The Glory of the Bhishma-Panchaka Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.2.129.1)

॥वालखिल्या ऊचुः॥ कार्तिकस्याऽमले पक्षे स्नात्वा सम्यग्यतव्रतः ॥ एकादश्यां तु गृह्णीयाद्व्रतं पंचदिनात्मकम्

vālakhilyā ūcuḥ kārtikasyā'amale pakṣe snātvā samyagyatavrataḥ || ekādaśyāṁ tu gṛhṇīyādvrataṁ paṁcadinātmakam

The Valakhilyas said: Having duly bathed in the bright fortnight of Kartika, and having taken up the discipline of a vow-keeper, one should take up the five-day vow on the Ekadashi.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.129.2)

शरपंजरसुप्तेन भीष्मेण तु महात्मना ॥ राजधर्मा मोक्षधर्मा दानधर्मास्ततः परम्

śarapaṁjarasuptena bhīṣmeṇa tu mahātmanā || rājadharmā mokṣadharmā dānadharmāstataḥ param

Bhishma, the great-souled one, lying upon his bed of arrows, expounded the duties of kings, the duties leading to liberation, and thereafter the duties of giving —

Verse 3 (skanda.2.129.3)

कथिता पांडुदायादैः कृष्णेनाऽपि श्रुतास्तदा ॥ ततः प्रीतेन मनसा वासुदेवेन भाषितम्

kathitā pāṇḍudāyādaiḥ kṛṣṇenā'api śrutāstadā || tataḥ prītena manasā vāsudevena bhāṣitam

expounded to the sons of Pandu, and Krishna too listened to it. Then Vasudeva, his heart pleased, spoke —

Verse 4 (skanda.2.129.4)

धन्यधन्योऽसि भीष्म त्वं धर्माः संश्रावितास्त्वया ॥ एकादश्यां कार्तिकस्य याचितं च जलं त्वया

dhanyadhanyo'si bhīṣma tvaṁ dharmāḥ saṁśrāvitāstvayā || ekādaśyāṁ kārtikasya yācitaṁ ca jalaṁ tvayā

"Truly blessed, blessed are you, Bhishma; you have proclaimed these duties. On the Ekadashi of Kartika you asked for water,

Verse 5 (skanda.2.129.5)

अर्जुनेन समानीतं गांगं बाणस्य वेगतः ॥ तुष्टानि तव गात्राणि तस्मादद्यदिनावधि

arjunena samānītaṁ gāṁgaṁ bāṇasya vegataḥ || tuṣṭāni tava gātrāṇi tasmādadyadināvadhi

and Arjuna, by the force of an arrow, brought you the water of the Ganga. Your limbs were satisfied; therefore, from this day forward —

Verse 6 (skanda.2.129.6)

पूर्णांतं सर्वलोकास्त्वां तर्पयंत्वर्घ्यदानतः ॥ तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन मम संतुष्टिकारकम्

pūrṇāṁtaṁ sarvalokāstvāṁ tarpayaṁtvarghyadānataḥ || tasmātsarvaprayatnena mama saṁtuṣṭikārakam

until its very end, let all people satisfy you with the offering of arghya. Therefore, with every effort, let people perform this vow, named the Bhishma-panchaka, which so pleases me.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.129.7)

एतद्व्रतं प्रकुर्वंतु भीष्मपंचकसंज्ञितम् ॥ कार्तिकस्य व्रतं कृत्वा न कुर्याद्भीष्मपंचकम्

etadvrataṁ prakurvaṁtu bhīṣmapaṁcakasaṁjñitam || kārtikasya vrataṁ kṛtvā na kuryādbhīṣmapaṁcakam

If one performs the Kartika vow but does not perform the Bhishma-panchaka —

Verse 8 (skanda.2.129.8)

समग्रं कार्तिकव्रतं वृथा तस्य भविष्यति ॥ अशक्तश्चेन्नरो भूयादसमर्थश्च कार्तिके

samagraṁ kārtikavrataṁ vṛthā tasya bhaviṣyati || aśaktaścennaro bhūyādasamarthaśca kārtike

his entire Kartika vow will become fruitless. If a man is unable and incapable of keeping the whole of Kartika —

Verse 9 (skanda.2.129.9)

