Bhishma Ashtami 2026: Why Bhishma Waited 2 Months for Death on Arrow Bed

• Gangaputra Bhishma, a key Mahabharata character, fought for the Kauravas due to his vow to protect Hastinapur's throne.
• On the 10th day of the war, Arjuna pierced Bhishma with arrows, but he did not die immediately, instead lying on a bed of arrows.
• Bhishma possessed the boon of Ichha Mrityu, allowing him to choose the time of his death.
• He waited for two months for the Sun to enter Uttarayana, as dying in Dakshinayana prevents moksha (liberation from rebirth).
• Bhishma's father, King Shantanu, granted him Ichha Mrityu as a boon for his selfless vow of celibacy to ensure Satyavati's son became king.

Why It Matters: Bhishma's two-month wait for death on an arrow bed was a strategic choice for moksha, enabled by Ichha Mrityu.