Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure

Cloud is the latest buzz word in the field of Technology and the future. And, since I work in IT field, I thought, I should learn a bit of what's happening in this field. So, this is the result of studying after-hours, weekends. Spent about 10 hrs on this and pretty happy with the outcome.

Akshaya Tritiya - A Day for New Beginnings

Wishing you all a Happy Akshaya Tritiya Day.

Sri Radha Madhava - Mayapur Chandrodhaya Mandir

Akshaya means ‘that which does not diminish or perish’. Hence, Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring never ending success and good luck. Every year, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the 3rd day of bright half of lunar month of Vaisakha month of Hindu calendar. It is auspicious because Akshaya Tritiya day is devoted to Lord Vishnu. According to description in Puranas, performing Shri Maha Vishnu Pooja on Akshaya Tritiya removes sin and helps in attaining salvation. The Shri Maha Vishnu Puja can be simply performed with Tulsi leaves, flowers and rice grains and by reciting the names of Vishnu.

Akshaya tritiya, according to the Vedic calendar, is a day considered to be conducive to success in any significant endeavour. Traditionally, those aware of Akshaya tritiya's benefits schedule major life events—marriages, initiations, business ventures, establishing a new place of residence on this day.

Akshaya-tritiya is an important day in Vedic culture as any donation performed for the right cause is declared to yield inexhaustible results. Devotees consider this day as a reminder to surrender whatever they have in the service of the Krishna.

There are many important events recorded in the Vedic history about this day.

·     Appearance of Lord Parasurama, who is the 6^th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

·     Appearance of Maha Lakshmi from Samudra manthan – the Churning of Ocean by Demigods and Demons

·       On this day Lord Ganesha began to write Mahabharata

·       On this say, Lord Krishna saved Pandeva’s and Draupadi by having a grain of rice that was struck to the bowl. What happened was that when, Pandavas were living exiled in the forest, Duryodhana tricked the Sage Durvasa and his followers to visit them for meals. When Krishna eat that grain of rice, everyone including Durvasa and his disciples became so full that they could eat no more. And, to save themselves from the wrath of Bhima of not honoring the meals that would be served to them, they all had to quickly retreat from that place.

·      It marks the beginning of Chandana-yatra festival and festivities that runs for three weeks. To keep the Deities, cool from the scorching heat of the summer sun, the devotees apply sandalwood paste(chandana) over Radha Madhava and the other Deities.

A Story about Finding Faults in Others

Sunrise at Hare Krishna Temple Eungella, New South Wales

Don't Find Faults in Others - is not a blanket statement that applies to everyone and every situation in our lives. What we need to understand is the fine line, the context and the reason for finding faults. If you are a parent, teacher, a Manager or someone Senior in a company and need to advise, inform, correct someone for their benefit, then that is OK. Though, it is important that the fault finding should not demotivate, depress, make someone vulnerable or discouraged. It should be given in a constructive, palatable way in a spirit of concern, welfare and compassion for others. Because, remember the Law of Karma - For everything we do through our mind, words and bodily actions are all considered as Karma.

In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15 Lord Krishna explains that, aversion to fault finding is one of the qualities of a man endowed with divine nature.

In this regards, Srila Prabhupada comments in Bhagavad Gita As It Is - 16: The Divine and Demoniac Natures - "Apaisunam; means that one should not find fault with others or correct them unnecessarily. Of course, to call a thief a thief is not fault-finding, but to call an honest person a thief is very much offensive for one who is making advancement in spiritual life."

It is interesting to think and understand why do people criticize? Some common motivations for criticism are (1) gaining a sense of superiority, (2) getting back at someone who has hurt us, (3) asserting our position or belief as the best or only way, and (4) avoiding scrutiny of our own shortcomings. Identifying our motives takes honesty and courage. Specially, it is said that in spiritual life, fault finding is a anartha or unwanted habit that makes the practitioner, unhappy and unable to get the spiritual happiness and contentment in spite of following all the rules and regulations rigidly.

(Please read this story - it can save you from lot of troubles!)

Once there was a king who distributed food to the brahmana's.

One day, as he was giving out food to the priests, an eagle flew above holding a dead snake in his claws. Out of the mouth of the dead snake fell a drop of poison into the food that the king was distributing.