भीष्मस्य पंचकं कृत्वा कार्तिकस्य फलं लभेत् ॥ सत्यव्रताय शुचये गांगेयाय महात्मने

bhīṣmasya paṁcakaṁ kṛtvā kārtikasya phalaṁ labhet || satyavratāya śucaye gāṁgeyāya mahātmane

he may obtain the fruit of Kartika merely by performing the Bhishma-panchaka. To the truthful, pure, great-souled son of Ganga —

Verse 10 (skanda.2.129.10)

भीष्मायैतद्ददाम्यर्घ्यमाजन्मब्रह्मचारिणे ॥ सव्येनाऽनेन मंत्रेण तर्पणं सार्ववर्णिकम्

bhīṣmāyaitaddadāmyarghyamājanmabrahmacāriṇe || savyenā'anena maṁtreṇa tarpaṇaṁ sārvavarṇikam

to Bhishma, celibate from birth, I offer this arghya" — with this very mantra, people of all castes should perform the water-offering with the left hand.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.129.11)

व्रतांगत्वात्पूर्णिमायां प्रदेयः पापपूरुषः ॥ अपुत्रेण प्रकर्तव्यं सर्वथा भीष्मपञ्चकम्

vratāṁgatvātpūrṇimāyāṁ pradeyaḥ pāpapūruṣaḥ || aputreṇa prakartavyaṁ sarvathā bhīṣmapaṁcakam

As part of the vow, on the full-moon day, the effigy of "sin-personified" should be given away. A man without a son should certainly perform the Bhishma-panchaka.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.129.12)

यः पुत्रार्थं व्रतं कुर्यात्सस्त्रीको भीष्मपञ्चकम् ॥ प्रदत्त्वा पापपुरुषं वर्षमध्ये सुतं लभेत्

yaḥ putrārthaṁ vrataṁ kuryātsastrīko bhīṣmapaṁcakam || pradattvā pāpapuruṣaṁ varṣamadhye sutaṁ labhet

Whoever, desiring a son, performs the Bhishma-panchaka vow together with his wife, and gives away the "sin-personified" effigy, obtains a son within a year.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.129.13)

अवश्यमेव कर्तव्यं तस्माद्भीष्मस्य पंचकम् ॥ विष्णुप्रीतिकरं प्रोक्तं मया भीष्मस्य पञ्चकम्

avaśyameva kartavyaṁ tasmādbhīṣmasya paṁcakam || viṣṇuprītikaraṁ proktaṁ mayā bhīṣmasya paṁcakam

Therefore the Bhishma-panchaka must certainly be performed. I have declared this Bhishma-panchaka, which pleases Vishnu."

Verse 14 (skanda.2.129.14)

॥सूत उवाच॥ शृण्वंतु ऋषयः सर्वे विशेषो भीष्मपञ्चके ॥ कार्तिकेयाय रुद्रेण पुरा प्रोक्तः सविस्तरात्

sūta uvāca śṛṇvaṁtu ṛṣayaḥ sarve viśeṣo bhīṣmapaṁcake || kārtikeyāya rudreṇa purā proktaḥ savistarāt

Suta said: Listen, all you sages, to the particulars of the Bhishma-panchaka, which Rudra once declared in detail to Kartikeya.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.129.15)

॥ईश्वर उवाच॥ प्रवक्ष्यामि महापुण्यं व्रतं व्रतवतां वर ॥ भीष्मेणैतद्यतः प्राप्तं व्रतं पञ्चदिनात्मकम्

īśvara uvāca pravakṣyāmi mahāpuṇyaṁ vrataṁ vratavatāṁ vara || bhīṣmeṇaitadyataḥ prāptaṁ vrataṁ paṁcadinātmakam

Ishvara said: O best of those who keep vows, I shall declare this most meritorious vow, this five-day vow which Bhishma obtained,

Verse 16 (skanda.2.129.16)

सकाशाद्वासुदेवस्य तेनोक्तं भीष्मपञ्चकम् ॥ व्रतस्याऽस्य गुणान्वक्तुं कः शक्तः केशवादृते

sakāśādvāsudevasya tenoktaṁ bhīṣmapaṁcakam || vratasyā'asya guṇānvaktuṁ kaḥ śaktaḥ keśavādṛte

from the presence of Vasudeva; by him it was named the Bhishma-panchaka. Who but Keshava himself is able to declare the virtues of this vow?

