Why did Bhishma Pitamah lie on the bed of arrows for 58 days, what auspicious moment was he waiting for to die: Bhishma Pitamah Story

Bhishma Pitamah Story: Most people know about the Mahabharata war. It is considered the most gruesome war in history. Bhishma Pitah is the most important character among the many characters of Mahabharata. It is said that Bhishma Pitamah had the boon of voluntary death. That means he could choose the date and time of his death whenever he wanted. But a time came when he died on a bed of arrows. However, this also happened as per the wish of Bhishma Pitamah. He continued to suffer unbearable pain for a long time on the bed of arrows, but even after this he waited for 58 days to sacrifice his life. Whereas Bhishma Pitamah had the boon of voluntary death. If he wanted, he could have sacrificed his life immediately without suffering unbearable pain, then why did he lie on the bed of arrows for 58 days. After all, let us know which auspicious moment Bhishma Pitamah was waiting for to die.

The fierce Mahabharata war started between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, in which Bhishna Pitamah, being distracted from his duties, was on the side of the Kauravas in the war. Grandfather Bhishma was a big challenge for the Pandavas to win the war and it was not possible to win the war without defeating him. On the 10th day of the Mahabharata war that lasted for 18 days, Arjun showered his arrows on Bhishma Pitamah. His body was pierced by Arjun's arrows and he was badly injured. But despite this he did not sacrifice his life.

were waiting for the sun to rise

One of the reasons why Bhishma Pitamah remained on the bed of arrows for 58 days is said to be that he was waiting for the sun's Uttarayan to sacrifice his life. When Arjun injured Bhishma Pitamah with arrows, the Sun was in Dakshinayan. That is why it is said that Bhishma Pitamah waited a long time for the sun to rise and lay on a bed of arrows for 58 days.

Actually, there is a belief in Hindu religion that if someone dies when the Sun is in Uttarayan, then he attains salvation. When a person dies during the Uttarayan of the Sun, he attains salvation and becomes free from the bondage of birth and death. Therefore, using his boon of euthanasia, Bhishma Pitamah sacrificed his life at the auspicious time after the Sun entered Capricorn.

On this day, Bhishma, the grandfather, gave up his life

After lying on a bed of arrows for 58 days in the Mahabharata war, Bhishma Pitamah sacrificed his life on the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Magh month. Therefore this day is celebrated every year as Bhishma Ashtami. Many people also perform Ekodishta Shraddha on this date for the ancestors.