Last day of Bhisma Pancaka

What is the last day of Bhisma Pancaka?

In the last days of Kartika, the Damodara month, devotees keep Bhisma Pancaka, five days in memory of Bhismadeva. The observance closes on the full moon of Kartika, which in 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November.

Significance

At the end of the great war, Grandfather Bhismadeva lay on a bed of arrows on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Vaishnava tradition holds that he fasted for these five days while he prepared to leave this world. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam he offers his own prayers to the Lord:

Yet, despite His being equally kind to everyone, He has graciously come before me while I am ending my life, for I am His unflinching servitor.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.9.22

How to observe it

The fast opens on Ekadashi with remembrance of Bhismadeva and is completed on this full moon. If you are able, deepen your Kartika vow in these days. The strictest form of the vow is to avoid grains all month and to take only milk or water in the last five days. It is optional, though, so keep only as much as your health allows. A simpler way is to eat once a day, hear about Krishna and chant the holy names. Sri Krsna Rasayatra, Tulasi-Saligrama Vivaha and the appearance day of Sri Nimbarkacarya all fall on the same day.

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.