Verse 17 (skanda.2.129.17)

कार्तिके शुक्लपक्षे तु शृणु धर्मं पुरातनम् ॥ वसिष्ठभृगुगर्गाद्यैश्चीर्णं कृतयुगादिषु

kārtike śuklapakṣe tu śṛṇu dharmaṁ purātanam || vasiṣṭhabhṛgugargādyaiścīrṇaṁ kṛtayugādiṣu

Hear now this ancient dharma, observed in the bright fortnight of Kartika, practiced by Vasishtha, Bhrigu, Garga, and others in the Krita age and after.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.129.18)

अम्बरीषेण भोगाद्यैश्चीर्णं त्रेतायुगादिषु ॥ ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मचर्येण जपहोमक्रियादिभिः

aṁbarīṣeṇa bhogādyaiścīrṇaṁ tretāyugādiṣu || brāhmaṇairbrahmacaryeṇa japahomakriyādibhiḥ

Ambarisha, Bhoga, and others practiced it in the Treta age and after. Brahmins, through celibacy, recitation, fire-offerings, and other rites —

Verse 19 (skanda.2.129.19)

क्षत्रियैश्च तथा वैश्यैः सत्यशौचपरायणैः ॥ दुष्करं सत्यहीनानामशक्यं बालचेतसाम्

kṣatriyaiśca tathā vaiśyaiḥ satyaśaucaparāyaṇaiḥ || duṣkaraṁ satyahīnānāmaśakyaṁ bālacetasām

and by kshatriyas and vaishyas devoted to truth and purity, it has been practiced. It is difficult for those devoid of truthfulness, and impossible for the childish-minded.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.129.20)

दुष्करं भीष्ममित्याहुर्न शक्यं प्राकृतैर्नरैः ॥ यस्मात्करोति विप्रेंद्र तेन सर्वं कृतं भवेत्

duṣkaraṁ bhīṣmamityāhurna śakyaṁ prākṛtairnaraiḥ || yasmātkaroti vipreṁdra tena sarvaṁ kṛtaṁ bhavet

They call it "Bhishma" (the formidable) because it is difficult, not achievable by ordinary men. O foremost of brahmins, whoever performs it has, by that, accomplished everything.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.129.21)

व्रतं चैतन्महापुण्यं महापातकनाशनम् ॥ अतो नरैः प्रयत्नेन कर्तव्यं भीष्मपञ्चकम्

vrataṁ caitanmahāpuṇyaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam || ato naraiḥ prayatnena kartavyaṁ bhīṣmapaṁcakam

This vow is exceedingly meritorious and destroys the greatest of sins. Therefore men should perform the Bhishma-panchaka with diligence.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.129.22)

कार्तिकस्याऽमले पक्षे स्नात्वा सम्यग्विधानतः ॥ एकादश्यां तु गृह्णीयाद्व्रतं पंचदिनात्मकम्

kārtikasyā'amale pakṣe snātvā samyagvidhānataḥ || ekādaśyāṁ tu gṛhṇīyādvrataṁ paṁcadinātmakam

Having duly bathed according to proper procedure in the bright fortnight of Kartika, one should take up the five-day vow on the Ekadashi.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.129.23)

प्रातः स्नात्वा विशेषेण मध्याह्ने च तथा व्रती ॥ नद्यां निर्झरतोये वा समालभ्य च गोमयम्

prātaḥ snātvā viśeṣeṇa madhyāhne ca tathā vratī || nadyāṁ nirjharatoye vā samālabhya ca gomayam

The vow-keeper should bathe especially in the morning and again at midday, in a river or a mountain stream, and, having applied cow-dung,

Verse 24 (skanda.2.129.24)

यवव्रीहितिलैः सम्यक्पितॄन्संतर्पयेत्क्रमात् ॥ स्नात्वा मौनं नरः कृत्वा धौतवासा दृढव्रतः

yavavrīhitilaiḥ samyakpitṝnsaṁtarpayetkramāt || snātvā maunaṁ naraḥ kṛtvā dhautavāsā dṛḍhavrataḥ

should duly satisfy the ancestors in turn with barley, rice, and sesame. Having bathed, keeping silence, wearing washed garments, and firm in his vow —

Verse 25 (skanda.2.129.25)

