Bhisma Pancaka vrata

Dear Devotees,

Hare Krsna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila
Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudeva.

The Bhisma Pancaka vrata starts on Ekadasi which is 9th November, Sunday.
Many devotees have asked me to send the procedure which I am including
below. Guru Maharaja have been observing this vrata for more than 10 years.
It is one of his favorite fasting to do. He used to only take fruits and
roots during these five days.

In the year 2003, Guru Maharaja wrote, “Now I am back in Mayapur Dham during
this most auspicious month of Damodara.  We observed the Bhisma Pancaka
Vrata by taking only fruits and roots for 5days.  I observed the vrata in
the association of 200 devotees and we all had a profoundly nice time.
Usually people don’t like austerities, but doing this together with all the
devotees added a special flavor and it was actually very blissful.  As part
of the program we bathed every day in the Ganges and offered tarpana (a kind
of offering) within the Ganges for Bhismadeva.”

Bhisma Pancaka Fasting
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The fasting starts on Ekadasi Day which is 9th and will continue until the
13th, 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 ccow mixed (Pancha-gavya)

Level 2 (this is what Guru Maharaja has 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. 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.

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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