Last day of Bhisma Pancaka

What is the last day of Bhisma Pancaka?

Bhisma Pancaka is the five-day observance in the last days of Kartika, the Damodara month, in memory of Bhismadeva. Its last day is the full moon of Kartika. In 2026 that is Tuesday, 24 November.

Significance

Grandfather Bhismadeva lay on a bed of arrows on the battlefield of Kurukshetra at the end of the great war. The Srimad-Bhagavatam tells that Lord Krishna Himself came before him there. The Vaishnava tradition says that Bhisma fasted for these five days while preparing to leave this world, and the Hari-bhakti-vilasa describes a vow of fasting for the pleasure of the Lord, to be kept if one is able. Bhisma then spoke 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 begins by remembering Bhismadeva on the Ekadashi day and ends on the full moon. If able, intensify your Kartika vow in these days. The strictest form is to avoid grains all month and take only milk or water in the last five days, but the vow is optional, so keep it within your health. Eat only once a day, hear about Krishna and chant. The same day is also Sri Krsna Rasayatra, Tulasi-Saligrama Vivaha and the appearance day of Sri Nimbarkacarya.