भीष्मायोदकदानं च अर्घ्यं चैव प्रयत्नतः ॥ पूजा भीष्मस्य कर्तव्या दानं दद्यात्प्रयत्नतः

bhīṣmāyodakadānaṁ ca arghyaṁ caiva prayatnataḥ || pūjā bhīṣmasya kartavyā dānaṁ dadyātprayatnataḥ

he should, with diligence, offer water and arghya to Bhishma. Bhishma's worship should be performed, and gifts should be given with diligence.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.129.26)

पंचरत्नं विशेषेण दत्त्वा विप्राय यत्नतः ॥ वासुदेवोऽपि संपूज्यो लक्ष्मीयुक्तः सदा प्रभुः

paṁcaratnaṁ viśeṣeṇa dattvā viprāya yatnataḥ || vāsudevo'pi saṁpūjyo lakṣmīyuktaḥ sadā prabhuḥ

Especially, one should carefully give the five gems to a brahmin, and should also worship the Lord Vasudeva, ever accompanied by Lakshmi.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.129.27)

पञ्चके पूजयित्वा तु कोटिजन्मानि तुष्यति ॥ यत्किंचिद्ददते मर्त्यः पंचधातुप्रकल्पितम्

paṁcake pūjayitvā tu koṭijanmāni tuṣyati || yatkiṁcidadate martyaḥ paṁcadhātuprakalpitam

By worshipping during these five days, Vishnu remains satisfied for tens of millions of births. Whatever a mortal gives that is fashioned of the five metals —

Verse 28 (skanda.2.129.28)

संवत्सरव्रतानां स लभते सकलं फलम् ॥ कृत्वा तूदकदानं तु तथाऽर्घ्यस्य च दापनम्

saṁvatsaravratānāṁ sa labhate sakalaṁ phalam || kṛtvā tūdakadānaṁ tu tathā'arghyasya ca dāpanam

he obtains the entire fruit of a year's vows. Having performed the offering of water and the giving of arghya,

Verse 29 (skanda.2.129.29)

मन्त्रेणानेन यः कुर्यान्मुक्तिभागी भवेन्नरः ॥ वैयाघ्रपादगोत्राय सांकृत्य प्रवराय च

mantreṇānena yaḥ kuryānmuktibhāgī bhavennaraḥ || vaiyāghrapādagotrāya sāṁkṛtya pravarāya ca

whoever does so with this mantra becomes a sharer of liberation. (The mantra:) "To him of the Vyaghrapada gotra, of the Sankritya pravara,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.129.30)

अनपत्याय भीष्माय उदकं भीष्मवर्मणे ॥ वसूनामवताराय शंतनोरात्मजाय च

anapatyāya bhīṣmāya udakaṁ bhīṣmavarmaṇe || vasūnāmavatārāya śaṁtanorātmajāya ca

to the childless Bhishma, to Bhishmavarma, I offer this water — to the incarnation of the Vasus, to the son of Shantanu,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.129.31)

अर्घ्यं ददामि भीष्माय आजन्मब्रह्मचारिणे ॥इत्यर्घ्यमंत्रः॥ अनेन विधिना यस्तु पंचकं तु समापयेत्

arghyaṁ dadāmi bhīṣmāya ājanmabrahmacāriṇe ityarghyamantraḥ anena vidhinā yastu paṁcakaṁ tu samāpayet

I give this arghya to Bhishma, celibate from birth." This is the arghya-mantra. Whoever completes the five-day observance by this procedure —

Verse 32 (skanda.2.129.32)

अश्वमेधसमं पुण्यं प्राप्नोत्यत्र न संशयः ॥ पंचाऽहमपि कर्तव्यं नियमं च प्रयत्नतः

aśvamedhasamaṁ puṇyaṁ prāpnotyatra na saṁśayaḥ || paṁcā'ahamapi kartavyaṁ niyamaṁ ca prayatnataḥ

obtains, without doubt, merit equal to the Ashvamedha sacrifice. This discipline should be diligently kept on all five days.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.129.33)

नियमेन विना यत्र न भाव्यं वरवर्णिना ॥ उत्तरायणहीनाय भीष्माय प्रददौ हरिः

niyamena vinā yatra na bhāvyaṁ varavarṇinā || uttarāyaṇahīnāya bhīṣmāya pradadau hariḥ

