I went for a blood test in a downtown lab. Great walk! I paced through the neighborhood frequented by the famous impressionist artists, the Group of Seven, to make it to the lab. There I met an amiable woman, an Afro-Canadian.

“My name is Aretha,” she said.

“Oh! As in Franklin?” I thought, Of course, she was named after her.

“After the vocalist, yes.” She said.

“That gal was the best. She had an incredible voice.”

This Aretha made a remark about my attire, the colour, and how she especially appreciated it.

“How long have you been a monk?”

“I started at the age of twenty. No regrets!” I told her, of my forty-seven year commitment.

“Well, you appear and sound peaceful!”

“At times. This is one of them.” And as I said that the needle for blood extraction did penetrate as I clenched my fist. I told her of my walking service. “I took to the road in Canada, the US and other places to encourage a healing of sorts.”

Aretha was quick to mention, “We could use some healing with the way the world is going.”

“Most definitely! But you know, the world always has this chaotic dynamic. My parents told of the Second World War and the depression. It was tough! Always will be; therefore, it should compel us to tap into our spiritual side.”

Aretha was so much in tune. I hope to meet her again for another installment of upbeat chatting.

Source: http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2020/09/monday-september-14-2020.html

Madhu means sweet. It means honey. Krishna is also called Madhu. In this material world there is one type of honey and in the spiritual world there is also a type of honey. The sweet honey in the spiritual realm is the real honey which we should hanker for. In this material world there is Kandarpa (Cupid) but in the eternal world, Madan (Cupid) is Krishna and everyone is attracted by Him.

The holy name and Krishna are non different. Even great personalities such as Brahma chant the holy name in ecstasy with his four mouths. Narada Muni joyfully plays his vina melodiously accompanying the chanting of Krishna’s name. Mahadev too, blissfully calls out the Lord’s names with his five mouths.

In this regard Rupa Goswami desires to have millions of tongues to taste Krishna’s nectarine names. He hankers for millions of ears to relish a tinge of the sweet holy name. Still with this I won’t be satisfied. Can we even estimate what we are missing out? Within the name is everything. Due to the diseased condition of our tongue we cannot delight in this sublime mantra. Still however we are tasting and delighting in prasad but there is a long way to go.

Krishna instructs the kings imprisoned by Jarasandha to become completely indifferent to the body and to constantly serve in Krishna Consciousness. In that way it will be very easy to meet with Krishna. In this life we will become joyful; Krishna is the embodiment of all joy and bliss. So we can ask ourselves, ‘Are we forgetting our bodily needs? Are we becoming joyful?’ Most evident amongst the bodily demands are eating and sleeping. In this way we can see how much we are progressing. Krishna wants to see how much we love Him and how much we are attached to Him. And Krishna’s name is more merciful than Krishna Himself. So we have to develop a taste for His name. Mahaprabhu therefore proclaimed; ‘namnamakari bahuda nija sarva sakti’. How unfortunate that I don’t have an iota of attachment for the holy names.

Bhaktivinoda Thakur says that we can assess how we are advancing by measuring the extent of compassion we have for other living entities, our attitude to engage in vaisnava seva and how attached we are to the holy names.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=33698

Video: Click here

Let us join together to hear from the very experienced Kirtan leaders from London as they reaffirm the Purpose #4 of ISKCON (To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)

About the Team

Radhika Ranjan Das

Full time working professional who has been practicing Bhakti from a young age. Much of his time is spent in sharing kirtan with diverse audiences. He is a core manager for Kirtan London and helps to oversee many of their projects.

Manu Magnin

Second generation devotee, Manu has been overseeing the annual Radhadesh Mellows Kirtan festival for the last 10 years. He also designed and established the kirtan course which helps students learn the art and history of kirtan and has been running for several years now.

Ananda Monet

Second generation devotee who regularly shares kirtan with a wide and variegated audience. For the last 7 years she has been one of the managers of Kirtan London, helping to expand the access to kirtan through various projects.

By Madhava Smullen

After World Holy Name Day was established in 1996 in honor of Srila Prabhupada’s Centennial celebrations, World Holy Name Week followed in 2008 and has been held annually ever since, with public Harinama Sankirtan, 12 and 24 hour kirtans, japathons and Holy Name-themed seminars.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the traditional methods of sharing the Holy Name are severely restricted. Thus the newly dubbed World Holy Name Festival, organized by the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry, has created ways to participate online and in smaller, safer settings.

