Why Donate Sesame on Bhishma Dwadashi?

Date, Worship and Lamp Offering of Bhishma Dwadashi in Brief

Magha Shukla Dwadashi, the day right after Jaya Ekadashi, is called Bhishma Dwadashi. It is also known as Til Dwadashi, the Dwadashi of sesame. On this day the Damodara form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped and a special offering of sesame is made to him. It is believed that after the departure of Bhishma Pitamaha, the Pandavas performed tarpan and acts of charity for the peace of his soul on this very Dwadashi, under the guidance of sage Vedavyasa. In the Gregorian calendar, this tithi usually falls between late January and February.

Element of the Observance	Details
Tithi	Magha Shukla Dwadashi
Other Name	Til Dwadashi
Principal Deity	The Damodara form of Lord Vishnu
Remembrance	Bhishma Pitamaha and the rites performed by the Pandavas
Principal Acts	Sesame bath, sesame bhog, tarpan, lighting 12 lamps and sesame charity
Place of the Lamp Offering	A riverbank or the home shrine
Main Mantras	ॐ दामोदराय नमः and the 12 names of the Lord
Ekadashi Parana	The Jaya Ekadashi fast is also broken on this day
Expected Fruit	Satisfaction of the ancestors, growth of the family line, long life and fulfilment of wishes

The Basic Rules of This Day

• In the morning, bathe in water mixed with a few black sesame seeds.
• If you kept the Jaya Ekadashi fast, break it at the auspicious time given in the local Panchang.
• Offer sesame, tulsi leaves, yellow flowers and naivedya made of sesame to Lord Damodara.
• Offer tarpan to the ancestors with water mixed with sesame.
• In the evening, light 12 ghee lamps, remember the ancestors and donate sesame.

The Beautiful Sequence of Ashtami, Ekadashi and Dwadashi

The bright fortnight of Magha month is deeply linked with the memory of Bhishma Pitamaha. On Ashtami Bhishma left his body, on Ekadashi comes the fast of Jaya Ekadashi and on Dwadashi, as Bhishma Dwadashi, the rites performed for the peace of his soul are remembered. This sequence shows that in the Sanatana tradition the remembrance of a great soul is not limited to one day but continues with reverence over several days.

According to Puranic belief, after Bhishma's departure Yudhishthira and his brothers were in deep grief. Sage Vedavyasa advised them to give up grief and fulfil their duty and he described the rites of tarpan, charity and worship for the peace of Bhishma's soul. The Pandavas performed all these rites on the day of Dwadashi. In memory of this, the tithi came to be called Bhishma Dwadashi.

Who Is Lord Damodara?

On this day there is a special tradition of worshipping the Damodara form of Lord Vishnu. The word Damodara is made of 2 words. Dama means rope and udara means belly. This name is connected with a sweet childhood leela of Lord Shri Krishna.

According to the story in the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana, the child Krishna once broke Mother Yashoda's pots of butter and began feeding the butter to monkeys. Troubled by his mischief, Mother Yashoda tried to tie him to a wooden mortar with a rope. But each time the rope fell short by 2 finger widths. The mother joined many ropes together, yet the rope still fell short. At last, when the mother was tired and drenched in sweat, the Lord, moved by her love, allowed himself to be bound. Because he was tied with a rope around his belly, he came to be called Damodara.

This leela shows that no power can bind the Lord who holds the entire universe. But the innocent love of a devotee binds even Him. The worship of Damodara on Bhishma Dwadashi is a remembrance of this very love and surrender. Bhishma Pitamaha was himself a great devotee of Lord Shri Krishna and at his final hour the Lord Himself stood before him.

Why Is It Called Til Dwadashi?

Sesame has special importance in Magha month. The tradition of sesame that begins with Shattila Ekadashi in the dark fortnight is seen in its complete form on this Dwadashi of the bright fortnight. On this day sesame is used for bathing, for bhog, for tarpan, for homa and for charity. This is why it is called Til Dwadashi.

Use of Sesame	Method	Spiritual Fruit
Sesame Bath	Adding black sesame to the bathing water	Purification of body and mind
Sesame Bhog	Offering sesame laddoos to Lord Damodara	The pleasure of the Lord
Sesame Tarpan	Tarpan to the ancestors with water mixed with black sesame	Satisfaction of the ancestors
Sesame Homa	Oblations of sesame and ghee	Purification of the atmosphere and the mind
Sesame Charity	Giving a vessel filled with sesame to a Brahmin or a needy person	Imperishable merit and peace from Saturn

Why Light 12 Lamps?

On Bhishma Dwadashi it is traditional to light 12 ghee lamps on a riverbank or at the home shrine and remember the ancestors. It is believed that this greatly satisfies the ancestors, who bless their lineage with growth and long life.

The 12 lamps are linked in several ways. Dwadashi is itself the 12th tithi. There are 12 months in a year and 12 Adityas. In the Vaishnava tradition, 12 principal names of Lord Vishnu are given, known as the Keshavadi Dwadasha Nama, the 12 names beginning with Keshava. Lighting each lamp with one name makes this lamp offering even more sacred.

