Bhishma Ekadashi with Sanatana Gangaputras – Fishermen…

Chilkur Balaji Temple is planning Bhishma Ekadashi

Chilkur Balaji Temple is planning to initiate grand celebrations of Bhishma Ekadashi with Sanatana Sampradaya Gangaputras or Fishermen community on a large scale in both the Telugu states this year onwards. A meeting with the elders of the community was held in the Chilkur Balaji Temple today to chalk out the program for the day which falls on 23rd February this year.

While speaking with the Community elders and members, C S Rangarajan the Chief Archaka and convenor Temples protection Movement (TPM) enunciated the greatness of Bhishma Pitamaha and called the elders not to allow the discontinuity and disconnect with Sanatana Dharma.

Bhishma was Gangaputra and Traditional Fishermen were all Gangaputras. The community elders expressed happiness at these initiatives and vowed to participate in the festivities.

One’s predetermined karma and one’s personal effort complement each other—When fanned into flames, embers become a fire, so karma increases with effort – Bhishma Pitamaha

Bhishma fought from wrong side to keep promises he made to father

In the Mahabharata, Bhishma also known as Bhishma Pitamaha and Gangaputra Bhishma was well known for his pledge of celibacy. Originally named as ‘Devavrata‘, he was the eighth son of the Kuru King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga.

Bhishma was blessed with a boon from his father that he could choose the time of his death or he may remain immortal till he desires. He was related to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas through his half-brother, Vichitravirya (Son of Satyavati). He was one of the greatest archers and warriors of his time and was trained by Lord Vishnuś sixth avatar Parshurama. He also handed down the Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishtira when he was on his bed of arrows after the battle of Kurukshetra.

During the Kurukshetra (the great war between Kauravas and Pandava brothers), Bhishmacharya took the side where there is no righteousness. Even though Bhishmacharya knew that his choice was wrong but he stuck to his choice to keep the promises he made to his father Shantanu. Though he had the valour of not getting defeated by anybody else except Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu he got hurt in the war and vowed to die only after securing the Kuru dynasty as promised to his father. At the end of the war, all Kauravas died and Yudhishtira took over the Kuru dynasty. Yudhishtira is yet another symbol of righteousness. When Yudhishtira asked Lord Krishna to teach him the knowledge to become a good, principled, and righteous ruler, Lord Krishna advised him to seek all the knowledge from Bhishmacharya. Lord Krishna knew that Bhishmacharya was the most qualified person to give necessary education related to righteousness and duties of a good ruler.

Origin of Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama…

On Lord Krishna’s command, Bhishmacharya answered all the questions that Yudhishtira asked with regard to the duties of a good ruler and the principles of right and wrong. This conversation between Bhishmacharya and Yudhishtira is nothing but Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama… Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama contains 1000 names Lord Vishnu, and each name explains numerous attributes of the Lord in an incredible manner. Over time, many scholars wrote commentaries on Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama. The commentary written by Parashara Bhatter and Adi Shankaracharya is the most popular one among all commentaries. Listening and reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranaamam every day will bring great benefits in terms of wealth, health and prosperity. In fact, Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Sthothram is equivalent to many mantras that are powerful mantras.

Significance of Ekadashi

Ekadashi is the 11th day after each phase of the moon, i.e. full and new moon. This day is very special to Lord Vishnu and on this day the doors of Sri Vaikunta are left open for His darshanam. One can qualify for Moksham (salvation) by pleasing Lord Vishnu through fasting on the Ekadashi day. One should refrain from eating rice, grains and water on Ekadashi days. Not only that but those who fast on this day should spend the day reciting the name of Lord Vishnu, listening to his stories and performing Vishnu pooja. Through fasting and performing Vishnu puja on Ekadashi day one qualifies for a place in Sri Vaikunatam, which is the abode of Lord Vishnu…

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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C.S. RANGARAJAN

C S Rangarajan belongs to the family of Hereditary Archaka cum Trustees of the famous Sri Chilkur Balaji Venkateswara Swamy Temple of Telangana State. He completed his B.E (Biomedical Engineering) from the Osmania University in June, 1988. He was educated in Agama Sastras as well and passed Archaka Pravesha Exam in 1995. He worked in many Medical Device companies before quitting the Engineering Profession to join in the Service of the Almighty at Chilkur at an age of 35 years. He felt this was a calling of God to help the worshippers at the Temple have a better devotional experience through his service. Most important is the fact that he has been assisting his father Dr M V Soundara Rajan in running the Temples Protection Movement from Chilkur Balaji temple which has set a unique trend against Commercialisation and Politicisation of Temple worship. He assists his father in running the Trilingual Monthly Journal VAK which is the voice of Temples. He has always been striving for revival of ancient temples and has played a key role in sensitizing the devotees on the need to revive the ancient temples in their ancestral villages. He has also taken keen interest in the welfare of the society at large by not only striving for inculcating devotional spirit in the devotees visiting Chilkur temple but also ensuring that the temple plays a role in the upliftment of the weaker sections through such innovative initiatives as motivating devotees to wear handlooms on Saturdays providing support to the weavers’ community. He has also played a major role in the movement to reform the temple system and also highlighting the pitiable state of the Archaka community leading eventually to the amendment of the draconian 30/87 Andra Pradesh Endowments Act . He has been instrumental in development of the Conservation manual for the Endowments Department by REACH Foundation. His LLM Thesis is now being published by the Temples Protection Movement

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