From September 17th to 23rd, the Ministry is holding daily virtual events on its official Facebook page, as well as on ISKCON Desire Tree’s Hare Krishna TV Youtube channel, which reaches 1.2 million subscribers. Scheduled according to Indian Standard Time, they include a Japa Retreat from 5pm to 6pm every day, talks about Holy Name verses in the Bhagavatam from 6 to 7pm, Global Kirtan Mela from 7 to 8pm, and Glories of the Holy Name talks from 8 to 9pm.

Contributors to the talks and kirtans include Giriraja Swami, Sacinandana Swami, Jayapataka Swami, Mahatma Das, Urmila Devi Dasi, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, Bhurijana Das, Vaisesika Das, Ravindra Svarupa Das, Bhakti Chaitanya Swami, Narayani Devi Dasi, Indradyumna Swami, Romapada Swami, and Jayadvaita Swami.

Also contributing will be B.B. Govinda Swami, Bhaktimarga Swami, Bada Haridas, Rucira Devi Dasi, Kadamba Kanana Swami, Deena Bandhu Das, Kirtan Minister Lokanath Swami, Kripamoya Das, Anuttama Das, Rukmini Devi Dasi, and Radhanath Swami.

On Sunday September 20th, there will be a Global Kirtan Connect, featuring 24 hours of non-stop kirtan in 24 time zones, with devotees chanting online from their own homes, and garlanding the world with the Holy Name. In areas where local government regulations allow, some devotees may also do street Harinama Sankirtan, utilizing the recommended precautions.  

The Grand Finale will be a Global Japathon broadcast on September 23rd, with devotees around the world chanting 64 rounds from their homes for those who lost their lives in the pandemic, health care staff, and those still struggling with their health. An Award Ceremony on September 30th will honor, appreciate and recognize chanters, temples and devotees. 

In addition, devotees will be asked to reach out to new people and encourage them to chant, with the theme “Let’s make the world fortunate.” Run in conjunction with the Fortunate People Campaign, which was established during ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in 2016, devotees will ask their friends and relatives to chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra once #forLOVEandPEACE, and then upload a video of them doing so using the Fortunate People App.

Meanwhile temples are asked to share World Holy Name Festival and Fortunate People videos and images on their social media channels, participate in the japathon, conduct morning Bhagavatam classes on “The Glories of the Holy Name” or “The Power of the Holy Name,” and organize online webinars about attentive chanting, the importance of the Holy Names, and how Srila Prabhupada spread them around the world.

They can also organize and broadcast daily or non-stop kirtan on their official social media channels for one week, organize online interfaith discussions, press conferences and reading groups on the subject of the Holy Name, and encourage those new to Krishna consciousness to chant japa. 

Individual devotees can participate by chanting extra rounds of japa on each day of the festival (which coincides with the sacred Purushottama Month from September 18th to October 16th), and sending their pledges via “ready to download” sadhana cards available on kirtanministry.com.  

They can also make videos of themselves doing kirtan at home with family members and tag the official ISKCON Kirtan Ministry Facebook page; share inspirational video clips about the importance and practice of chanting, promote the World Holy Name Festival via their social media profile images, make Fortunate People videos of friends or relatives chanting, and send daily quotes or videos about the Holy Names via WhatsApp groups. 

Ultimately, the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry says, “There is no limit to what can be done – use your creativity and see how far you can go.”

For more information and to download posters and sadhana cards, visit https://www.kirtanministry.com/

Watch and participate in the World Holy Name Festival at https://www.facebook.com/ISKCONKirtanMinistry

Or watch videos at Hare Krishna TV here: https://www.youtube.com/user/iskcondesiretree
 

An Opportunity to Worship Supremely Merciful Lord Gauranga in Supremely Merciful Abode Navadvipa Dhama, in the Supremely Powerful Purusottama Month by performing the Supreme Spiritual activity- Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama!

Registration is free! Register Now and perform Navadvipa Parikrama from anywhere in the world through Zoom.

By registering for Navadvip dham Parikrama, you will join Sri Caitanya’s transcendental Parikrama Party with HH Jayapataka Swami as the Commander .

