Thread by @veejaysai

Auspicious morning of Magha Shukla Ekadasi when Bheeshma, the grand old Pitamaha of the Mahabharata, revealed the greatness of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam to the Pandavas, as he lay on a bed of arrows in the war of Kurukshetra. Today is also popular as Bheeshma Ekadasi.

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Ok! Let me explain why and what.

In Shanthi Parva of Mahabharatam, we know Bheeshma decided to leave his mortal coil on the 8th phase in bright fortnight of Magha, Magha Shukla Ashtami, also known as #BheeshmaAshtami.

So why #BheeshmaEkadasi?

Read on.

Bheeshma was not his original name. He was King Devavrata. Due to the uncompromising Pratigya he took, he was addressed as 'Bheeshma'. He was also a master of Vedas and Shastras. Hence, out of everyone in the Kuru clan, he was addressed as "Bheeshmacharya" with reverence. 🙏

Before he decided to move on, Bheeshma revealed the essence of Dharmasutras and the Vishnu Sahasranamam to the Pandavas. He was an expert in Yoga and so he could hold his body on a bed of arrows for so long.

He wanted to leave his body in auspicious period of Uttarayanam.

After he left his body on Ashtami, the following Ekadasi was when a special Tarpanam was offered to him by everyone.

The five days in Magha Shukla - Ashtami- Navami- Dashami- Ekadasi- Dwadasi- are extremely auspicious and are known as 'Bheeshma Panchakam'.

Bheeshmacharya is the only one to whom Tarpanam is offered by everyone, including those who have parents. In Bharata Varsha, we believe, everyone is a descendant of this great Acharya.

It is in his honour that this Ekadasi is observed. It is also called 'Jaya Ekadasi'.

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On this very auspicious Ekadasi, chanting the Bheeshma Stuti, the Vishnu Sahasranamam and offering Tarpanam is extremely powerful for every devout Hindu. 🙂🙏

I hope the confusion is clear about why we observe #BheeshmaPanchakam and #BheeshmaEkadasi.

Jai Shree Krishna!

As Bheeshmacharya himself said in the Sahasranamam :

वनमाली गदी शार्ङ्गी शङ्खी चक्री च नन्दकी
श्रीमान्नारायणो विष्णुर्-वासुदेवोऽभिरक्षतु ||

May lord Sriman Narayana protect everyone!

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This beautiful creation by Shri @keshav61 ji for today!

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Love this beautiful work in the Nathdwara traditional style.

You see Bheeshma in the centre, surrounded by the five Pandavas, Lord Krishna, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, sage Narada, Balarama, four sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanath Kumara.

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