The last 5 days of the month of Karttika are traditionally known as the Bhishma Panchaka or the Vishnu Panchaka. Grandfather Bhisma fasted for these five days, preparing to give up his life. In the Hari BhaktiVilasa, it is said that if one is capable, one should observe fasting from certain foodstuffs on the Bhishma-panchaka for the pleasure of the Lord. This is optional. "The fast should begin by remembering Bhismadeva on the Ekadasi day and should end on Purnima [the full moon]. The Padma Purana say that one pleases the Lord and makes spiritual advancement by such austerities.
A five-day worship period prescribed for the last 5 days of Kartika (Damodara) Month and it is known as “Bhishma Panchaka”. Lord Krishna becamse very pleased on Shrila Bhishma and He agreed to give His pure love to those fortunate souls who chant, sing, hear, read, worship and fast for these five days of Bhishmadeva.
Bhishma Panchaka Fasting
The fasting started today on Ekadashi and will continues until the the Rasa Poornima day. (Some years year its a 4 day period) The fasting is broken at moon rise on Purnima day. It is recommended to do full fast on Ekadasi and then the following four days fruits and roots fasting Or five day fruits and roots fasting.
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 level 1 then please take take fruits and roots fruits (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.
Recipes for Type 2 fasting:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Amx0OX_FkCvHwz5CVdIdkXNlde-x?e=0ioeVQ
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Amx0OX_FkCvHwz3R7jA51UIxxzBd?e=9Jt2SA
Type 3
If one can't follow level 1 or 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
Unadulterated Ghee from cow
Saindhava salt (sea salt)
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 kesa grass root
Pippalii
Haritakii
Naagaranga
Ikshu-dravya or sugarcane derivatives (other than gur or mollasses)
No oil in any form
The following ingredients though part of Havishya need to be avoided in the month of Kartika:
Mung dal
Til oil
Beta-shaaka
Shashtikaa-shaaka
Radish
Jeeraa
Tamarind
Special Offerings to the Lord during these days.
Following flowers to be offered to the Deities DURING THE BHISHMA PANCHAKA
DAYS AS PER GARUDA PURANA.
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 Lordship.
Ideally One should take bath in Ganges or the other holy rivers every day & 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
How to do Tarpana, Arghya, Pranam:
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Amx0OX_FkCvHwz8phuwu7VoMhyKF?e=8hFWQX
By following these days of Bhishma Panchaka fasting one gets the benefit of all the four chaturmasya fasting if one had been unable to follow the same.
Bhishma Panchaka fasting break time
Bhisham Panchaka fasting will be completed by the evening of 5th day (Purnima) Sunset time. Please check your local sunset time and break the fast by taking grain prasadam after Tarpana to Bhishma deva on 5th day evening.