Every year Ekodishta Shraddha is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Magh month. Bhishma Ashtami is celebrated on this auspicious occasion. It is contained in the Sanatan scriptures that the great warrior of Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah, gave up his body on the Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Magh month. Bhishma Ashtami is celebrated on this auspicious occasion.

According to astrologers, many auspicious yogas are being formed on Bhishma Ashtami. By worshipping Lord Vishnu, the Lord of the world, in these yogas, every wish of the devotee will be fulfilled. Along with this, one will get freedom from Pitra Dosh. On this day, tarpan and pinddaan are done for the ancestors. This gives salvation to the ancestors. The last rites of Bhishma Pitamah were performed by the Pandavas. But do you know when and who gave the boon of Iccha Mrityu to Bhishma Pitamah ? Come, let's know everything about it-

Who was Bhishma Pitamah?

Bhishma Pitamah was a great warrior of Mahabharata. His father's name was Maharaja Shantanu and his mother was Ganga. Mother Ganga gave birth to Bhishma Pitamah. Bhishma Pitamah's name in childhood was Devvrat. Devvrat was a great warrior since childhood. He not only had immense strength like his father, but also perseverance. Because of this, he is also called Pitamah.

When did you take your last breath?

It is contained in the Sanatan scriptures that in the war of Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah supported the Kauravas and fought on the Kauravas' side. He led the Kauravas. There was a time when the archer Arjun refused to attack Bhishma Pitamah. At that time Lord Krishna made him aware of the future. In this, he gave information about the death of Bhishma Pitamah's previous and present birth.

Then Arjuna fought with Pitamah. In this war, Pitamah Bhishma was injured by Arjuna's arrows. However, due to the Sun being in the southern direction, Bhishma Pitamah did not give up his life. When the Sun was in the northern direction, Bhishma Pitamah gave up his body. Pitamah Bhishma took his last breath on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of Magh month.

Who gave the boon of voluntary death?

It is contained in Sanatan scriptures that Maharaja Shantanu gave the boon of Iccha Mrityu to his son Devvrat. He gave this boon after being pleased with Bhishma's vow of remaining unmarried throughout his life. If we believe the religious experts, Bhishma had pledged to remain unmarried throughout his life to get his father Shantanu married to Satyavati. In simple words, Pitamah Bhishma had promised his father that he would not marry throughout his life. Pleased with his devotion towards his father, Maharaja Shantanu gave the boon of Iccha Mrityu to his son Devvrat.