Bhishma
Ashtami is an important ritual observed by Hindus as part of their respect to
legendary Bhishma. As per the incidents related to Mahabharata, Bhishma is
regarded as the youngest son of King Shantanu and Ganga Devi. According to the
Hindu mythology, Ganga agreed to marry Shantanu only on the condition that he
will never question her for whatever she does. However, seven of the eight
children were drowned in River Ganga as per a curse about which King Shantanu
was unaware of. Out of agony, he finally asks Ganga why she is drowning all
kids in such a ruthless manner. As Shantanu protested breaking his word, Ganga
leaves him by offering Bhishma to him.
Ardent
devotees belonging to the Hindu community are known to take Bhishma Ashtami
Snan, which falls on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of Magh month as per
the Lunar calendar. People observe Bhishmashtami Fast on this very day as part
of paying their tribute to King Bhishma. Perhaps, the king himself had chosen
this day for his death after he was left on a bed of arrows by Arjun during the
Mahabharata war. Bhishma, who was a Bal Bramhachari and an ancestor to
Kauravas, he never married in his life and remained a bachelor throughout.
Legend Associated with Bhishma
Ashtami
Bhishma
s birth name is was DevaVrata. As he grew up, Ganga took him along with her to
Daitya Guru Shukracharya to teach him all the skills needed. Eventually, he
learnt the incomparable art of fighting because of which he earned the unique
distinction of never getting defeated as long as he was waging a war in the
battlefield. As time passed by, King Shantanu married Satyavati after getting
enchanted by her beauty. However, she agreed to be his queen only on the
condition that her son would be made king and not Bhishma. Shantanu agreed
reluctantly to this on the insistence of Bhishma.
During
the war phase in Mahabharata, he chose to take the sides of Kauravas and
decided to fight against Pandavas against his will. Lord Krishna employs the
tactic of pitting Shikandi against him as King Bhishma had pledged that he
would never fight against a eunuch. Eventually, he was confined to the deathbed
for a period of 18 days after he reached the divine abode. The day when he died
is observed as Bhishma Ashtami. People consider this day important and
prominent for practicing celibacy.
Importance of Bhishma Ashtami
People who would like to get rid of the putradosha (lack of a child) find this day as the most significant one for sure. Childless couples and newly married couples who look forward to having a son consider this day to be most auspicious to observe Vrata (fast). Performing a Tarpan on this day will eventually consummate the fast kept by people in this regard. Perhaps, it is considered for offering peace to Bhishma Pitamaha’s soul. It is widely believed that by seeking the blessings of Bhishma on the day, it is possible to have a male child who is equally capable of being a pitamaha himself.