Without observing the discipline, one of noble caste shall not attain this. To Bhishma, lying there though the northward course of the sun had not yet come, Hari granted —

Verse 34 (skanda.2.129.34)

उत्तरायणहीनेऽपि शुद्धलग्नं सुतोषितः ॥ ततः संपूजयेद्देवं सर्वपापहरं हरिम्

uttarāyaṇahīne'pi śuddhalagnaṁ sutoṣitaḥ || tataḥ saṁpūjayeddevaṁ sarvapāpaharaṁ harim

even without the northward course, a pure ascendant, being well pleased. Then one should worship the god Hari, who removes all sin.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.129.35)

अनंतरं प्रयत्नेन कर्तव्यं भीष्मपंचकम् ॥ स्नापयेत जलैर्भक्त्या मधुक्षीरघृतेन च

anaṁtaraṁ prayatnena kartavyaṁ bhīṣmapaṁcakam || snāpayeta jalairbhaktyā madhukṣīraghṛtena ca

Thereafter the Bhishma-panchaka should be diligently performed. One should bathe the image with devotion, using water, honey, milk, and ghee,

Verse 36 (skanda.2.129.36)

तथैव पंचगव्येन गन्धचंदनवारिणा ॥ चन्दनेन सुगन्धेन कुमकुमेनाऽथ केशवम्

tathaiva paṁcagavyena gandhacaṁdanavāriṇā || candanena sugandhena kumkumenā'atha keśavam

and likewise with the five products of the cow, and with fragrant sandal-water. With fragrant sandalwood and vermilion, one should anoint Keshava,

Verse 37 (skanda.2.129.37)

कर्पूरोशीरमिश्रेण लेपयेद्गरुडध्वजम् ॥ अर्चयेद्रुचिरैः पुष्पैर्गंधधूपसमन्वितैः

karpūrośīramiśreṇa lepayedgaruḍadhvajam || arcayedruciraiḥ puṣpairgaṁdhadhūpasamanvitaiḥ

mixed with camphor and fragrant grass-root. One should worship the Garuda-bannered one with lovely flowers, accompanied by fragrance and incense.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.129.38)

गुग्गुलुं घृतसंयुक्तं ददेत्कृष्णाय भक्तिमान् ॥ दीपकं तु दिवा रात्रौ दद्यात्पंच दिनानि तु

guggulaṁ ghṛtasaṁyuktaṁ dadetkṛṣṇāya bhaktimān || dīpakaṁ tu divā rātrau dadyātpaṁca dināni tu

A devotee should offer guggulu mixed with ghee to Krishna. Lamps should be offered day and night for all five days.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.129.39)

नैवेद्यं देवदेवस्य परमान्नं निवेदयेत् ॥ एवमभ्यर्चयेद्देवं संस्मृत्य च प्रणम्य च

naivedyaṁ devadevasya paramānnaṁ nivedayet || evamabhyarcayeddevaṁ saṁsmṛtya ca praṇamya ca

Rice-pudding should be offered as the food-offering to the God of gods. Thus one should worship the god, remembering and bowing before him.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.129.40)

ॐ नमो वासुदेवायेति जपेदष्टोत्तरं शतम् ॥ जुहुयाच्च घृताभ्यक्तैस्तिलव्रीहियवादिभिः

oṁ namo vāsudevāyeti japedaṣṭottaraṁ śatam || juhuyācca ghṛtābhyaktaistilavrīhiyavādibhiḥ

One should recite "Om namo Vasudevaya" a hundred and eight times, and offer oblations of sesame, rice, barley, and the like, soaked in ghee.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.129.41)

षडक्षरेण मन्त्रेण स्वाहाकाराऽन्वितेन च ॥ उपास्य पश्चिमां संध्यां प्रणम्य गरुडध्वजम्

ṣaḍakṣareṇa mantreṇa svāhākārā'anvitena ca || upāsya paścimāṁ saṁdhyāṁ praṇamya garuḍadhvajam

with the six-syllabled mantra joined with the exclamation "svaha." Having performed the evening twilight-rite and bowed to the Garuda-bannered one,

Verse 42 (skanda.2.129.42)

