First day of Bhisma Pancaka

What is the first day of Bhisma Pancaka?

Bhisma Pancaka, also called Vishnu Panchaka, is a five-day vow of worship and fasting named after Bhismadeva. It opens on Ekadashi and closes on the full moon, and in 2026 its first day falls on Saturday, 21 November.

Significance

Bhismadeva, the grandfather of the Kuru dynasty, was a great general and a devotee of Lord Krishna. He fasted through these five days as he prepared to leave his body. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam he fixes his mind on Krishna, whom he had seen on the battlefield of Kurukshetra as Arjuna's chariot driver, and prays:

Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.9.32

Vaishnava writings relate that Krishna was very pleased with Bhisma and agreed to give pure love to all who chant, hear, read, worship and fast during these five days. This year the first day is also Utthana Ekadashi and the disappearance day of Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji.

How to observe it

Devotees begin the vow on Ekadashi by remembering Bhismadeva. The Hari-bhakti-vilasa treats fasting from certain foods through the five days as optional, to be kept as far as one is able. On Utthana Ekadashi itself, grains and beans are avoided in any case.

This holy day falls in Kartik, the month of Lord Damodara, when devotees offer Him a lamp each evening and sing Damodarashtakam. Read about Kartik (Damodara) Month, and offer your own lamp from wherever you are through our Kartik Deep Daan Seva.