BheeshmaAshtami (Bheeshma Niryaana)

BHEESHMA-ASHTAMI

(Maagha Sukla Ashtami)

Bheeshmaastami is associated with Bheeshma Pitamaha, one of the most respected and grandiose character of the Epic Mahabharata. It was on this day Bheeshma had his last breath and this day is commemorated as the day of his Niryaana.

Bheeshmaastami occurs on 8th day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) in Magha Masam as per Hindu Lunar Calendar that usually falls during the months of January – February, a day after the Sun centric festival Ratha Sapthami.

Generally, it is impossible for human beings to know the exact time of birth and death, but in Bheeshma’s case he could set time for his soul to depart.

·        How could this happen?

·        Who was Bheeshma in his previous birth?

·        What was his lineage?

·        Why should we pay our obeisance and salutations to him on this day?

Bheeshma originally named as Devavratha was one of the Ashta Vasus (Demi Gods) called by name Dyau or Prabhas (as per some texts), who took birth on this Earth due to a curse given by the Sage Vasishta.

He was born as the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu (s/o of Pratipa) of the Lunar Dynasty and Ganga Devi (Holy River Goddess Ganga). Shantanu was Varuna Avathara;

Later he came to be known popularly as Bheeshma when he made a ferocious pledge (Bheeshma Pratighna) to be a bachelor for life to facilitate his father Shantanu to marry Sathyavathi.

He was also known by the other names such as...

Ganga Putra, Gaangeya, and Bheeshmaachaarya;

BheeshmaAchaarya was a disciple of Lord Parashurama;

Why did Bheeshma choose this day for his Niryaana?

When Bheeshma made a solemn pledge and stood by that, his father Shantanu was very much pleased and in gratitude of his son’s sacrifice he gave him a boon that he (Bheeshma) would die when he (Bheeshma) wishes - Ichcha Marana (at one's own will/choice).

Though Bheeshmaachaarya fell down in the war on 10th day after the commencement of the great Kurukshetra; he eagerly and patiently waited for 58 days on the bed of arrows before departing from this world. He waited for the onset of Uttarayana; the most auspicious period for a soul to depart.

Even after the onset of Uttarayana he waited for the day of Ratha Sapthami the day on which Sun’s movement takes a definite effect northward and on the next day Bheeshma invoked his father’s boon and died.

Thus, Bheeshma is said to have died in the constellation of Rohini Nakshathra; on the 68th day after the commencement of Kurukshetra war; that day happened to be Sukla Paksha Ashtami thithi in the lunar month Maagha maasam.

Why should we pay obeisance & salutations to Bheeshma?

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.

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 (Bheeshma) 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.

Bheeshmaachaarya re-established Hari Sarvottamatva;

Though his end was very painful having fallen on the bed of arrows, 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! in the divine presence of the Supreme God.

Bheeshma Ekaadasi Vs Bheeshma Niryaana

Ekaadasi thithi succeeding Bheeshma Niryaana (Bheeshmaashtami) is named after Bheeshmaachaarya as a mark of respect to the noble soul, and is called 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 this day of Ekaadasi. It was on the day of Ashtami thithi the day succeeding Ratha Sapthami that Bheeshma Niryana took place.

Hence, Bheeshma Ekaadasi and Bheeshma Niryana are not interrelated.

What is to be done on this day?

Ø Bheeshma Tharpana & Arghya…

Tharpana Manthra…

वैयाघ्रपादगोत्राय सांकृत्यप्रवराय च ।

गंगापुत्राय भीष्माय आजन्मब्रह्मचारिणे ।

अपुत्राय जलं दद्यां नमो भीष्माय वर्मणे ।

भीष्म: शांतनवो वीर: सत्यवादी जितेंद्रिय: ।

आभीरद्भिरवाप्नोतु पुत्रपौत्रोचितां क्रियाम् ।

వైయాఘ్రపాదగోత్రాయ సాంకృత్యప్రవరాయ చ |

గంగాపుత్రాయ భీష్మాయ ఆజన్మబ్రహ్మచారిణే |

అపుత్రాయ జలం దద్యాం నమో భీష్మాయ వర్మణే |

భీష్మ: శాంతనవో వీర: సత్యవాదీ జితేంద్రియ: |

ఆభీరద్భిరవాప్నోతు పుత్రపౌత్రోచితాం క్రియామ్ |

ವೈಯಾಘ್ರಪಾದಗೋತ್ರಾಯ ಸಾಂಕೃತ್ಯಪ್ರವರಾಯ ಚ |

ಗಂಗಾಪುತ್ರಾಯ ಭೀಷ್ಮಾಯ ಆಜನ್ಮಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಾರಿಣೇ |

ಅಪುತ್ರಾಯ ಜಲಂ ದದ್ಯಾಂ ನಮೋ ಭೀಷ್ಮಾಯ ವರ್ಮಣೇ |

ಭೀಷ್ಮ: ಶಾಂತನವೋ ವೀರ: ಸತ್ಯವಾದೀ ಜಿತೇಂದ್ರಿಯ: |

ಆಭೀರದ್ಭಿರವಾಪ್ನೋತು ಪುತ್ರಪೌತ್ರೋಚಿತಾಂ ಕ್ರಿಯಾಮ್ |

Vyyaaggrapaadagothraaya Saankruthya Pravaraayacha;

Ganga Putraaya Bheeshmaaya Aajanma Brahmachaarine

Aputraaya Jalam Daddyaam Namo Bheeshmaaya Varmane;

Bheeshmah Saanthanavoh Veerah Sathyavaadi Jitendriyah

Aabhiradbhiravaapnothu Putra Pouthrochithaam Kriyaam;

(Bheeshmaaya Namaha - Bheeshmam Tharpayaami)

Arghya Manthra…

वसूनामवताराय शंतनोरात्मजाय च ।

अर्घ्यं ददामि भीष्माय अबालब्रह्मचारिणे ।

ವಸೂನಾಮವತಾರಾಯ ಶಂತನೋರಾತ್ಮಜಾಯ ಚ |

ಅರ್ಘ್ಯಂ ದದಾಮಿ ಭೀಷ್ಮಾಯ ಅಬಾಲಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಾರಿಣೇ |

వసూనామవతారాయ శంతనోరాత్మజాయ చ |

అర్ఘ్యం దదామి భీష్మాయ అబాలబ్రహ్మచారిణే |

Vasunaamavatharaya Santhanoraathmajaayacha

Arghyam dadami Bheeshmaaya Aabalabrahmachaarine;

(Gangaputhraaya Bheeshmaaya Idamarghyam)

Arghya should be given with water after performing Aaachamanam;

All eligible (those who have lost their father) should give Thila tharpana with black thila seeds by reciting the above manthra with Yagnopaveetham in apasavya position.

Where, father is alive it should be performed in Savya position with rice. This is stated as Nitya Karma to be performed by all.

Apart from giving Tharpana and Arghya to Bheeshma one can also recite Sri Vishnu SahasraNama Stothra in honour of its composer.

Hari SArvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri GuruRaajo Vijayate