No one knew or saw that this had happened, so the king continued distributing the food.

The Brahmin who accidentally got the poisoned food from king died, and the king was feeling very sad about it.

One of the servants of Yamaraja (God of death) who has the service to distribute karma to the living beings has a problem. When this incident with the king and the poisoned food happened, however, he did not know who to give the karma to.

After all, it was not the eagle's fault that it carried the dead snake in its claws (since this was its food), nor was it the dead's snake fault, nor was it the king's fault because he did not know that the poison fell into the food.

However, one day, few other brahmanas entered the kingdom to meet the king.

A lady was sitting next to the road and they asked her: "Do you know where the king's palace is and how we can get there?"

She said: "Yes," and pointed at the right direction. "But, be very careful," she said, "The king is known to kill brahmanas!"

The moment she said that and criticized the king un-rightfully, that moment the servant of Yamaraja has decided. He gave her the karma of killing the brahmana!
P.S: It is said that the reason performs an action is get some result and specifically, an action that generates certain amount of Happiness for that person. In this case, the King did not get any happiness and rather he was sorrow and remorseful, the snake is dead anyway, the eagle is not bothered about what is happening, the brahmanas are dead and their relatives are grieving. The only one who got happiness is the old Women by her loose tongue and harsh, unjust words aimed towards the innocent King. And that's why, she got the bad karma of killing the Brahmanas. 

Moral of the story:

If you criticize anyone and you are right about their deeds, you get half of their bad karma.

But, if you criticize someone and you are not right about their deeds, then you get 100% of their karma.

This story can inspire us to be careful about what we think or say about people surrounding us.

Sri Ram Navami and 108 names of Lord Rama

Happy Sri Ram Navami. Jai Siya Ram, Jai Jai Siya Ram (meaning Victory to Ram the “Blissful One” and to Sita or Siya - the embodiment of the purest feminine beauty and strength).

On this auspicious day, I thought of posting this article with 108 names of Lord Rama. I was reading each name and the names filled me joy and contentment. And, then I reflected on some of the possible benefits of reading these names. Of course, to start with, the names of Lord Rama can make rocks to float in the ocean and each of these names signifies one speciality of the Lord. And, remembering these qualities brings all auspiciousness into one's life, driving away all the unwanted things. May that sharp arrows of that greatest and most compassionate archer, Lord Rama kill all those enemies called lust, anger, greed, hatred, jealousy, laziness etc.

Om shri ramaya Namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the giver of happiness

Om ramabhadraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the auspicious one

Om ramachandraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, who is as lustrous as the moon

Om shashvataya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, to the ever-lasting one

Om rajivalochanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lotus-eyed

Om shrimate namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the abode of lakshmi

Om rajendraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the king of kings

Om raghupungavaya namaha -Obeisances to Sri Rama, the most exalted of the raghu dynasty

Om janaki vallabhaya namaha -Obeisances to Sri Rama, the beloved of janaki

Om jaitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the triumphant

Om jitamitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of his enemies

Om janardhanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the refuge of the people

Om vishvamitra priyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the beloved of sage vishvamitra

Om dantaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the well-controlled one

Om sharanatrana tatparaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who is keen to protect those who take refuge in him

Om bali pramathanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the vanquisher of bali

Om vagmine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the eloquent

Om satyavache namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one of truthful speech

Om satyavikramaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who is valiant in defending truth

Om satyavrataya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one of truthful vows

Om vratadharaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who faithfully keeps his vows

Om sada hanumadashritaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who is always served by hanuman

Om kausaleyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the son of kausalya

Om kharadhvamsine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the annihilator of the demon khara

Om viradha vanapanditaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the expert in destroying the demon viradha

Om vibhishana paritratre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the protector of vibhishan

Om kodanda khandanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who broke the mighty bow

Om saptatala prabhedre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who permeates the seven planes of existence

Om dashagriva shiroharaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who cut off ravana’s heads

Om jamadagnya mahadarppa dalanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who shattered the pride of parasurama

Om tatakantakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the slayer of tataka

Om vedanta saraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the essence of vedanta

Om vedatmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the self of the vedas

Om bhavarogasya bheshajaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the reliever of all earthly ailments

Om dushanatri shirohantre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who cut off the head of dushana

