What is the Hindu Holiday of Bhim Ashtami?

Question

according to my calendar, it occurred on February 5th, 2006. What is that?

Answer 1

Actually the spelling is: Bhismastami. The word 'ashtami' means birth celebration and the person's birth being celebrated is Bhisma. Bhisma was a prominent figure in the Mahabharata, grandfather of the Pandavas and very advanced devotee of Lord Krsna. In Vaisnavism he is considered one of the twelve Mahajanas or great saintly persons who are authorities on spiritual life. His death and the philosophical discourses he gave to his grandsons while on his death bed are a very important part of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is considered the most important literature in the canon of the Vaisnavas.