Swami Sivananda and Bhishma Dev's Illustrious Mahasamadhis
The Bhagavad Gita (8:24) states: “Those who know the Supreme Brahman and who depart from this world during the six months of the sun’s northern course, the bright fortnight of the moon, and the bright part of the day attain the supreme destination.” Lord Krishna explains that those who know Brahman attain the Supreme by departing from the body during the northern course of the sun ( Uttarayana ), during the daytime and the bright fortnight of the moon, under the presiding influences of fire and light. Uttarayana refers to the northern path, or the path of light. Traditionally, it denotes the six-month period from approximately the middle of January to the middle of July, associated with the sun’s northern course. This is regarded as an especially auspicious period, and it is said that yogis may consciously await such a time to leave the body, since departure during this period is associated with liberation. The Chandogya Upanishad , Kaushitaki Upanishad ...
