BHISHMASHTAMI ON 20 – 02 – 2021 (SATURDAY) – Courtesy: Vathsala Sankaran

This festival is associated with 'Bhishma Pitamaha', the grandsire of the epic Mahabharata'. Bhishma is known as the legendary king of Mahabharata whom Lord Krishna praised as the Lords of the lord. Bhishmashtami i.e Bhishma Ashtami,is the festival which is celebrated on the twenty-third day of Magha (Jan-Feb) and eighth lunar day of the light half (waxing phase of the moon)and it has special and traditional origin.

During the war of Kurukshetra, Bhishma had to enter the war on the side of Kauravas. As there were defeat after defeat, prince Duryodhana of Kauravas, suspected the behaviour of Bhishma Pitamaha. Bhishma was disturbed by this and to save his self respect, in anguish, he took up the most powerful 'Astra', which could only be opposed by anyone including Shri Krishna. However, Krishna had already declared beforehand that he would not touch a weapon during the war.

But since Bhisham's attack could not be counteracted, Krishhna had to break his promise and was compelled to use the Sudarshan Chakra. On Seeing Shri Krishna's decision, Bhishma stopped fighting and laid himself to death on the bed of arrows (Sharashiayya). Father Shantanu had given a boon to Bhishma, that he will die only when he wishes so.

Accordingly after the 18-day war in Mahabharata, Bhisma opted for the Ashtami day on the Shukla Paksha of Magh month to leave his body and merge with the Supreme God. This was the auspicious Uttarayan period, the daytime of Devas. Hence this day is celebrated as Bhishmashtami in the honour of Bhishma Pitamaha.

It is the next day to Ratha Saptami. It is believed that Bhishma's soul departed on this day after the war of Kurukshetra came to an end.

According to the Tithi Tattwa, Bhishmashtami day is dedicated to Bhishma, the son of Ganga, and great uncle of the Pandava and Kaurava. Bhishma died childless without any direct descendant.

On this day devotees take bath early in the morning, perform the pooja and observe the fast from sunrise to sunset. Being the 'Pitamaha' of all, in honour and to pacify his soul, all the devotees come together and make religious offerings of Ganga-water, to his spirit.

The sesame seeds and boiled rice is offered to him. These rituals compensate the sins of the whole year. This offering is given to the childless hero Bhishma of the race of Vyaghrapada. Then people pray saying, "May Bhishma, the son of Santanu, the speaker of truth and defeater of his passions, obtain by this water the oblations due by sons and grandsons.”

Bhishmashtami Arghyam Procedure:

(a) Perform the sandhya and all other routine rituals.
(b) Sit down facing the East direction.
(c) Say the sankalpa “Bhishmashtami Punyakale Bhishma Tharpanam karishye"
(d) Having Yajnopavita in Nivita mode, offer arghyam by both hands in pure water without mixing tila and chanting the following Shlokas

Bhishmah Santanavo Virah Satyavsdi Jitendriyah l
Abhiradbhiravapnotu Putrapautrocitam Kriyam ll
Bhishmaya Namah Idam Arghyam l

Vaiyaghrapada Gotraya Sankritya Pravaraya Cha l
Aputraya Dadamyarghyam Salilam Bhishma Varmane ll
Bhishmaya Namah Idam Arghyam l

Gangaputraya Santaya Santanoh Atmajaya Cha l
Aputraya Dadamyarghyam Salilam Bhishma Varmane ll
Bhishmaya Namah Idam Arghyam l

Anena Arghyapradanena Bhishmah Priyatam ll