Lamp	Name of the Lord	Mantra
1	Keshava	Om Keshavaya Namah
2	Narayana	Om Narayanaya Namah
3	Madhava	Om Madhavaya Namah
4	Govinda	Om Govindaya Namah
5	Vishnu	Om Vishnave Namah
6	Madhusudana	Om Madhusudanaya Namah
7	Trivikrama	Om Trivikramaya Namah
8	Vamana	Om Vamanaya Namah
9	Shridhara	Om Shridharaya Namah
10	Hrishikesha	Om Hrishikeshaya Namah
11	Padmanabha	Om Padmanabhaya Namah
12	Damodara	Om Damodaraya Namah

The last of these 12 names is Damodara. Offering lamps in this sequence on Bhishma Dwadashi is especially meaningful, because this day is itself the day of Damodara's worship.

The Complete Worship Method of Bhishma Dwadashi

Time	Observance
Morning	Bath in water mixed with sesame and clean yellow clothes
Parana	If the Jaya Ekadashi fast was kept, break it at the auspicious time
Worship	Bathe Lord Damodara with panchamrit and offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves and sandalwood
Bhog	Sesame laddoos, preparations of sesame and jaggery and seasonal fruits
Tarpan	Face the south and offer tarpan to the ancestors with water mixed with black sesame
Recitation	Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or the Damodarashtakam
Charity	Donate a vessel filled with sesame, grain, clothes and dakshina
Evening	Light 12 ghee lamps and remember the ancestors along with the 12 names of the Lord

The Damodarashtakam is a famous hymn to Lord Damodara that describes the beauty and love of the child Krishna bound by Mother Yashoda. Reciting it on Bhishma Dwadashi fills the heart with devotion.

The Spiritual Fruits of Bhishma Dwadashi

• Satisfaction of the ancestors: Sesame tarpan and the offering of 12 lamps are believed to bring supreme peace to the forefathers.
• Growth of the family line: It is believed that satisfied ancestors bless their lineage with children and growth.
• Long life: The charity and worship of this day are regarded as auspicious for the long life of family members.
• Fulfilment of wishes: Tradition describes this vow as one that fulfils all wishes.
• Growth of devotion: The worship of Damodara awakens innocent love and surrender in the heart.

Bhishma Dwadashi Through the Lens of Vedic Astrology

In Vedic astrology, Lord Vishnu is regarded as the lord of the Dwadashi tithi. Sesame is linked with Saturn and the lamp with the Sun and the element of fire. In Magha month the Sun is in the sign of Saturn, so this union of sesame and lamp symbolises the balance of both the Sun and Saturn. The Sun signifies the ancestors and the 9th house is linked with ancestral grace.

Concern	Astrological Indication	Remedy on Bhishma Dwadashi
Pitru Dosha	Afflicted Sun or 9th house	Sesame tarpan and the offering of 12 lamps
Obstacles related to children	Afflicted 5th house	Damodara worship and recitation of the Damodarashtakam
Troubles linked with Saturn	Sade Sati or Dhaiya	Donating a vessel filled with sesame
Unrest in the family	Afflicted 4th house	Lighting lamps at home in the evening and chanting Vishnu's names
Blocks in fortune	Weak Jupiter	The Vishnu Sahasranama and offering yellow flowers

What Should Be Done and Avoided on Bhishma Dwadashi?

Do	Do Not
Bathe in water mixed with sesame	Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Dwadashi
Break the Ekadashi fast at the right time	Do not break the fast during Hari Vasar
Offer tarpan and lamps for the ancestors	Do not disrespect or mock the ancestors
Donate sesame and grain	Do not give spoiled items in charity
Worship Damodara with love	Do not eat meat, alcohol or tamasic food on this day

The Memory of the Ancestors Shining in a Row of Lamps

Bhishma Dwadashi is the evening when the memories of the ancestors shine in a row of 12 lamps. This day teaches that remembering and remaining grateful to those who gave everything for their descendants is not only dharma but the very root of humanity. The rites that the Pandavas performed for their grandfather still inspire every family to honour its elders.

For the person who worships Lord Damodara with love on this day, offers water mixed with sesame to the ancestors and remembers them with 12 lamps in the evening, the flames of the lamps do not merely remove darkness from the home. They become a light of ancestral blessing that keeps illuminating the path of the lineage for generations.

FAQ

When is Bhishma Dwadashi observed?
Bhishma Dwadashi is observed on the Dwadashi tithi of the bright fortnight of Magha month, the day after Jaya Ekadashi. It is also called Til Dwadashi.

Which deity is worshipped on Bhishma Dwadashi?
On this day the Damodara form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. He is offered sesame as bhog, tulsi leaves and yellow flowers.

Why is Bhishma Dwadashi called Til Dwadashi?
On this day sesame is used for bathing, bhog, tarpan, homa and charity, so it is called Til Dwadashi.

Why are 12 lamps lit on Bhishma Dwadashi?
Dwadashi is the 12th tithi and Lord Vishnu has 12 names beginning with Keshava. It is believed that lighting 12 ghee lamps in memory of the ancestors satisfies them.

What fruit does Bhishma Dwadashi bring?
It is believed that the tarpan, lamp offering and sesame charity of this day bring satisfaction to the ancestors, growth of the family line, long life and fulfilment of wishes.