Om trimurtaye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the embodiment of the three gods

Om trigunatmakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the source of the three gunas

Om trivikramaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord as vamana

Om trilokatmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the source of the three planetary systems

Om punyacharitra kirtanaya namah - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one whose story is a source of merit to those who sing it

Om triloka rakshakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the protector of the three world systems

Om dhanvine namaha -  Obeisances to Sri Rama, the wielder of the bow

Om dandakaranya kartanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the dweller in the dandaka forest

Om ahalya shapashamanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the remover of ahalya’s curse

Om pitru bhaktaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the worshipper of his father dasaratha

Om vara pradaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the giver of boons

Om jitendriyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of the senses

Om jitakrodhaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of anger

Om jitamitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who wins over friends

Om jagad gurave namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the guru of the world

Om riksha vanara sanghatine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who organized the hordes of monkeys

Om chitrakuta samashrayaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who took refuge at chitrakuta hill

Om jayanta trana varadaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who blessed jayanta

Om sumitra putra sevitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is served by sumitra’s son (lakshmana)

Om sarva devadhi devaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of all the gods

Om mritavanara jivanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who revived the dead monkeys (after the war)

Om mayamaricha hantre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the destroyer of the demon maricha who practiced illusion

Om mahadevaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the great lord

Om mahabhujaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of mighty arms

Om sarvadeva stutaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is praised by all the gods

Om saumyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the calm one

Om brahmanyaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the absolute reality

Om muni samstutaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is praised by sages

Om mahayogine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the great yogin

Om mahadaraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the noble one

Om sugrivepsita rajyadaye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who returned the kingdom to sugriva

Om sarva punyadhi kaphalaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the giver of fruits of pious work, good karmas

Om smrita sarvagha nashanaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the remover of all afflictions

Om adipurushaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the primal being

Om paramapurushaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme being

Om mahapurushaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the great being

Om punyodayaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the source of all blessings

Om dayasaraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the embodiment of compassion

Om purana purushottamaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the most ancient person

Om smita vaktraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who smiling speaks

Om mita bhashine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one of moderate speech

Om purva bhashine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the one who rarely speaks

Om raghavaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the scion of the raghu dynasty

Om ananta gunagambhiraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of infinite majestic qualities

Om dhirodatta gunottamaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of valorous qualities

Om maya manusha charitraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who incarnated as a man through his maya

Om mahadevadi pujitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is worshiped by lord shiva

Om setukrite namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the builder of the bridge (at setubandha to sri lanka)

Om jita varashaye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of desires

Om sarva tirthamayaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is the sum of all holy places

Om haraye namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the destroyer

Om shyamangaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the dark-complexioned one

Om sundaraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the beautiful one

Om suraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord

Om pitavasase namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord clad in yellow raiment

Om dhanurdharaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the bearer of the bow

Om sarva yajnadhipaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord of sacrifice

Om yajvine namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the sacrificer

Om jaramarana varjitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the conqueror of birth and death

Om vibhishana pratishthatre namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who established vibhishana on the throne

Om sarvabharana varjitaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who relinquished all adornment

Om paramatmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme self

Om parabrahmane namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme absolute

Om sachidananda vigrahaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the embodiment of existence, awareness and bliss

Om parasmai jyotishe namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme light

Om parasmai dhamne namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme abode

Om parakashaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme space

Om paratparaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme beyond the highest

Om pareshaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme lord

Om parakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who takes his devotees across (the ocean of

Samsara–birth and death)

Om paraya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme being

Om sarva devatmakaya namaha - Obeisances to Sri Rama, the lord who is the source of all gods

Om parasmai namaha -Obeisances to Sri Rama, the supreme lord.
(These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com)

Raghupati Raghava Rajaram

Patita paavana sitaram

Sundara vigraha meghashyam

Ganga tulasi salagram

Bhadra girishwara sitaram

Bhagat janapriya sitaram

Janaki ramana sitaram

Jaya jaya Raghava Sitaram

written by Sri Lakshmanacharya in a religious text titled Shri Nama Ramayanam.

When Life gives you Lemons - Make a Lemonade

Gita Jayanthi and Gita Mahatmyam

Yesterday was Gita Jayanti, the day Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita to Arjun for the benefit of the whole world.On this is special ocassion, lets read some of the glories about Bhagavad Gita from Varaha Purana.

