Festivals Via Feminist Lens: Observe Bhishma Ashtami For Its Antiquity Not Its Patriarchy

Bhishma Ashtami Vrat is observed as the auspicious day when Bhishma Pitamaha of Mahabharata chose to depart to heaven. Bhishma Pitamaha had the boon of ichcha mrityu (death by choice). This day mainly falls on Shukla paksha of Magha month in the Hindu calendar which appears between January and February of English calendar.

How is it celebrated?

Bhishma Ashtami Vrat is celebrated all over India and abroad. On this day, devotees take a holy bath in Ganga and offer rice and sesame seeds to the river since Bhishma Pitamaha was the son of Goddess Ganga and Kuru king Shantanu. Devotees also observe a day-long fast. There are other different rituals that different communities practice to pay homage to Bhishma Pitama and seek his blessings. For example, in West Bengal, a special puja is performed to commemorate Bhishma on this day. Some devotees also perform ‘Ekodishta Shraddha’ on this day to honour Bhishma Pitamaha. It is believed that this ritual can be performed by only those whose fathers aren't alive. However, now every one practices this custom. Bhishma Ashtami is also marked by the ritual of tarpan in which the devotees remember and pay homage to their own ancestors along with Bhishma Pitamaha.

Also Read: 13 Indian Patriarchal Festivals That Each Feminist Should Question

The story behind Bhishma Ashtami

It is believed that Bhishma Pitamaha, the patriarch of Kuru clan was granted the boon of ichcha mrityu for his bravery and virtues. He had also vowed celibacy and dedicated his entire life serving the kingdom. However, he was unexpectedly shot by Arjuna in Mahabharata. But Bhishma didn't depart from his body and earth immediately and waited for the auspicious day of Bhishma Ashtami. Till then, he laid on the battleground on a bed of pierced arrows and gave moral lessons to Pandavas and Kauravas.

Watching from the festival lens

It is not wrong to remember and honour historic personalities and works. But does it mean that we imbibe or reiterate the problematic ideologies they embodied? Bhishma Pitamaha was undoubtedly a respectable warrior and prince. But there are instances where his patriarchal mindset took charge and pushed the righteous and intellectual man to the backseat. The most prominent was his toxic silence when the Pandavas pawned Draupadi for a game who was eventually disrobed by Dussashan in front of Bhishma and other elder members of the family. If Bhishma was a righteous and enlightened person, what blinded him to the injustice that was meted out to Draupadi? Why didn't he use his maturity and authority to stop Pandavas and Kauravas from insulting Draupadi? So if we are remembering Bhishma and honouring him for his deeds, we need to be critical enough to know and question his wrongs.

Moreover, the story of Bhishma's death should also remind us of Shikhandi, the only woman or transgender (as per some interpretations) in Mahabharata. Shikhandi is an important character not only because she was the only non-male warrior on the battlefield but also because she was the woman who questioned the validity of Bhishma's vow of celibacy. Shikhandi was the reincarnation of Princess Amba, eldest daughter of King Kashi. Amba and her two younger sisters were abducted by Bhishma to marry his sick brother. But Amba refused to marry because she loved Salva who later rejected her on the grounds that she was touched by another man (Bhishma). Subsequently, Amba demanded Bhishma to marry her. She questioned that if he had vowed to not be with women, who gave him the right to touch and abduct her. When Bhishma remained adamant on his vow, Amba killed herself to be reincarnated as Shikhandi and be the cause of his death.

Therefore, when we remember and respect the history for its antiquity, let us not revive the patriarchy that it perpetuates. We have come a long way in our battle against patriarchy and we cannot afford to go back to where we started by inheriting the old traditions without raising any questions on its relevance.

Also Read: Chhat Puja: A Festival That Connects Devotees With The Nature