Bheeshma Ashtami Tarpana Slokam

vaiyāghrapādagōtrāya sāṃkṛtyapraṇārayā ca |

gaṅgāputrāya bhīṣmāya ājanmaḥ brahmacāriṇē || 1 ||

bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavō vīraḥ satyavādī jitēndriyaḥ |

ābhiradbhiravāpnōtu putrapautrōcitāṃ kriyām || 2 ||

vasūnāmāvatārāya śaṃtanōrātmajāya ca |

arghyaṃ dadāmi bhīṣmāya ājanmaḥ brahmacāriṇē || 3 ||

bhīṣmāya namaḥ idamargyamidamargyamidamargyam ||

English Translation

Invocation: Salutations to the son of Gaṅgā (Bhīṣma). Śānti (peace) spoke:

Verse 1: Salutations to Bhīṣma of the Vyāghrapāda lineage, of the Sāṅkṛtya gotra, son of Gaṅgā, the lifelong brahmachārī (celibate).

Verse 2: May Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, the heroic warrior, speaker of truth, master of the senses, obtain through the offerings the befitting honors from sons and grandsons.

Verse 3: I offer arghya (respectful offering) to Bhīṣma, the incarnation of the Vasus, the son of Śāntanu, the lifelong brahmachārī.

Verse 4: Salutations to Bhīṣma. This is the offering, this is the offering, this is the offering.

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Notes

About Bhīṣma Ashtamī

Bhīṣma Ashtamī is an auspicious day observed in honor of Bhīṣma Pitāmaha, the grand-uncle of the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas in the Mahābhārata. It falls on the eighth day (Ashtamī) of the bright fortnight of Māgha month (usually January-February).

Significance

1. Bhīṣma's Death Anniversary: According to the Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma lay on a bed of arrows for 58 days after being wounded by Arjuna. He had been granted the boon of icchā-mṛtyu (death at will). He chose to leave his body on this auspicious day.

2. Pitṛ Tarpaṇa: This day is considered highly meritorious for offering oblations to ancestors (tarpaṇa). Bhīṣma, being a devout son who never married to fulfill his father's wish, is considered an ideal ancestor.

3. Procedures:

   • Arghya (offering of water, sandalwood, flowers) is offered to Bhīṣma

   • Tarpaṇa (water oblations) is offered to ancestors

   • Fasting is observed on this day

   • The Bhīṣma Ashtamī vrata is observed by devotees

4. Benefits:

   • Removal of sins

   • Long life (as mentioned in the verses)

   • Blessings of ancestors

   • Spiritual merit