Bhishma Leaves His Body at Uttarayana

Days passed. When the sun turned north, in Uttarayana, Yudhishthira went to Kurukshetra with his brothers, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti, Krishna and the people of the city. They also brought what was needed for Bhishma's last rites.

Bhishma opened his eyes and said, 'Yudhishthira, it is good you have come. I have lain on these arrows for fifty-eight nights; it feels like a hundred years. Now the bright half of the month of Magh has come.' He told Dhritarashtra not to grieve and to treat the Pandavas as his own sons.

Then Bhishma folded his hands towards Krishna: 'Lord, give me leave to go.' Krishna lovingly gave his permission. One last time Bhishma told them all, 'Hold on to truth. Truth is the greatest strength.'

Then, through yoga, Bhishma drew his life-breath in from each part of his body. Wherever it left, the arrows fell away by themselves and the wounds closed. At last his life rose out through the crown of his head and shot into the sky like a meteor. The gods showered flowers.

The Pandavas performed his last rites with sandalwood and silk. On the bank of the river, Mother Ganga herself rose from the water and wept for her son. Krishna comforted her: 'Mother, your son has returned to his own home among the Vasus.' He is still remembered on Bhishma Ashtami.