You will

• receive a Zoom link in your registered email ID to take part in the 6 days Navadvipa dham Parikrama.
• E- Parikrama Booklet
• On the Adhivas day ( 9th Oct), visit Yogapith ( the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya) to take Sankalpa
• Perform Navadvipa Dham Parikrama, visiting holy places in each of the nine islands in six days!
• Hear Gaura Katha from special speakers – HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami, HH Bhakti Dhira Damodar Swami, HG Jananivas Das, HG Pankajanghri Das and many others….!
• Have darshan of Ganga, Radha Kund, Shyamakund, Govardhan, Siddhabakul, Pancaveni, Pushkara Tirtha in Navadvipa!
• An opportunity to offer lamps to Sri Sri Radha Madhava every day!

“It is very interesting, as devotees will get very great spiritual credit! And so I think this is a good idea! And we hope that many devotees will participate. There are nine islands of Navadvipa – Antardvipa, Simantadvipa, Godrumadvipa, Madhyadvipa, Koladvipa, Ritudvipa, Jahnudvipa, Modadrumadvip, Rudradvipa and back to Antardvipa!

In this way we shall virtually, travel from one holy site to another.

Save your feet! And leave the walking to the Zoom! – HH Jayapataka swami

This year is unique in that no Pandemic can stop the flow of Lord Gauranga’s mercy and in fact, for the first time, you can visit  Navadvip dhama, sing the holy names of Lord, and worship Lord Gauranga and Nityananda, all from wherever you are. As rightly said by our Parikrama Commander, HH Jayapataka Swami- “Visit one holy site to another each day, Save your feet and leave the walk to zoom”!

Register Now at www.mayapuronlinefestival.com

For any inquiry, please write to us : info@mayapur.com

It is definitely a pretty part of the province, near the quiet city of Owen Sound, where several waterfalls embellish the natural beauty of the place. Nanda, Aisvarya and I took a stroll at Harrison Park, on a trail leading to the awesome, cascading Inglis Falls. Our trek was short (and more walking awaited us along Georgian Bay) but sweet, it was near escarpment cliffs and under the canopies of still-green trees. A breeze picked up and sent down residual raindrops from those trees. It took us by surprise—the sudden drops hitting us.

Our intent in visiting this area was to see the Hannas, a clan of four generations that have clung to bhakti (devotion to Krishna) over the years. We were blessed with their ecstatic kids moving as if “Jumping Jack Flashes.” I don’t want to say that because the phrase has drug induced connotations, however, what I do mean is jumping jolly young ones who are enjoying the upbeat music and song. This is what we always do when we come here: socialize, feast, walk, dance and sing—a perfect formula for contentedness.

I also spoke about the joy of the soul, in a Zoom call, to some devotees in New Jersey. The actual topic was titled “How to Make Spiritual Advancement and Have a Blast at the Same Time.” My call was broadcast from the home of Taruna and Seema, in Brampton. Good topics! I was given this topic minutes before I pressed the link for the call and I referenced Chapter Nine Verse Two from The Gita. Check it out. “Su-sukam” in Sanskrit means joyful expression.

Source: http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2020/09/sunday-september-13-2020.html

Sri Namamrta

1. The Holy Name Revives One’s Dormant, Eternal Krsna Consciousness
2. The Role of the Holy Name in the Progression of Devotional Service
3. The Holy Name Frees One from the Reactions to Sins
4. By Chanting the Holy Name, the Mind Becomes Controlled
5. The Holy Name Protects One from Pride
6. By Chanting, One Develops Forbearance
7. The Holy Name Eradicates Material Desires and Sinful Activity
8. The Holy Name Cleanses the Heart and Frees One from Material Contamination
9. The Holy Name Brings Faith in Krsna Consciousness
10. The Holy Name Liberates One from the Miseries of Material Existence
11. By Chanting the Holy Name One Becomes Enlightened
12. If One Chants His Holy Name, Krsna Becomes Pleased and Obliged
13. Krsna Helps the Sincere Chanter
14. By Chanting His Holy Name, One can Remember Krsna
15. By Chanting, One Associates with the Lord Directly
16. The Holy Name Attracts One to Krsna
17. The Holy Name Invokes an Attitude of Service to the Lord
18. By Chanting the Holy Name, One Achieves Direct Service to the Lord
19. By Chanting the Holy Name, One Comes to Understand / Realize / See Krsna
20. The Holy Name Evokes Love of God
21. The Holy Name Evokes Ecstasy
22. Chanting of the Holy Name In the State of Ecstasy
23. By Chanting the Holy Name, One Returns Home, Back to Godhead
24. Even Improper Chanting of the Holy Name Yields Beneficial Results
25. A Devotee Can be Satisfied in Any Condition of Life Simply by Chanting
26. The Holy Name Protects the Devotee from Falldown
27. The Holy Name Protects One from Danger and Fear
28. Other Instructions on the Transcendental Effects of the Holy Name
B. The Transcendental Effects of the Holy Name

Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85505

Chanting the holy names of the lord is the most profound method in this age of Kali to rise above the influences of Maya. To engage in Harinama Sankirtana is definitely the only viable process of freeing ourselves from this precarious position we have implicated ourselves in within this material world. Inaugurated by Lord Caitanya who then empowered his pure devotee, His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, we have all been exposed to this Yuga Dharma Harinam Sankirtan through which we are able to attain to the perfection of life, namely Krishna Prema.

Devotees that have taken shelter of Harinama experience a gradual unveiling of grand spiritual magnificence which is deposited within Sri Nama through their progressive devotional development. This gradual unveiling gives light through the dark dense forest of material existence and brings the sadhaka closer and closer to realizing the Holy names in its full fledged manifestation, as being non different to Sri Krishna himself.

As it is stated in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi-lila 17.22:

kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara
nama haite haya sarva-jagat-nistara

“In this age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krsna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.”

There are many advanced devotees who having dedicated their lives to chanting the holy names have had some real in-depth experiences and realizations with the holy name. These experiences and realizations can be very inspiring and act as an aid for the practicing devotee to developing a firm faith in Sri Nama.

One personality who had ample experience in dedicating his life to the chanting of the holy names was His Grace Sripad Aindra Prabhu.
Aindra Prabhu was constantly immersed in chanting the holy names throughout his Krishna Conscious life. His level of sadhana was remarkable with him chanting on average of 9-12 hours daily, be it during Kirtan or during his own personal Nama Japa. He has been chanting a minimum of one lakh Nama of personal Japa for many years and in the last year prior to his departure he had increased his daily quota from one lakh Nama to two lakh Nama.

So seeing his close relationship with Sri Harinama I thought it would be nice to share an experience and realization which Aindra Prabhu had. The following is a transcript of a conversation with Aindra prabhu speaking about a particular incident he had with the holy name. I definitely found this very inspiring as it helped to broaden my understanding on certain aspects of Nama Tattva. I am sure that it will be equally enlightening and inspiring for others as it has been for me.

Aindra Prabhu:

“Sri Harinam is not dependant on our tongue to make his divine appearance. It’s not just by articulating the syllabic sounds with this fleshy tongue that the holy name must appear.

The holy name is independent as much as Krishna is independent. So I was telling of an incident which was a very startling and amazing incident that I experienced, wherein I was being overcome by a certain Tamasic mystics tantric power. It was here in my room, but I had become paralyzed, very similar to the way that one would be paralyzed if one is attacked by a ghost.

But I could understand that it was a certain yogi of sorts in a certain Tantrics mystic power overcoming me. I was unable to escape, even though it was too late before I realized what was happening. Too late to try to counter the effect of the thing, so I became overwhelmed.

I was being paralyzed and practically speaking the purpose of the yogi was to put me into a state of suspended animation. Or in other words to put me in a comatose condition, and it was actually a very dangerous situation.

But suddenly from the sky, from above me, suddenly the Mahamantra in a very very very pure and clear sounding voice descended upon me. I cant even begin to try to reproduce that sound vibration, but the Mahamantra was independently descending.

And when the Mahamantra, the holy names descended they came to protect me, to save me, and at that time they came to me from above in the sky. And as they came toward me immediately the tantric influence dissipated. My experience was that there wasn’t anyone chanting the holy name, but rather it was the holy name who is a person who is an independent spiritual sound vibration. In other words the holy names doesn’t require someone to chant him for the holy name to manifest, but rather the holy name is an independent spiritual sound vibration. Lets say a manifestation of the personality of Godhead who has his own independent free will, his own independent unlimited omnipotent abilities.

So I had a direct experience of the personality of Godhead in his Harinama Svarup, descending and appearing to deliver me, to save me. And even now that sound, that experience is ringing in my ears. I can never forget the experience of the divine appearance of the holy name in my consciousness at that time. So on account of that experience I came to what I feel is a rather profound realization, that the holy name can appear even without the vibration of our tongue. In other words he doesn’t need us for anything, he’s independent, he doesn’t need us to vibrate, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna with this fleshy tongue for him to make his manifestation in this world.

Rather it is only because of his special causeless mercy upon certain devotes that he may choose by his own freewill to manifest by using their tongues as an instrument. In other words by engaging them in his seva he may choose to manifest by dancing on the tongue of a pure devotee. So the point that I think I was bringing out the last time we discussed, is that we should feel very privileged if Caitanaya Mahparabhu who is the personification of the holy name, if he decides to use any of us as an instrument for the propagation of the Holy name in the world. We should feel that we are very very privileged to be used as his instrument.

It is not that just because we go out on the street or in the temple and chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Its not just because we chant this configuration of sound vibration in the form of Nama akshara or the letters of the name, it is not that just because we are chanting, or that it appears that we are chanting, that we are necessarily being used as an instrument in propagating the holy name.

So the point is that we should be praying to Mahaprabhu, praying to Lord Caitanya, praying to lord Nityananda, praying to the Holy name to be granted the privilege of being used as their instruments in the matter of propagating Krishna Consciousness in the form of Sankirtana.”

harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha

“In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari.”

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=9135

Purushottam Month | 18th Sep to 16th Oct 2020

Blogs | Audio | Video 

Special Vaishnava Bhajans Sung in Purushottama Mass

During this Purushottam mass devotees perform following austerities/activities : 

Gopal’s Glorious Gang (GGG) is a children’s club in Brisbane, Australia with about 80 children, from 4 to 16 years old. Our goal in forming this club is to help each child become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, personal and spiritual growth.

The children are divided into various classes based on age groups. The kids learn Vedic wisdom, play musical instruments, act in a variety of theatre performances, play Krishna conscious games, engage in kirtana, hari-nama, book distribution and much more.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we currently hold classes via Zoom, with most students regularly attending.

‘Gopal’s Glorious Gang’ usually participate in drama performances during our major festivals, such as Janmastami. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, this was not possible this year. They therefore decided to bring the holy land of Vrindavana, Krishna’s birthplace, into Brisbane! Vrindavanadarsanais the group’s offering to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of Janmastami 2020.

Featuring the seven main temples of Vrindavana, Sri Krishna Balarama temple, Imli Thala, Seva Kunja, Nidhuvan, Kesi Ghat and Yamuna, this project involved not just the children, but their entire family.

The children came up with the idea of building replicas of the airport at Delhi and train stations at Delhi and Mathura to show how devotees visiting from overseas reach the holy land of Vrindavana.

Upon arrival in Vrindavana, where do devotees first go? They always first visit ISKCON’s Krishna Balarama Temple, which is very dear to Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya. Inside the temple you can see Srila Prabhupada’s memorial, gift shop, prasadam stall, the famous tamal tree, parikrama path, temple hall with the three altars and Srila Prabhupada on his vyasasana.

As you go along, you will see the Radha Madana Mohana temple, which was originally established by Srila Sanatana Goswami. The display includes the old temple, the new temple and Sanatana Goswami bhajana kutir. As you go further you can see the the Imli Thala temple (one of Lord Chaitanya’s favourite place in Vrindavana), followed by Seva Kunja and Nidhuvana, where Krishna performed loving pastimes with Radharani and the gopis. As you continue you can see the Radha Damodar temple and finally Kesi Ghat, one of the famous monuments in Vrindavana. Other places of special interest the children replicated include, the Radha Raman temple, the Radha Gokulananda temple, the Radha Shyamsundar temple, the Radha Gopinath temple and the Radha Govindadev temple.

Around 25 children from 9 to 14 years and their families worked on this project for nearly six weeks paying attention to every detail to ensure that the replica resembles the original as much as possible. The domes, the main entrance, the stairway, the courtyard, the altar, the memorial shrines, everything closely resembles the original temples in Vrindavana. The temples in the replica were built from re-cycled materials such as carboards, jugs, bottles, lamp-shades, thermocol, floral water-tubes, straws and were hand-painted.

The kids faced a lot of challenges. They have never been involved in a project like this before. Also most of them had never been to these temples before. They prayed to Srila Prabhupada to help them in their endeavour to please Krishna. The project gave the children an opportunity to serve together in small groups and be inspired after missing each other’s association during COVID -19.

The project was set up at the residence of a devotee a couple of days before Janmastami. The kids were engaged in kirtana, abhishek of the Lordships and games. The event concluded with prasadam.