GITA MAHATMYAM

dharo uvaca
bhagavan paramesana bhaktir avyabhicarini
prarabdham bhujyamanasya
katham bhavati he prabho
1. The Earth said: O Lord! The supreme one! How can unflinching devotion arise in him who is immersed in his worldly life, O Lord?

sri visnur uvaca
prarabdham bhujyamano hi
gita abhyasa ratah sada
sa muktah sa sukhi loke
karmana no 'palipyate
2. Lord Visnu said: Though engaged in the performance of worldly duties, one who is regular in the study of the Gita, becomes free. He is the happy man in this world. He is not bound by karma.

maha papadi papani
gita dhyanam karoti cet
kvacit sparsam na kurvanti
nalini dalam ambuvat
3. Just as the water stains not the lotus leaf, even so, sins do not taint him who is regular in the recitation of the Gita.

gitayah pustakam yatra
yatra pathah pravartate
tatra sarvani tirthani
prayaga 'dini tatra vai
4. All the sacred places of pilgrimage like Prayaga, etc., dwell in that place where the book, the Gita, is kept and where the Gita is read.

sarve devas ca rsayo
yoginah pannagas ca ye 
gopala gopika va 'pi
narado 'ddhava parsadaih
5. All the gods, sages, yogi, divine serpents, gopala, gopika (friends and devotees of lord Krsna), Narada, Uddhava and others (dwell there).

sahayo jayate sighram
yatra gita pravartate
yatra gita vicaras ca
pathanam pathanam srutam
tatra aham niscitam prthvi
nivasami sadai 'va hi
6. Help comes quickly where the Gita is recited and, O Earth, I dwell at all times where the Gita is read, heard, taught and contemplated upon.

gita 'sraye 'ham tisthami
gita me co 'ttamam grham
gita jnanam upasritya
trinllokan palayamy aham
7. I take refuge in the Gita and the Gita is my best abode. I protect the three worlds with the knowledge of the Gita.

gita me parama vidya
brahma rupa na samsayah
ardha matra 'ksara nitya
sva 'nirvacya padatmika
8. The Gita is my highest science, which is doubtless of the form of Brahman, the eternal, the ardhamatra (of the sacred monosyllable om), the ineffable splendour of the self.

cidanandena krsnena
prokta sva mukhato 'rjunam
veda trayi parananda
tattva 'rtha jnana samyuta
9. It was spoken by the blessed Krsna, the all-knowing, through his own mouth to Arjuna. It contains the essence of the three veda, knowledge of the reality. It is full of supreme bliss.

yo astadasa japen nityam
naro niscala manasah
jnana siddhim sa labhate
tato yati param padam
10. He who recites the eighteen chapters of the Gita daily, with a pure, unshaken mind, attains perfection in knowledge, and reaches the highest state or supreme goal.

pathe 'samarthah sampurne
tato 'rdham patham acaret
tada go danajam punyam
labhate na 'tra samsayah
11. If a complete reading is not possible, even if only half of it is read, he attains the benefit of giving a cow as a gift. There is no doubt about this.

tribhagam pathamanas tu
ganga snana phalam labhet
sadamsam japamanas tu
soma yaga phalam labhet
12. He who recites one-third part of it achieves the merit of a bath in the sacred Ganga, and he who recites one-sixth of it attains the merit of performing a soma ritual.

eka adhyayam tu yo nityam
pathate bhakti samyutah
rudra lokam avapnoti
gano bhutva vasec ciram
13. That person who reads one chapter with great devotion attains to the world of Rudra and, having become an attendant of lord Siva, lives there for many years.

adhyaya sloka padam va
nityam yah pathate narah
sa yati naratam yavat
manvantaram vasundhare
14. If one reads a quarter of a chapter or even part of a verse daily, he, O Earth, retains a human body till the end of a world-cycle.

gitayah sloka dasakam
sapta panca catustayam
dvau trin ekaih tad ardham va
slokanam yah pathen narah
candra lokam avapnotii
varsanam ayutam dhruvam
gita patha samayukto
mrtomanusatam vrajet
15,16. He who repeats ten, seven, five, four, three, two verses or even one or half a verse, attains the region of the moon and lives there for ten thousand years. Accustomed to the daily study of the Gita, the dying man comes back to life again as a human being.

