Regarding Bhisma Pancaka Vrata

[Kirtida Sundari Dasi]

From: Saroja Nanidni Devi Dasi <saroja....@gmail.com>
Date: November 13, 2013 at 2:22:56 PM EST
To: kirt...@yahoo.co.in
Subject: Regarding Bhisma Pancaka Vrata

Hare Krishna Matajis/Prabhujis,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru and Gauranga.

Bhishma Panchaka

 

This kind of 5 day fast is also prescribed for the last 5 days of Kartika (Damodara) Month and it is known as "Bhisma Pancaka". 

During that vrata puja offerings to the Lord are as prescribed.

 

Devotees may offer the following to the Deity form of the Lord:

 

On the first day, one must offer padma (lotus) flowers to the feet of the Lord

On the second day, one must offer bilva (wood-apple) leaves of the thigh of the Lord

On the third day, one must offer gandha (scents) to the navel of the Lord

On the fourth day, one must offer java flower to the shoulders of the Lord

On the fifth day, one must offer malati flower to the head (siro-desa) of the Lord

 

Reference: Garuda Puraana (op cit.)

 

Note : If you don’t get these flowers offer it mentally.  we would only focus on chanting and reading srila prabhupad's books . Those devotees who are fasting (nirjal ) can break the dvadasi fast the next day with water and fruits  and continue the ekadasi prasadam routine fast (with fruits and roots) until on Monday night after damodhar arathi (Rasapurnima day) .you should break your fast with grains and have a good feast prasadam and break. It is not a mandatory vrata , this was not followed much during srila prabhupad's time however there are a few gaudiyas who follow this vrata . -As quoted by HH Bhanu swami maharaj ,No harm if devotees who wish to follow.

 

The fasting starts on Ekadasi Day and will continue until the 2nd, Rasa purnima Day. The fasting is broken at sunset (or at moon rise) on Rasa Purnima day. Generally it is recommended to do full fast on Ekadasi and then the following four days fruits and roots fasting. Or one can do five day fruits and roots fasting.

Levels of fasting:

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Devotees can choose whichever level of fasting as is convenient to them. It should not disturb their normal devotional service(s) and daily sadhana.

 

Level 1:

 

One can consume products of the cow (pancha-gavya) each for each day:

 

First day: Cow dung (Gomaya)

Second day: Cow urine (Go-muutra)

Third day: Cow milk (Kshiira)

Fourth day: Cow yoghurt (Dadhi)

Fifth day: All products of  the cow mixed (Pancha-gavya)

 

Level 2 -This level is what Srila Jayapataka swami maharaj have been following:

 

If one can't follow level 1, one can take fruits and roots fruits with many seeds should be avoided like guava, pomegranate, papaya,

cucumber etc. Boiled potatoes, raw banana and sweet potato can be taken boiled or baked. We can use sea salt for taste. Cashewnuts, raisins, dates

can be taken. We shouldn't take milk and milk products in this level of fasting. Coconut water and grated coconut can be taken.

 

Level 3:

 

If one can't follow level 2, one can take "Havishya."

 

References: Padma Puraana, Brahma-khanda, Chapter 23; Skanda Puraana, Vishnu Khanda, Kaartika Maahaatmya section, Chapter 32; Garuda Puraana, Puurva

Khanda, Chapter 123.

 

Ingredients for Havishya as mentioned in Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa (13.10-13)

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The following are ingredients that can be used in making Havishya, which is like a khichari made with these items.

 

* Aatap rice

* Ghee from cow

* 'Saindhava' salt (salt from ocean)

* Milk from cow

* Milk with cream

* Ripe banana

* Kaala-shaaka

* Wheat

* Fruits (Skanda Puraana, Naagara Khanda says they must be with a small seed

or with few seeds only)

* Mango

* Jackfruit

* Labali fruit

* Roots except 'keaa' (a type of grass or root)

* Pippalii

* Haritakii

* Naagaranga

* Ikshu-dravya or sugarcane derivatives (other than gur or mollasses)

* No oil

 

The following ingredients are normally part of Havishya but have to be  avoided in the month of Kaartika:

 

* Mung dal

* Til oil

* Beta-shaaka

* Shashtikaa-shaaka

* Radish

* Jeeraa

* Tamarind

 

One should take bath in Ganges or a holy river every day and should offer tarpana 3 times for Bhismadeva by saying the following mantra:

 

Tarpana

 

om vaiyaghra padya gotraya

samkrti pravaraya ca

aputraya dadamyetat

salilam bhismavarmane

 

Arghya

 

vasunamavataraya

santanoratmajaya ca

arghyam dadami bhismaya

ajanma brahmacarine

 

Pranam

 

om bhismah santanavo birah

satyavadi jitendriyah

abhiradbhiravapnatu

putrapautrocitam kriyam

Your servant,

Saroja Nandini Devi Dasi