जपित्वा पूर्ववन्मन्त्रं क्षितिशायी भवेत्सदा ॥ सर्वमेतद्विधानं तु कार्यं पञ्च दिनानि तु

japitvā pūrvavanmantraṁ kṣitiśāyī bhavetsadā || sarvametadvidhānaṁ tu kāryaṁ paṁca dināni tu

one should recite the mantra as before, and always sleep upon the bare ground. All this procedure should be carried out for all five days.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.129.43)

विशेषोऽत्र व्रते ह्यस्मिन्यदन्यूनं शृणुष्व तत् ॥ प्रथमेऽह्नि हरेः पादौ पूजयेत्कमलैर्व्रती

viśeṣo'tra vrate hyasminyadanyūnaṁ śṛṇuṣva tat || prathame'hni hareḥ pādau pūjayetkamalairvratī

Now hear, without omission, what special feature belongs to this vow. On the first day, the vow-keeper should worship Hari's feet with lotuses.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.129.44)

द्वितीये बिल्वपत्रेण जानुदेशं समर्चयेत् ॥ ततोऽनुपूजयेच्छीर्षं मालत्या चक्रपाणिनः

dvitīye bilvapatreṇa jānudeśaṁ samarcayet || tato'nupūjayecchīrṣaṁ mālatyā cakrapāṇinaḥ

On the second day, one should worship the region of the knees with bilva leaves. Then one should worship the head of the discus-bearer with malati flowers.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.129.45)

कार्तिक्यां देवदेवस्य भक्त्या तद्गतमानसः ॥ अर्चित्वा तं हृषीकेशमेकादश्यां समासतः

kārtikyāṁ devadevasya bhaktyā tadgatamānasaḥ || arcitvā taṁ hṛṣīkeśamekādaśyāṁ samāsataḥ

On the Kartika full moon, one should worship the God of gods with devotion, one's mind fixed upon him. Thus, in brief, having worshipped Hrishikesha on the Ekadashi,

Verse 46 (skanda.2.129.46)

निःप्राश्य गोमयं सम्यगेकादश्यामुपावसेत् ॥ गोमूत्रं मन्त्रवद्भूमौ द्वादश्यां प्राशयेद्व्रती

niḥprāśya gomayaṁ samyagekādaśyāmupāvaset || gomūtraṁ maṁtravadbhūmau dvādaśyāṁ prāśayedvratī

having partaken of cow-dung, one should properly observe the fast on the Ekadashi. On the twelfth day, the vow-keeper should, with the appropriate mantra, partake of cow's urine while seated on the ground.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.129.47)

क्षीरं चैव त्रयोदश्यां चतुर्दश्यां तथा दधि ॥ संप्राश्य कायशुद्ध्यर्थं लंघयित्वा चतुर्दिनम्

kṣīraṁ caiva trayodaśyāṁ caturdaśyāṁ tathā dadhi || saṁprāśya kāyaśuddhyarthaṁ laṁghayitvā caturdinam

On the thirteenth day, milk; and on the fourteenth, curd. Having partaken of these for the purification of the body, and having abstained through four days,

Verse 48 (skanda.2.129.48)

पंचमे दिवसे स्नात्वा विधिवत्पूज्य केशवम् ॥ भोजयेद्ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या तेभ्यो दद्याच्च दक्षिणाम्

paṁcame divase snātvā vidhivatpūjya keśavam || bhojayedbrāhmaṇānbhaktyā tebhyo dadyācca dakṣiṇām

on the fifth day, one should bathe, duly worship Keshava, feed brahmins with devotion, and give them their fees.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.129.49)

पापबुद्धिं परित्यज्य ब्रह्मचर्येण धीमता ॥ मद्यं मांसं परित्याज्यं मैथुनं पापकारणम्

pāpabuddhiṁ parityajya brahmacaryeṇa dhīmatā || madyaṁ māṁsaṁ parityājyaṁ maithunaṁ pāpakāraṇam

Abandoning sinful thoughts, the wise man, observing celibacy, should give up wine, meat, and sexual union, which is a cause of sin.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.129.50)

शाकाहारेण मुन्यन्नैः कृष्णार्चनपरो नरः ॥ ततो नक्तं समश्नीयात्पंचगव्यपुरःसरम्

śākāhāreṇa munyannaiḥ kṛṣṇārcanaparo naraḥ || tato naktaṁ samaśnīyātpaṁcagavyapuraḥsaram