Congregation devotees who visited the display were deeply touched by the project. They said that the children replicated the temples so well that they were able to identify the various temples easily without looking at the names. They requested us to reassemble the temples during Karthik so that they can do parikrama as no one from Australia can go to Vrindavan this year.

Events like these bring so much enthusiasm and create positive vibrations among us especially in the current tough times. We pray that we can engage the children in many more such projects in the years to come. The GGG team thanks all the children and parents involved in the project. Our special thanks to Vraja Dham prabhu for producing the photos and videos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aD6Rg3gF3mz68KX77

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkZWIUJ-sBA

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=89535

Rain, rain, please come again,
You remind me of an old friend!
Out of that unlimited expansion of the sky, Supreme Lord,
Minute portions, by the modes material nature,behind the clouds, get covered!

Clouds accumulate water from land,
Distribute it when it is required!
So does the government exact taxes from mankind,
In public welfare, it should be utilized!

During rainy season, strong winds bluster,
Carrying clouds from one place to another;
Like a rich man who, in times of need, distributes his money,
Even to the point of exhausting his whole treasury!

Clouds’ pour water on hills and rocks,
Where there is no need, in seas and oceans!
Resembling a charitable person,
Distributing everywhere, without discrimination!

Before rainfall, the surface of the earth, is depleted of all energy and is lean,
After the rainfall, it is covered with vegetation and is all green!
Temporary profit,for material pleasures after undergoing severe austerities,
If performed for realising the Supreme, brings unlimited happiness!

In the evening, many glowworms become visible,
However, Moon and stars choose to remain invisible!
In the age of Kali, atheists and miscreants, become visible prominently,
Obscured gets, the persons, who follow the Vedic injunctions strictly!

Whenever the sky is clear,
Starts and moon, reappear,
Sometimes Lord Chaitanya descends,
With the holy name, to remove the darkness!

After the first rain, there is thundering sound,
When all the frogs begin to croak!
In the darkness of Kali-yuga, everyone is sleeping,
Everyone takes to study of Vedas, by great acharyas’ calling!

Many small ponds, lakes and rivulets become filled with water;
Who otherwise remain dry, for the rest of the year.
Materialistic persons are dry, but sometimes,
With home, children and money, flourishes!

Vidyapati compares this to a drop of water in a desert,
Our desire for happiness, like ocean, which can’t quench our thirst!

The grass, trees look very green.
Changing, the entire scene!
Sometimes the farmers become very happy,
Being unaware of the Supreme Lord’s activities!

All living entities in the land, sky and water become very much refreshed,
Exactly like one, in transcedental loving service to the Lord, engaged!

When the rivers swell and rushes to the oceans and seas,
They agitate the vast ocean, it seems;
Like a person, if in spiritual life, not very advanced, gets agitated;
But one , very advanced, even if put into difficulties, is not embarrassed!

Some of the roads, gets covered with long grasses,
Like a brahmana not accustomed to perform Vedic sacrifices.
Forgets his eternal position,
Identifying with mayic production.

Lighting appears on one group of clouds and moves to another;
This is compared to lusty women, who cannot fix their minds on one man!

Sometimes rainbow appears in addition to clouds’ roaring,
Which stands as a bow without a string!
The Supreme Lord appears just like an ordinary human,
He is not resting on any material condition!

The moonlight is covered by clouds but is visible at intervals,
The moon is moving with the movement of the clouds,it sometimes appears;
For one who has identified himself with the moving material world,
By illusion,his actual spiritual luster is covered !

When the clouds appear for the first time,
The peacocks dance with joy upon seeing them.
Persons who are very much harassed in the materialistic way of life, are compared to peacocks,
Finding association of a devotee of Lord, they become enlightened and dance just like peacocks!

A person practicing austerities becomes dry,
But after penances are completed, he begins to enjoy!
Like newly grown plants and creepers,
That from the ground, grow by drinking water.

Sometimes cranes and ducks meander continually on the banks of the lakes and rivers,
Although the banks are filled with muddy garbage and thorny creepers.
Persons who are householders without Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
Are constantly tarrying in material life, in spite of all kinds of inconveniences!

Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura prays that he will have the association,
Of a person, either householder or has taken renunciation;
Who is engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord,
Who is always crying the holy name of Gaurachand!

Heavy torrents of rain, breaks barriers around agricultural land,
Like unauthorized atheists propaganda breaks Vedic injunctions;
The clouds, tossed by the wind, deliver water which is welcomed like nectar;
Distribution of such wealth is also nectarean, when inspired by brahmanas, performed by rich men like kings and wealthy members!