gita abhyasam punah krtva
labhate muktim uttamam
gite 'ty uccara samyukto
mriyamano gatim labhet
17. By repeated study of the Gita he attains liberation. Uttering 'Gita' at the time of death, one attains liberation.

gita artha sravana 'sakta
maha papa yuto 'pi va
vaikuntham samavapnoti
visnuna saha modate
18. Though full of sins, one who is ever intent on hearing the meaning of the Gita, goes to the kingdom of God and rejoices with lord Visnu.

gita artham dhyayate nityam
krtva karmani bhurisah
jivanmuktah sa vijneyo
deha 'nte paramam padam
19. He who meditates on the meaning of the Glita, having performed a lot of good actions, attains the supreme goal after death. Such a man should be known as a jivanmukta (sage liberated while living).

gitam asritya bahavo
bhubhujo janaka 'dayah
nirdhuta kalmasa loke
gita yatah param padam
20. In this world, taking refuge in the Gita, many kings like Janaka and others have reached the highest state or goal, purified of all sins.

gitayah pathanam krtva
mahatmyam naiva yah pathet
vrtha patho bhavet tasya
srama eva by udahrtah
21. He who fails to read this Glory of the Gita after having read the Gita, loses the benefit thereby, and the effort alone remains.
(This is to test and to confirm the faith of the reader in the Gita. It is not a mere book but the Song of God and should therefore be studied with great faith and devotion which this Glory of the Gita generates in one's heart.)

etan mahatmya samyuktam
gita 'bhyasam karoti yah
sa tat phalam avapnoti
durlabharn gatim apnuyat
22. One who studies the Gita, together with this Glory of the Gita, attains the fruits mentioned above and reaches the state which is otherwise very difficult to attain.

suta uvaca
mahatmyam etad gitaya
maya proktam sanatanam
gitante ca pathed yas to
yad uktam tat phalarnlabhet
23. Suta said: This greatness or Glory of the Gita which is eternal, as narrated by me, should be read at the end of the study of the Gita and the fruits mentioned therein will be obtained.

iti sri varaha purane gri gita mahatmyam sampurnam
Thus ends the Glory of the Gita contained in the Varaha purana.

Bhishma Panchaka - the last Five days of Kartika 2018

Bhishmadev on a bed of arrows

The last 5 days of the month of Kartika are traditionally known as the Bhishma Panchaka or the Vishnu Panchaka. Grandfather Bhisma fasted for these five days, preparing to give up his life. Grand Sire Bhisma had this benediction of Iccha Mrtyu or ability to die and leave his body when he wished to. The pastime of passing away of Bhisma explained in the Canto 1, Chapter 9 of Srimad Bhagavatham is a wonderful narration where, there is an assembly of various sages, demigods, Pandavas to witness this important and amazing event.Even and Lord Krishna himself was personally present to give his darshan. Thus, Bhisma gave up his physical body by fixing his gaze and attention the Supreme Lord Krishna and thus achieving the highest perfection of life.

Bhishma Panchaka begins in the month of Kartik,on Ekadasi and ends on Purnima (This year starting from today 19th Nov to 23rd Nov).

In the Hari BhaktiVilasa, it is said that if one is capable, one should observe fasting from certain foodstuffs on the Bhishma-panchaka for the pleasure of the Lord. This is optional. "The fast should begin by remembering Bhismadeva on the Ekadasi day and should end on Purnima [the full moon]. The Padma Purana say that one pleases the Lord and makes spiritual advancement by such austerities.

Bhishma Panchaka fasting Details (18/11/2018)*: -

By following these days of Bhishma Panchaka fasting one gets the benefit of all the four chaturmasya fasting if one had been unable to follow the same.

Bhisma Pancaka Fasting:

The fasting starts on Ekadasi Day which is 19th November (Monday) and will continue until the 23rd November Rasa Purnima Day (last day of caturmasya, last day of Damodara month). The fasting is broken at sunset (or at moon rise) on Rasa Purnima day. Generally, it is recommended to do full fast on Ekadasi and then the following days fruits and roots fasting. Or one can do all the days with fruits and roots fasting.

