Bhishma’s Redemption on Ratha Saptami
Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, is revered for his unwavering commitment to dharma. His final moments on the battlefield of Kurukshetra are a testament to the depths of his virtue. Yet even the greatest warrior must confront the consequences of actions not taken. The story of how Bhishma sought redemption on Ratha Saptami—an auspicious day dedicated to the Sun god—offers profound lessons on responsibility, penance, and divine grace.
Bhishma’s Dilemma
In the aftermath of the great war, Bhishma lay on a bed of arrows, struck down by his own grandsire, Shikhandi. The day marked the beginning of Uttarayan (the northward journey of the Sun), a time when Bhishma had vowed he would release his mortal coil. Despite his virtuous life and strict adherence to dharma, he found himself unable to pass into liberation. Puzzled, he questioned the cosmic order: having never committed any grievous wrongdoing, why was he not free to attain moksha?
Advice from Veda Vyasa
Veda Vyasa, the sage who set the events of the Mahabharata in motion, arrived at Bhishma’s side. Listening intently to Bhishma’s lament, Vyasa explained that true righteousness extends beyond personal conduct. It also demands active opposition to injustice when witnessed. Bhishma had stood by silently when Draupadi was humiliated in the court of Hastinapura. Though his mind and heart recognized the atrocity, he refrained from intervening. This omission, Vyasa noted, weighed heavily upon Bhishma’s soul. The path to liberation would require atonement for that moment of failure.
Surya’s Guidance
Vyasa directed Bhishma to pray to Surya, the Sun god, who holds the power to cleanse past errors. Bhishma, lying motionless, raised his folded hands in prayer toward the rising sun. His devotion moved Surya, who appeared in radiant form. Surya explained that inaction in the face of sin creates a spiritual burden. To overturn the effects of such omissions, he prescribed a special ritual involving seven erukkai leaves (Calotropis gigantea). These leaves would symbolize the different facets of unintentional wrongdoing: sins of the body, mind, and speech; transgressions from current and previous births; and wrongful acts committed knowingly and unknowingly.
Ritual of Seven Leaves
Surya instructed Bhishma to place one erukkai leaf on his head, one on each eye, one on each shoulder, and one on each foot. With each placement, Bhishma was to silently reflect on the category of omission represented by that leaf. The leaf on the head signified sins of intellect; those on the eyes recalled failures of perception; the shoulder leaves stood for burdens carried through past lifetimes; and the leaves on the feet represented the paths taken without righteous intervention. As Bhishma methodically arranged the leaves, he chanted mantras praising Surya’s purifying radiance. With each mantra, he felt a subtle lifting of the weight upon his soul.
Significance of Ratha Saptami
Ratha Saptami falls on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Magha. It symbolizes the chariot of the sun turning toward the northern hemisphere, ushering in longer days and new beginnings. Performing this ritual on Ratha Saptami aligns one’s penance with the sun’s own journey toward rejuvenation. For Bhishma, it was the opportune moment to shed the lingering karmic debts of his silence. As the sun reached its zenith, Bhishma’s heart brimmed with humility and atonement, and he felt ready to embrace liberation.
Final Thoughts
Through this profound act of penance, Bhishma demonstrated that true dharma requires more than personal righteousness; it demands courage to act against injustice whenever it arises. On Ratha Saptami, aided by the divine grace of Surya, Bhishma finally released his mortal coil and attained the peace he had long sought. His story continues to inspire generations, reminding us that atonement and divine blessing can overcome even the deepest regrets of omission.