~Snigdhamayi Sudevi Devi Dasi
Based on Description of Autumn by Srila Prabhupada in Krishna book.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=89525

Today it is 55 years ago that Srila Prabhupada set foot on US soil for the first time, having being brought there by a ship called Jaladuta. It was one of the many vessels of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company from Bombay, one of the oldest shipping companies in India, founded in 1919. At the time the company was lead by Srimate Moraji, named Jamuna, who joint the business at the tender age of 20 years and build it from humble beginnings to one of India’s largest with a fleet of 43 vessels and a combined deadweight of 550,000 ton.

By 1946 she was a part of the directors board and managing 6,000 employees. For her service to the industry she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civil honour in India. It was this lady that granted Srila Prabhupada a free travel, including meals, from Calcutta to New York on board the Jaladuta, a journey that started on 13th August – and terminated on 19th September 1965. For sure that she was no ordinary person, but an important part in Krsna’s plan. The Jaladuta itself was build by Lubecker Flenderwerke AG in Lubeck North Germany. This shipyard build a number of vessels for Scindia, as it was famous for its modern design, high mechanical and technical know how.

The Jaladuta was launched on 10th March 1959, an article on this event with original b/w photos was published by Dandavats on 6th March 2019 (See below). This ship had not only a modern look to it, but was equipped with a set of four ultra powerful diesel turbo engines, making it a top of the range cargo vessel in its days. By the time Srila Prabhupada set foot on the Jaladuta it had well dealt with all the child sicknesses of a newly build vessel and was the fastest and smoothest around. How Krsna hand picked the best for His devotee. The journey of the Jaladuta itself came to an end in 1983 when it was dismantled by S Jain Shipbreakers in Calcutta, work believe to have started on 30th April of that year. Why Scindia decided to scrap this vessel is unclear. One reason is a change in the shipping market, were suddenly bigger vessels with a larger tonnage took over and smaller ships like the Jaladuta were no longer relevant to the business model at the time. Another reason can be found on the website Shipspotting. com an article by Malcolm Cranfield. He concludes that the Jaladuta was involved in a collision between Kotka-Finland and Uddevala-Sweden in October 1982. And that this was the reason the vessel was then scrapped. Whatever the reasoning, the fact the Jaladuta was scrapped is stated in Marine News Volume 8 of 1983. This Srimad Bhagavatam of the shipping industry confirms the dismantling of the Jaladuta on page 449 of its August edition, this together with the sister vessels Jalakirti and Jalakrishna. The archivist of the now deduct shipbuilder Lubecker Flenderwerke AG has published a book earlier this year about the history of this German shipyard and mentioned therein the Jaladuta and Srila Prabhupada his journey on the vessel.

He also highlighted the remarkable arrangement of the Messenger of the Water, Jaladuta, carrying the Messenger of Krsna, Srila-Prabhupada.

My research for the Jaladuta has now come to an end, a journey that started in 1995 in Karnua Bhavan Scotland. All photos and artefacts acquired during this voyage will be donated to The Bhaktivedanta Archives, the publishers of The Jaladuta Diary.

Please find below newly found pictures of;

* Menu at the launch dinner of the Jaladuta, 10th March 1959
* The Jaladuta leaving Aden, 1965
* Passenger List at Boston Harbour, 17th September 1965
* Archive book Lubecker Flenderwerke AG.

Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=89485

Two divisions of sastra-smarta and paramartha

The Vedic arya-sastras are divided into two sections - smarta (literature based on smrti) andparamartha (transcendental literature based onsruti). Those who are eligible (adhikari) for thesmarta section do not have any natural inclination or taste for the paramartha-sastras. The thoughts, principles, activities and life goal of every human is constituted according to his respectiveruci (inclination). Generally, smartas accept those scriptures which are in accordance with their respective ruci. Having greater adhikara forsmarta-sastra, they do not demonstrate much regard for paramarthika-sastra. Providence is the agent behind the creation of these two divisions. Therefore, undoubtedly the maintainer of the world must have a hidden purpose in having made such an arrangement.

