205 - Mode of performing the Bhishmapañchakavrata

Agni said:

1.    Ishall describe the Bhishmapañchaka,¹ that is the foremost among the vows and that which yields everything. Itshould be done on the eleventh day in the bright fortnight in kārttika. 

1. The five days from the eleventh to the fifteenth of the bright half of kárttika said to be sacred to Bhisma. See chapter 205 below. 

2. (The observer of the vow)should bathe thrice (daily) for five days and satisfy gods and manes with five kinds of grains and sesamum. Heshould worship lord Hari silently. 

3. Having bathed the deity with the five things got from a cow and with the five sweet things, sandal pasteshould be besmeared and guggulushould be burnt along with ghee. 

4. A lampshould be offered. Food offeringshould be made day and night. Heshould then repeat (the syllable) “Om obeisance to Vasudeva” one hundred and eight times. 

5. The performer of the vowshould then make oblations of sesamum and rice dipped in ghee with the sacred syllable of six letters along with the word 'oblations.' 

6-8. Heshould worship the feet with lotuses (on the first day), the knee and thigh with the bilva leaves on the second day, the navel with the bhrungarāja on the third day, with the baña, bilva and japā (flowers) on the fourth day and with mālati on the fifth day. The votaryshould lie down (only) on thc (bare) floor. (Heshould use) cowdung on the cleventh day and cow's urine, curd and milk (on the subsequent days). (Heshould use) five things got from a cow on the fifth day. Heshould take food only in the night on the full moon day. The votary would get enjoyment and emancipation. 

9. After having practised the (Bhishmapañchaka)Bhīshma reached lord Hari. That is why (it is known as) Bhishmapañchaka. Oneshould worship lord Brahmå and fast while practising the vow.