[GHHF] Bala Samskar Kendras – Students learned about Bhishmacharya, his birth, his role in Mahabharata and how the name Bhishma Ekadashi came along.
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is committed to teach the richness of Mahabharata, greatness of Bhishma and the essence of Dharma. Our Itihasasa are replete with morals, ethics and principles that have guided Bharath for thousands and thousands of years. Our students are taught about Bhishma and his contribution to relevance of Dharma for the modern world.
The glory of Bhishma Pitamaha, the founder of this auspicious day, is infinite. In other words, the glory of that great man cannot be compared with anyone else. Magha Shuddha Ekadashi, which is very dear to Sri Maha Vishnu, was given to him as a gift by that lord and called Bhishma Ekadashi.
Liberate by reciting Vishnu Sahasra Nama!
If you fast on Bhishma Ekadashi and recite Vishnu Sahasra Nama, you will attain moksha. Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama was dedicated to Lord Krishna on Magha Suddha Ekadashi by Bhishma. It is known that the whole world is currently praying to Krishna with Bhishma's Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namas (names). Those who chant Vishnu's Sahasra Nama daily will be successful in their planned activities and attain salvation.
Also, even if you don't read Vishnu's Sahasra Namas, even if you at least hear them, the troubles will be removed easily. It is our tradition to consider Ekadashi as a fasting day every month. Among them 'Magha Ekadashi' is the most sacred. But there is something special about this Ekadashi called 'Bhishma Ekadashi'.
Magha Suddha Ashtami is the day when Bhishmacharya, the 'Mahabhagavata Shikhamani', was liberated. It has become a tradition to treat Maga Shuddha Ekadashi as Bhishma Ekadashi.
History of Bhishma is a peak in India. Bhishma is very fearsome- the epitome of ferocity.
He attained holiness by demonstrating this ferocity in the restraint of the senses and in conquering the celestial enemies.
This Mahatma, who was called Devavratha, adopted Ajanma Brahmacharya for the sake of his father as a patriot. If Sri Rama was an exemplary man who obeyed his father's words, Bhishmacharya was a great man who renounced his throne to seek his father's pleasure and practiced birth celibacy.
A legendary man who recited Vishnu Sahasra Nama kirtan from Ampasayana himself and Maga Shuddha Ekadashi, the favorite of that lord, was accorded as a gift in his name.
Birth story...
According to Adiparvam in Mahabharata, Bhishma was one of the Ashtavasus who were cursed in his previous birth. Goddess Ganga appeared to those who had gone to earth to raise mankind.
The Vasus, thinking that it would be better if they were born in that mother's womb, spoke to Ganga Mata and asked her to merge them in her and grant them salvation.
Gangamma agreed to that and asked that only one child be born with a long life. The first seven vasus of Sarenana poured part of their life into the last vasus.
Shantan falls in love with Ganga Devi who has come down to earth in human form. He says he will marry her. Then Ganga marries Shantan on the condition that 'no matter what I do, don't stop me, the moment I say that I will leave you'. After that, Goddess Ganga starts milking every child born to them.
Shantan, who has endured seven times, spares her for the eighth time. Ganga wants to make a deal with Shantanu who intercepted her. She takes the child with her saying that she will raise the child and give it to her husband. He is Bhishma.
Bhishma is the embodiment of Dharma.
It was Dwapara Yuga, Sobhakritu year, Maga Shuddha Ashtami Bhishma became united with Lord Narayana while he was glowing with intense rays... at that mid-day (in Abhijitlagnam) while glorifying Sri Maha Vishnu.
The day that legendary man died... Bhishashtami. According to the boon given by Krishna before his death, the Ekadashi that comes three days later is known as Bhishma Ekadashi after the old man. Bhishma plays an important role in Mahabharata. Any royal child is naturally obsessed with the throne. But Bhishma was able to conquer that passion at a young age. Knowing his father's desire to marry Dasaraja's daughter Satyavati, he arranges the marriage.
If Dasaraju doubts that his daughter's children will not have royal yoga while Bhishma is around, he vows not to marry at all. Among the children born to her, Chitrangada dies in a battle with the Gandharvas.
The second son Vichitraveerya is a tuberculosis patient. He cannot find anyone to give him a child. And then Bhishmu himself undertakes. If Kasiraju declares Swayamvaram to his three daughters, he will go there and forcefully take those tears. Amba, the eldest of the three, finds out that she is already in love with another hero and leaves her alone. He gives the other two to Vichitraveeryudu and marries them. Unfortunately, he passed away.
Satyavati asks Bhishma to protect the clan by giving birth to Ambika and Ambalika. Ganga Putra is bound by his vow, denying the chance of getting two wives along with the throne.
Through Vyasa, Dhritarashtra, who is blind to Ambika Ambalika, is born Panduraja. Bhishma also played a key role in their marriages. Gandhara brings his daughter Gandhari and gives her to Dhritarashtra in marriage.
Bhishma is seen as observing Dharma even if Draupadi is insulted in the full house and ignores it. Draupadi, while teaching Yudhisthira, asks, 'What are these virtues when you are insulting me in the full assembly?' 'On that day I was bound by Raj Dharma. Bhishma replies, 'I am their guardian and servant.'
Even though he has the boon to die whenever he wants, Bhishma feels that drying his body on Ampasaya for many days is an atonement for that sin.
After the battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna took Dharmaraja to Bhishma and taught him Dharma because he was an exemplary person who never wavered even in elections.
It is known that in the last days one can get salvation only by doing Harinam Smarana. Such was the fortunate Bhishma who glorified Vasudeva with many names. It is special that they later became known as Vishnusahasranamas.
That's why devotees believe that reciting Vishnusahasranama on Magashuddha Ashtamina, the day Bhishma died, and on the next Ekadashi, will bring all good fortune.
'Bhishmapratijna' is very famous in the entire world... Bhishma, who is known as Satyanishtha, is neutral in the decision of Dharma Adharma in some cases, but behind them there is the knowledge of divine will and the subtleties of Dharma. Nirmala and Bhishma punished themselves in 'Ampasaya' even for forgetting those few occasions.
This sacred history, which is known as the epitome of sensual restraint and truthfulness, was struck down by arrows in the battle with Arjuna.
He spent some time as a bed of arrows. At that time all the sages surrounded him.
As part of Vishnu's plan for the protection of the world, this form of Vasu came down to earth as Sarva Dharmalanidhi, Trikala jnana, and acted in accordance with the divine will with this 'Trikala Jnana' characteristic.
He was in yoga meditating on Lord Krishna while he was on Ampasaya. When a righteous man was leaving the world, Krishna, who decided to pass on the wealth of knowledge to future generations, reached Bhishma, who was humbled by the princes of righteousness.
It was Krishna's will that the experience of visiting many worlds in a great period of time, and the knowledge of the Dharma that had nurtured the sciences should not perish with him.
He ordered Yudhisthira to give all the wealth of Dharma to Yudhisthira, who took up the responsibility of ruling. Bhishma begged Lord Krishna to explain the virtues as he was battle-weary and wounded, unable to concentrate his mind and explain things in minute detail.
But Mukunda spoke, "Grandfather! I bless you with amazing physical and intellectual powers. With them, you can pass on the subtleties of Dharma to your grandson."
A generation should pass on to its next generation not only Dharma, knowledge, experience, but also possessions. This message is the essence of Bhishma's preaching to Darmaja.
Then Bhishma preached Sukshadharma and Moksha Dharma in Shanti and Anushasanaika Parvas of Mahabharata. If Mahabharata is the essence of the Vedas, these two Parvas are the essence of India.
In this, governance dharma, royal dharma, personal dharma, secularism, Upasana secrets, philosophy... all are seen together. That is, Bhishma once again proved himself to be a complete human being through this teaching.
Philosophical thinking, religious devotion, devotion, sensuality - these qualities made Bhishma very dear to the Lord.
Acharya is one who practices and practices. A great festival was created in his name.
Bhagavad Gita is part of Mahabharata. Salutations to Bhishmacharya who is remembered by the entire nation.
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