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Bhishma Ashtami

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Bhishma Ashtami

Why it is celebrated

Magh Shukla Ashtami is kept as the day Bhishma Pitamah of the Mahabharata left this world. He had the boon of choosing the time of his own passing, and he left his body on this day, in the auspicious time of Uttarayan. Today tarpan is offered in his memory.

The story

Devavrat was the son of King Shantanu of Hastinapur and Devi Ganga. He was brave, learned and truthful. Once King Shantanu wished to marry Satyavati, but her father's condition was that only Satyavati's son would get the throne.

For his father's happiness, Devavrat vowed before everyone that he would never take the throne and would never marry. Because of this very hard vow he came to be called 'Bhishma'. Pleased, Shantanu gave him the boon that death would not come to him without his own wish.

Bhishma kept his word all his life. Wounded in the Mahabharata war, he lay on a bed of arrows. The sun was then in Dakshinayan, so he waited for the auspicious time of Uttarayan.

In those days he taught Yudhishthir deep truths about dharma, ruling and life. The Vishnu Sahasranama also comes from this part of the story. When the sun had turned to Uttarayan, on Magh Shukla Ashtami, Bhishma Pitamah peacefully left his body while meditating on Shri Krishna.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe in the morning in a river, or at home with Ganga water added to the water.
  2. At midday, hold water, black sesame and kusha grass and offer tarpan in Bhishma Pitamah's name; many people remember their own ancestors too.
  3. Offer arghya to Surya dev and meditate on Bhagwan Vishnu.
  4. Recite or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama, which Bhishma Pitamah taught Yudhishthir.
  5. Give til, grain or clothes in daan.
  6. Remember the lesson of Bhishma Pitamah's life: keep your word and stand by the truth.

Food

Simple sattvic food; many people fast and give things made with til in daan.

Wishes to send

  • On Bhishma Ashtami, we bow with respect to Pitamah Bhishma. His life teaches us to keep our word.

  • May firmness and truthfulness like Bhishma's come into all our lives. Warm wishes on Bhishma Ashtami.

  • Pranam today to Pitamah Bhishma and to all our ancestors. May their blessings stay on the family.

  • Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama and remembering Bhishma Pitamah. May this day fill your heart with peace.

  • He kept what he promised. On Bhishma Ashtami, let us take up the same lesson.

  • Countless salutations to Bhishma Pitamah, an image of dharma, patience and sacrifice.

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