Hare Krishna
First of all I thank this wonderful website of ISKCON Desire Tree. I remember registering here around late 2000s and having discussions over the ISKCON Desire Tree chat.
The chat was disabled during COVID in 2020, however I continue to get spiritual guidance from the moderators.
My karmi Name is Varun Pant. I got initiated by HH Bhakti Ashray Vaishna Swami Maharaj on Next to next day after Janmashtami ie 18 August 2025. My initiated name is Varuni Prannath Das.
I was researching what is Varuni, came to know that she is daughter of Lord Varuna, and wife of Lord NIthyananda. Lord Nithyananda like Varuni drink. I wish to get more information on this subject: who is Varuni and stories regarding her.
I would like to ask after initiation, we need to follow the four regulations strictly. I used to have some cold drink, green tea and sometimes chocolate as we have kids at home, now I will refrain from: -
1. Black cold drinks, drinks like sting and redbull: ie caffeinated cold drinks
2. Green Tea, hot chocolate. We have 3 free drinks in office, I observe that people with kanthi always order badam milk.
3. All outside food including office parties, marriage parties: Basically its about being prasadterian, not just vegetarian. In situations I can try having no onion no garlic food while offering the food to the Lord, from mind.
I will not comit any Vaishna Aparadh.
I will control my mind. Also, I will take care of my health so that I can serve the ISKCON movement better.
Furthermore, I will chant attentively 16 rounds or more daily, and in ekadashi and Vaishnav festivals 25 rounds or more.
Also, there is a vow not to leave ISKCON ever. There is no doubt about it. I will never leave ISKCON and wont be deviated by upcoming spiritual leaders outside ISKCON or be swayed away with them.
I would like to thank all the devotees in this forum and outside.
Your Servant
Varuni Prannath Das
Replies
Hare Krishna,
Wow Varun prabhu...finally you got initiated. I remember you were in our chat group on the IDT. Unfortunately our chat was removed. Because of some people started to misuse it.
I am really happy that one of our chat friends is now a initiated devotee in Iskcon.
Varuni is a kind of drink like Som ras.
Vasudha and Jahnava devi are two daughters of Suryadasa who were both married to Lord Nitaai.
Varuni was the drunk by Nityananda. Yes... It is an intoxicant drink of deva loka.. prepared from natural herbs.
Lord Varuna is the lord of ocean waters. .. and during samudra manthan Varuni ( drink ) in personalized form the lady araised with the drink in one hand ( a pot) and was married to Lord Varuna. ( sometimes she is referred as daughter of Lord Varuna)...
Nagas and asuras like to consume Varuni.
But then Lord Nityananda is Lord Ananta sesha. Sesha naga so again he loves Varuni because of its intoxication.
Now..... we must not confuse here because Lord Ananata drinka and demigods drink ...I shall also drink
These are Nagas from Naga loka they are habituated to drink and they have tolerance to it.
Those who take intoxicants yet those who are able to withstand the ill- effects are great.
You and me if we take such drinks we are bound to commit bad karmas..as we are conditioned souls.
Your initiated name is Varuni Prananatha dasa.. that means you are dasa ( servant of the husband of Varuni).
Nitayanada prabhu also consumed Varuni...
"Balaram's wives Varuni and Revati became Vasudha and Jahnavi, the two wives of Nityananda Prabhu, in Chaitanya-lila."
That makes her wife of Nitaai.
Your name is dasa of Nitaai indirectly which makes it a great name.
The name chosen is apt. Because, you said you had this bad habit of alcohol drinking when frustrated.
Please see that you don't get frustrated at all from now or run to alchol shop.
I know it is tough in this kaliyuga to remain totally free of frustrations but then you will be careful in future. Depend on Lord Nitaai to give you more strength to fight and deal with the crap that the world puts on you with right knowledge. Tests will be severe on you.. To make you perfected but ya you will be tested now and then by Lord. :-) Thats okay.. say to Lord that apne diya hai problem toh aap hi suljha bhi dena.... and sit calmly ....
All the best
Hare Krishna