A man devoted to Krishna's worship should live on vegetables and the food fit for sages. Then he should eat once at night, preceded by the five products of the cow.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.129.51)

एवं सम्यक्समाप्यं स्याद्यथोक्तं फलमाप्नुयात् ॥ मद्यपो यः पिबेन्मद्यं जन्मनो मरणांऽतिकम्

evaṁ samyaksamāpyaṁ syādyathoktaṁ phalamāpnuyāt || madyapo yaḥ pibenmadyaṁ janmano maraṇāṁtikam

Thus one should properly complete the vow and obtain the stated fruit. Even a habitual drinker of wine, who has drunk it from birth to the point of death —

Verse 52 (skanda.2.129.52)

एतद्भीष्मव्रतं कृत्वा प्राप्नोति परमं पदम् ॥ स्त्रीभिर्वा भर्तृवाक्येन कर्तव्यं धर्मवर्धनम्

etadbhīṣmavrataṁ kṛtvā prāpnoti paramaṁ padam || strībhirvā bhartṛvākyena kartavyaṁ dharmavardhanam

attains the supreme state by performing this Bhishma vow. Women too, at their husband's word, should perform this dharma-increasing observance.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.129.53)

विधवाभिश्च कर्तव्यं मोक्षसौख्याऽतिवृद्धये ॥ अयोध्यायां पुरा कश्चिदतिथिर्नाम वै नृपः

vidhavābhiśca kartavyaṁ mokṣasaukhyā'ativṛddhaye || ayodhyāyāṁ purā kaściditathirnāma vai nṛpaḥ

Widows too should perform it, for the great increase of liberation and happiness. Long ago, in Ayodhya, there was a king named Atithi.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.129.54)

वसिष्ठवचनात्कृत्वा व्रतमेतत्सुदुर्लभम् ॥ भुक्त्वेह निखिलान्भोगानंते विष्णुपुरं ययौ

vasiṣṭhavacanātkṛtvā vratametatsudurlabham || bhuktveha nikhilānbhogānaṁte viṣṇupuraṁ yayau

Having, at Vasishtha's word, performed this most rare vow, and having enjoyed here every kind of pleasure, he went at the end to Vishnu's realm.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.129.55)

इत्थं कुर्याद्व्रतं नित्यं पञ्चकं भीष्मसंज्ञितम् ॥ नियमेनोपवासेन पञ्चगव्येन वा पुनः ॥ पयोमूलफलाऽऽहारैर्हविष्यैर्व्रततत्परः

itthaṁ kuryādvrataṁ nityaṁ paṁcakaṁ bhīṣmasaṁjñitam || niyamenopavāsena paṁcagavyena vā punaḥ || payomūlaphalā'āhāraiḥ haviṣyairvratatatparaḥ

Thus one should regularly perform the five-day vow called Bhishma, by fasting according to rule, or else with the five products of the cow, or by living on milk, roots, and fruits, or on sanctified food, remaining devoted to the vow.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.129.56)

पौर्णमासीदिने प्राप्ते पूजां कृत्वा तु पूर्ववत् ॥ ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्भक्त्या गां च दद्यात्सवत्सकाम्

paurṇamāsīdine prāpte pūjāṁ kṛtvā tu pūrvavat || brāhmaṇānbhojayedbhaktyā gāṁ ca dadyātsavatsakām

When the full-moon day arrives, having worshipped as before, one should feed brahmins with devotion and give the gift of a cow with her calf.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.129.57)

यद्भीष्मपञ्चकमिति प्रथितं पृथिव्यामेकादशीप्रभृति पंचदशीनिरुद्धम् ॥ उक्तं न भोजनपरस्य तदा निषेधस्तस्मिन्व्रते शुभफलं प्रददाति विष्णुः

yadbhīṣmapaṁcakamiti prathitaṁ pṛthivyāmekādaśīprabhṛti paṁcadaśīniruddham || uktaṁ na bhojanaparasya tadā niṣedhastasminvrate śubhaphalaṁ pradadāti viṣṇuḥ

This Bhishma-panchaka, renowned upon this earth, extends from the Ekadashi through the full moon. For one engaged in eating the prescribed foods, no prohibition has been declared therein; in this vow, Vishnu bestows an auspicious fruit.