Sri Guru Gita – 16 February 2014 – Episode 59

Jaya Guru Datta Sri Appaji _/\_!!
Humble pranams at the lotus feet of Our Karuna Sagara Sadgurudeva _/\_!!

Jaya Guru Datta Sri Swamiji _/\_!!

i want your blessing

Jaya Guru Datta. English summary:

Jaya Guru Datta.
We discussed that Mother Ganga fulfilled the name Tripathaga given to her. We also discussed that such a powerful Mother Ganga made a great resolve to uphold Dharma in the world and to help prevent people from swerving from Dharma. According to that resolve, in Dwapara Yuga, she became wife to Shantanu. She dedicated her son to protecting Dharma. The original name given to this son of Ganga was Devavrata. He inherited all her spiritual wealth. According to his mother’s orders, he learned all knowledge from Sage Vasishtha. He received knowledge of weaponry and warfare from Sage Parashurama, eventually becoming capable of defeating the sage himself. To please his father, he undertook a vow of lifelong celibacy. He undertook such a fierce (bheeshana) vow that everyone in the world marveled at him. That’s how he got the name Bheeshma (from bheeshana).

He emerged victorious in many dangerous situations owing to his strict adherence to Dharma. That is why his fame spread even wider. If we try to understand Mahabharata or read it or try to study the text, we understand the principle of Bheeshma. The blessing of Mother Ganga eternally shined on Bheeshma and he realized many powers, just like Mother Ganga did. By pleasing his father, he received a boon of death-by-will. Bheeshma is credited with the virtue of having Lord Krishna pick up a weapon even though the Lord had resolved not to.

Wishing for victory to Dharma, he reclined on the bed the arrows during the Mahabharata battle. Even at that time, he didn’t forget his mother. Even though he became very powerful, he never forgot his god-like Mother. At that time, to propagate Dharma in the world, he taught Dharmaraja many principles of Dharma. He blessed Dharmaraja with all siddhis and preached to him the Vishnu Sahasra Nama. He led the life of a Yogi.

His life is a beautiful example to Yogis. Such a brave and yogic state is highly commended. By the grace of his Guru who was also his mother, he was victorious in every situation, there was no question of defeat. It is said that by merely remembering Ganga while taking a bath, one’s sins get washed away and one becomes victorious. So, would Ganga’s son not be victorious? Tell me.

Towards the end of his life, such a great Bheeshma was blessed with the fortune of Lord Krishna’s darshan. While in the presence of Lord Krishna, he became one with Him. He had such great fortune, that he merged with the Lord right there. That is why, Bheeshma became one among the greatest devotees of Vishnu. Remembering him brings us merit. That is why elders observe the Bheeshma Ekadasi that occurs in February each year with great devotion and dedication. You can also go to Brahma Loka like he did.