Levels of fasting:

Devotees can choose whichever level of fasting as is convenient to them. It should not disturb their normal devotional service(s) and daily sadhana.

Level 1:

One can consume products of the cow (pancha-gavya) each for each day.

First day: Cow dung (Gomaya)

Second day: Cow urine (Go-muutra)

Third day: Cow milk (Kshiira)

Fourth day: Cow yoghurt (Dadhi)

Fifth day: All products of the ccow mixed (Pancha-gavya)

Level 2:

If one can't follow level 1, one can take fruits and roots. Fruits with many seeds should be avoided like guava, pomegranate, papaya, cucumber etc. Boiled potatoes, raw banana and sweet potato can be taken boiled or baked. We can use sea salt for taste. Cashewnuts, raisins, dates can be taken. We shouldn't take milk and milk products in this level of fasting. Coconut water and grated coconut can be taken.

Level 3:

If one can't follow level 2, one can take "Havishya."

References: Padma Puraana, Brahma-khanda, Chapter 23; Skanda Puraana, Vishnu Khanda, Kaartika Maahaatmya section, Chapter 32; Garuda Puraana, Puurva Khanda, Chapter 123.

Ingredients as mentioned in Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa (13.10-13):

The following are ingredients that can be taken during Bhisma pancaka. Havishya is usually made with rice and mung dal. For those following caturmasa from ekadasi to ekadasi, technically their Kartika masa is over by ekadasi, so they can take mung dal in their havishya. However, most devotees follow caturmasa from purnima to purnima, so mung dal would not be allowed in the havishya for Bhisma Pancaka. No oil is allowed.

 * Rice which is unparboiled - raw or polished, unpre-cooked.

* Ghee from cow

* 'Saindhava' salt (mineral salt)

* Ripe banana

* Kaala-shaaka

* Wheat

* Barley

These ingredients are also allowed to be taken:

* Fruits (Skanda Puraana, Naagara Khanda says they must be with a small seed or with few seeds only)

* Mango

* Jackfruit

* Labali fruit

* Roots except 'keaa' (a type of grass or root)

* Pippalii

* Haritakii

* Naagaranga

* Ikshu-dravya or sugarcane derivatives (other than gur or mollasses)

* Whole milk with cream from a cow.  

The following ingredients are normally part of Havishya but have to be

avoided in the month of Kaartika:

* Mung dal

* Til oil

* Beta-shaaka

* Shashtikaa-shaaka

* Radish

* Jeeraa

* Tamarind

One should take bath in Ganges or a holy river every day and should offer tarpana 3 times for Bhismadeva by saying the following mantra:

Tarpana mantra:

(Tarpana is when the Brahmin thread is put backwards (if applicable) and water is taken in both hands. The mantra is chanted and then the water is offered with tilting both hands to the right and downwards so that the water flows down the right thumb. This is a way of offering oblations to the forefathers. You do that for Bhisma on Bhisma Pancaka.)

Tarpana:

om vaiyaghra padya gotraya

samkrti pravaraya ca

aputraya dadamyetat

salilam bhismavarmane

Arghya:

vasunamavataraya

santanoratmajaya ca

arghyam dadami bhismaya

ajanma brahmacarine

Pranam:

om bhismah santanavo birah

satyavadi jitendriyah

abhiradbhiravapnatu

putrapautrocitam kriyam

** If you do not have any holy rivers nearby:

Those who chant "Ganga, Ganga, Ganga" get the benefit of bathing in the holy river which can be done from anywhere. Devotees can bathe in any river, lake or the ocean.

Offerings to the Lord:

Devotees may offer the following flowers to the Deity:

On the first day, one must offer padma (lotus) flowers to the feet of the Lord.

On the second day, one must offer bilva (wood-apple) leaves of the thigh of the Lord.

On the third day, one must offer gandha (scents) to the navel of the Lord.

On the fourth day, one must offer java flower to the shoulders of the Lord.

On the fifth day, one must offer malati flower to the head (siro-desa) of the Lord.

When there is an overlap of days (tithis), then the flowers for the overlap days can be offered on the same day.

** If you do not have the flowers, then mentally offer the specified flower to the specified place of the Lord.

*Reference: Garuda Puraana by HH Jayapataka Swami ISKCON.