Note 34 — Chapter II · HEROIC GODLINGS
Reading edition
A fast is observed on the eighth day of Māgh, the anniversary of the death of Bhīshma. A dorā (a knotted piece of string) tied in the name of Bhīshma is believed to cure fever.34 The Yantra (a mystical formula or diagram) of Bhīshma is sometimes drawn on a piece of paper, water is poured over it, and the water is offered to women in labour to drink, as likely to expedite delivery. Bhīshma-worship is supposed to facilitate the observance of the Brahmacharya-vrat (the vow of celibacy) and to bestow heroism and learning.35 Bhīshma is credited with having composed the well-known poem, Bhīshma-stavarāj, which recites the glory of Krishna and shows the way to attain salvation.36