Hare Krishna Prabhuji, Mataji, Dandavat Pranamam.
Request to explain us in detail what is Bhismha Panchaka, Why it is not mentioned in Vaishnava Calendar?, how to follow the same on the day pls.
Your servant of servant
ShyamuS.
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Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Bhishma Panchaka are the last 5 days of chaturmaas - 4 months of fasting from different things. It starts on Dev Utthni Ekadasi and ends on Kartik purnima, today. It is said that one who observes Bhishma Panchaka gets the benefit of having done chaturmaas. Bhishma pitamah did this fast at the end of his life and got benediction of pure love from Krsna.
There are 3 levels of Bhishma Panchaka fast:
1) Only panchgavya can be had. Day 1 - cow dung, Day 2- cow urine, Day 3, 4, 5 - milk, curd, ghee (not necessarily in that order, I dont know the order).
2) Level 2 is having fruits and roots - that is potato, sweet potato, some select fruits with no seeds or less seeds.
3) Havishyanna - khicri of rice and few other sabjis. Even mung dal is not allowed, for people who have done chaturmaas without mung dal.
This is a difficult fast to do, not many people are aware of it. In fact, I am not sure of what to have in each level, that is the reason I didnt do this year.
Why it is not mentioned in vaishnav calendar - I am not in a position to say.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD