabharata he didn’t leave his body due to his boon. He waited for the auspicious moment to give up his body. According to Hindu belief God Suryadev moves in South direction during half of year which is inauspicious period and all auspicious activities are postponed till Suryadev starts moving back in North direction. Pitamah Bhishma chose Magha Shukla Ashtami to give up his body and by this time Suryadev started moving back in North direction or Uttarayana.
This day People do “Ekodishta Shradhha” for him. His Shradhha has been prescribed for those who have lost their father. However many believe that his Shradhha rituals can be performed by all irrespective of their father being alive or dead.
Bhishma Ashtami is observed by Hindus in different parts f the county and abroad. In the state of Bengal special puja and rituals are held during the day. This day is celebrated with great dedication and fervour in ISKCON Temples and Lord Vishnu temples all over the country.
Ekaadasi thithi succeeding Bheeshma Niryaana (Bheeshmaashtami) is named after Bheeshmaachaarya as a mark of respect to the noble soul, and is called as Bheeshma Ekadasi. Some section of the society treats this day as the day of Bheeshma Niryana. But actually Bheeshma niryana did not take place on Ekadasi. It was on the day of Ashtami thithi the day succeeding Ratha Sapthami that Bheeshma Niryana took place. Hence, Bheeshma Ekadasi and Bheeshma Niryana are two different things.
Who is Bhishma?
In the ‘Dwapara Yuga’, Bhishma was the son of King Shantanu and Ganga. Bhishma’s birth name was Devavrata. As he grew up, Ganga took him to Demon Guru Shukracharya to teach him all the skills.When his father decided to remarry a beautiful lady named ‘Satyavati’, her parents denied. The reason behind this was that they knew that since Bhishma was the eldest of the king’s sons, he would be made the king after his father. Because of this denial, King Shantanu became really sad. Seeing his father’s condition, Bhishma took a vow that he will neither accept the crown nor will he ever get married and convinced Satyavati’s parents for the marriage. A doting son and man of his words that he was, he respected his vow all his life. King Shantanu got married to Satyavati, who bore him two sons. But unfortunately, they died before giving any heir to the throne.
Bhishma then took care of those grandchildren and their sons known as ‘Kauravas’ and ‘Pandavas’. Bhishma was also fondly called, “Pitamah” because he was literally the father figure of both families and supported them in all situations. He was so loyal to the throne that when the great war of ‘Mahabharata’ was fought, he chose to fight from the ‘Kauravas’ side since they were on the throne even though he was more dedicated towards ‘Pandavas’ and knew that injustice was done to them. Bhishma had a blessing from his mother, according to which he could only die when he wanted to and nobody else could kill him. While fighting the war, when Arjuna pierced his body with a lot of arrows leaving not a single inch on his body, he did not leave his body and rather stayed in that painful form for 58 days and gave teachings to his followers till this holy day. On the occasion of this day, he decided to leave earth and reach heaven. Since then, this auspicious day is celebrated as ‘Bhishma Ashtami’.
During the war in Mahabharata, he took the side of Kauravas and decided to fight against Pandavas. Lord Krishna put Shikandi against him as King Bhishma had pledged that he would never fight against a eunuch. Eventually, Bhishma was confined to the deathbed for 18 days. The day he died is observed as Bhishma Ashtami. People consider this day prominent for practising celibacy. Bhishma was known for his celibacy which he observed all through his life. Owing to this devotion and loyalty to his father, Bhishma was bestowed with the power to choose his time of death. When he got injured during the war of Mahabharata, he waited for the auspicious day of Magha Shukla Ashtami for his death. Bhishma Ashtami is considered favourable to perform any auspicious activity all day long.
‘Bhishma Pitamah’ is a great example of devotion, dutiful and loyalty. He was a great son, a dutiful loyalist to the throne, a great diplomat who sacrificed everything for his kingdom.
Significanc of Bhishma Ashtami
A noble Soul, a great learned person, Bheeshma was respected for his honesty, sincerity and strong determination. He was a great warrior, an adventurous hero and on his day it was difficult for anyone to defeat him. For the sake of his father he sacrificed his marriageable life by taking an oath of celibacy and remained childless. Due to his commitment to the Kuru dynasty he had to be on the side of Duryodhana and became a silent spectator during the ugly scenes that happened in the episode of Pandavas.
Basically a Demi God (one of the Ashta Vasus), Bheeshmaachaarya was an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna an avathara of Lord Vishnu. The famous Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram in praise of Lord Vishnu was made known, not only to Pandavas but to the entire world by Bheeshma in the presence of Lord Sri Krishna during his avasaana dasa. But for Bheeshma, we would have missed the most sacred Stothra of Lord Vishnu. Perhaps for this great deed alone, Bheeshma deserves to be remembered on this scared day of his Niryana and it is befitting to offer our obeisance and salutations to this noble Soul. Though his end was very painful having fallen on the bed of arrows for 48 days, Bheeshma had a very noble and sacred death in the presence of none other than Lord Sri Krishna Himself. What else! One needs, at the time of death other than this to attain salvation!
Who can do Bhishma Ashtami?
The day of Bhishma Ashtami is considered as most significant day for the people who want to get rid of Putradosh. Couples that are praying for son are blessed with blessings of Bhishma Pitamaha of having male child. Observing fast on this auspicious day is beneficial for the couples. People perform Tarpan and Fast on this day in the regards of Bhishma Pitamaha. All this is considered as the activity to offer peace to the soul of Bhishma Pitamaha. It is believed that one who keeps fast on this day is blessed with the son who has powers of Pitamaha and he is capable to work like him. Bhishma Ashtami is widely celebrated in the temples of Lord Vishnu. This is celebrated for five days from Bhishma Ashtami to Bhishma Dwadasi. This period of five days is known as Bhishma Panchaka vrata.
The steps to follow for Puja :
People observe the ritual of ‘Ekodishta Shraddha’ in the honor of Bhishma. According to the belief, only those devotees whose fathers are not alive anymore can perform this ritual. Some communities, however, do not follow this and believe that anyone can perform the ‘pooja’.
People visit the nearby river banks and do ‘Tarpan’ ritual in order to bring peace to Bhishma Pitamah’s soul. They also honor their ancestors through the same.
People take holy dip in the Ganga River and offer boiled rice and sesame seeds in order to come out of the cycle of life and death and purify their souls.
Devotees observe fast during the day and perform, ‘Arghyam’ and chant ‘Bhishma Ashtami mantra’ to seek the deity’s blessings.
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