Bhīṣma Pañcaka Festival | ISKCON Raichur – Kartik Fasting, Bhīṣma Stuti & Go Seva

Honoring Grandfather Bhīṣma and Concluding the Holy Month of Kārtika

Bhīṣma Pañcaka marks the final five days of the sacred month of Kārtika, a period cherished by devotees for intense bhakti, prayer, and purification. These five days—Ekādaśī to Paurṇimā (the full moon)—are dedicated to Śrī Bhīṣmadeva, one of the twelve Mahājanas (great authorities in devotional service), and to the worship of Lord Śrī Hari with special austerity and devotion.

In ISKCON temples and homes worldwide, devotees undertake the Bhīṣma Pañcaka vrata, observing fasting, offering special prayers, and deepening their meditation on Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and Bhīṣmadeva’s unwavering devotion.

🌿 The Glorious Background of Bhīṣma Pañcaka

The term “Bhīṣma Pañcaka” literally means “the five days of Bhīṣma.” These are the final five days of Kārtika, beginning from Utthāna Ekādaśī and ending on Kārtika Paurṇimā.

According to the Mahābhārata and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Canto 1, Chapter 9), the mighty warrior Bhīṣmadeva—grandfather of the Pāṇḍavas—lay on a bed of arrows during the great Kurukṣetra war. He had received the boon of icchā-mṛtyu—the ability to choose the time of his death. Having been struck by Arjuna’s arrows, he waited until the auspicious period of Uttarāyaṇa, when the sun begins its northward journey, to leave his body.

During these five sacred days, Bhīṣmadeva fasted and worshipped Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, fixing his mind completely on the Lord. Therefore, devotees honor his mood of surrender by following special austerities, chanting extra rounds, reading the Bhīṣma-stuti prayers, and offering heartfelt devotion.

🕉 Scriptural Glories of Bhīṣma Pañcaka

In the Padma Purāṇa, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself declares the greatness of these days:

“One who observes the vow of Bhīṣma Pañcaka in the month of Kārtika attains the results of ten thousand years of spiritual austerity.”
— Padma Purāṇa

The Skanda Purāṇa explains that even if one cannot fast completely, offering devotion, lamps, and prayers during these five days destroys all sins and grants the mercy of Lord Viṣṇu.

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that austerity without devotion is dry, but austerity offered to please Kṛṣṇa becomes pure bhakti.

“By rendering devotional service to the Lord under proper guidance, one quickly develops love for Kṛṣṇa. The month of Kārtika and the vow of Bhīṣma Pañcaka give us that opportunity.”
— Śrīla Prabhupāda, Lecture on SB 1.9 (Bhīṣma’s Departure)

💠 How to Observe the Bhīṣma Pañcaka Vrata

There are many levels of observance, and devotees may adapt according to their health, capacity, and guidance of spiritual authorities. The essence is increased devotion and austerity for Kṛṣṇa.

🪔 1. Fasting and Simplicity

Devotees traditionally take a restricted diet for five days and increase chanting and seva.

🌸 2. Worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Bhīṣmadeva

Each day, devotees worship Lord Kṛṣṇa, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and Bhīṣmadeva, offering flowers, lamps, and prayers.
A special prayer to recite daily is the Bhīṣma-stuti (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.9.22–27):

“Let my mind, now fixed upon the Supreme Lord, be absorbed in thoughts of that beautiful Kṛṣṇa standing before me, smiling, holding a whip and the reins of Arjuna’s chariot.”

🌼 3. Reading and Hearing Bhīṣmadeva’s Teachings

These days are ideal for reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Canto 1, Chapter 9 — “The Passing Away of Bhīṣmadeva in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa.”
Hearing Bhīṣma’s wisdom and his final prayers purifies the heart and deepens one’s realization of the Lord’s transcendental nature.

🔱 4. Offering Lamps and Charity

Each evening, devotees offer dīpa-dāna — lamps to Lord Dāmodara or Bhīṣmadeva — and perform go-sevā or go-dāna (cow charity).
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes that lamp offerings in Kārtika destroy the darkness of ignorance and attract Lord Dāmodara’s mercy.

🌾 The Bhīṣma Pañcaka Diet (Traditional Guidelines)

According to the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, devotees observing Bhīṣma Pañcaka may eat only foods offered to Viṣṇu and within certain categories:
Various Levels of fasting:

Type-1
One can eat products of the cow for each day:
First day: Cow dung (Gomaya)
Second day: Cow urine (Go-mutra)
Third day: Cow milk (Kshiira)
Fourth day: Cow yoghurt (Dahi)
Fifth day: All products of the cow mixed (Pancha-gavya)

Type -2
If one can’t follow type then please take take fruits and roots fruits with lots of seeds should be avoided like guava, pomegranate,cucumber etc. Boiled potatoes, raw banana and sweet potato can be taken. We can use sea salt for taste. Cashewnuts(PLAIN) raisins, dates can be taken. Milk products to be avoided.

The principle, however, is to increase devotion and reduce bodily demands.

📜 Bhīṣmadeva – The Ideal Devotee and Warrior

Bhīṣmadeva’s life is a shining example of duty, purity, and surrender.
Despite being a powerful Kṣatriya and commander of the Kaurava army, his heart was fully devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Even while lying on a bed of arrows, Bhīṣma glorified the Lord:

“In obedience to the command of my superiors, I fought, but at the end, all that remains is the remembrance of Your beautiful face. Let me leave my body gazing upon You.”
— Bhīṣma-stuti, SB 1.9.24

Śrīla Prabhupāda commented that Bhīṣma’s prayers show the highest stage of devotional consciousness — to remember Kṛṣṇa even amidst suffering.

🕊 The Essence of Bhīṣma Pañcaka

The real purpose of Bhīṣma Pañcaka is not just fasting but deepening one’s surrender and gratitude to the Lord. It is a time to:
Reflect on our spiritual progress during Kārtika.
Offer heartfelt prayers to Bhīṣmadeva for strength in dharma.
Intensify our chanting, reading, and service.
Prepare our hearts for the coming month of Mārgaśīrṣa with renewed bhakti.

Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully said:
“Devotion means to remember Kṛṣṇa in every situation. Bhīṣma showed this from the battlefield to the bed of arrows. That is perfection.”

🌸 Conclusion: Completing Kārtika with Bhīṣma’s Blessings

As the holy month of Kārtika concludes with Bhīṣma Pañcaka, devotees offer gratitude to Lord Dāmodara and Bhīṣmadeva for guiding them through weeks of spiritual growth.
By performing even a small act of devotion during these five days—offering a lamp, chanting sincerely, or serving the Vaiṣṇavas—one receives immense spiritual benefit.
Let us follow Bhīṣmadeva’s example of steadfast faith, duty, and devotion, and end Kārtika with a pure heart, fully fixed in the remembrance of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

“May our hearts, like Bhīṣma’s, ever rest upon that Supreme Lord whose smile vanquishes all fear.”

✨ Join ISKCON Raichur for Bhīṣma Pañcaka

Festival Highlights:
Daily Bhīṣma-stuti recitations and Kṛṣṇa-kathā
Special lamp offerings to Lord Dāmodara
Guided fasting and Ekādaśī prasāda distribution
Go-sevā and Go-dāna opportunities
Grand Kārtika Pūrṇimā celebration with kīrtana and feast
Join us in concluding the most auspicious month of Kārtika through prayer, austerity, and love for Lord Kṛṣṇa.