As far as I understand, the purpose is that the jivas sequentially make progress in their level of consciousness by remaining steadfast in their respective adhikara. By deviating from one’s adhikara, one falls down. According to one’s activities, a person attains two types of adhikara—karmadhikara and bhakti-adhikhara. As long as one maintains hiskarmadhikara, he derives benefit from the path shown by the smarta section. When he enters bhakti-adhikara, by transgressing the karmadhikara, then he develops a natural ruci (inclination) for the paramarthika, or transcendental, path. Therefore, providence has made these two divisions of sastra: smarta and paramartha.

The rules and regulations of smarta sastra are committed tokarma

The smarta sastra has made various types of rules and regulations in order to help one attain nistha, steadfastness, in karmadhikara. In many instances, it even demonstrates indifference towards paramartha sastra to make people attain specific nistha in such rules and regulations. In reality, although sastra is one, it manifests in two ways for the people. If the jiva gives up adhikara-nistha, he can never attain auspiciousness. For this reason, the sastras have been divided into two: smarta and paramartha.

Adhimasa (extra month), also called mala masa (impure month), is devoid of all auspicious activities

By dividing the whole year in twelve parts, the smarta-sastras have ascertained the auspicious, or religious, activities for these twelve months. All the karma, religious activities which are part of the varnasrama system when allotted to the twelve months, leave the extra month (adhimasa) devoid of any such activity. There is no religious performance in adhimasa. In order to keep lunar months and solar months in tally, one month has to be excluded every 32 months. The name of that month is adhimasa(extra month).* Smartas have discarded this extra month, considering it abominable. They gave it names such as mala masa (impure month), cora masa (thieving month), and so on.

It is stated in Sri Surya Siddhanta that in one mahayuga there are 1,593,336 extra months and 51,840,000 solar months. Therefore, there is one extra month after every 32 months, 16 days and 4 hours of the solar calendar.
From the perspective of paramartha-sastra, adhimasa is superior and advantageous for Hari-bhajana

On the other hand, the most worshipable paramartha-sastra acclaims adhimasa as the most outstanding month for transcendental activities. Since life in this world is temporary, it is not proper to spend any part of one’s life meaninglessly. It is imperative for the jiva to remain continuously engaged in hari-bhajana at every moment. Thus, the adhimasa, which comes every third year, may also become useful for hari-bhajana. This is indeed the deep meaning of paramartha-sastras. Even thoughkarmis perceive this month to be devoid of all auspicious activities, for the deliverance of all the jivas, paramartha sastra, on the other hand, has ascertained that period as the most conducive for hari-bhajana. Paramartha sastra says, “He jiva! During thisadhimasa why should you remain lazy in hari-bhajana? Srimad Golokanatha Himself has ascertained that this month is the best of all. It is superior even to the greatly pious months of Karttika, Magha and Vaisakha. In this month, you should perform arcana of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna with special rules, or moods, for bhajana. You will thereby attain all types of perfection.”

The history and glories of adhimasa and how it received the name Purusottama

The glories of adhimasa are mentioned in the thirty-first chapter of the Naradiya Purana. Adhimasa considered the sovereignty of the twelve months and saw that he was being slighted. He went to Vaikuntha and related his dilemma to Sri Narayana. Out of compassion, Vaikuntha-pati took Adhimasa with Him and appeared before Sri Krsna in Goloka. After hearing about the distress of malamasa (the impure month), Sri Krsna’s heart melted and He spoke thus:

aham etair yatha loke prathitah purusottamah
tathayam api lokesu prathitah purusottamah
asmai samarpitah sarve ye gunamayi samsthitah
mat-sadrsyam-upagamya masanamadhipo bhavet
jagat-pujyo jagat-vandyo maso ’yam tu bhavisyati
sarve masah sakamas ca niskamo ’yam maya krtah
akamah sarvakamo va yo ’dhimasam prapujayet
karmani bhasmasat krtva mam evaisyaty asamsayam
kadacin-mama bhaktanamaparadheti ganyate
purusottama-bhaktanam naparadhah kadacana
ya etasmin-maha mudha japa-danadi-varjitah
sat-karma-snana-rahita deva-tirtha-dvija-dvisah
jayante durbhaga dustah para-bhagyopajivanah
na kadacit sukham tesam svapne ’pi sasa-srngavat
yenahamarcito bhaktya mase ’smin purusottame
dhana-putra-sukham bhunktva pascad-goloka-vasabhak

“He Ramapati! Just as I am celebrated in this world by the name Purusottama, similarly, this Adhimasa too will be renowned in the world by the name Purusottama. Now I offer all My qualities to this month. Becoming like Me, from today onwards, this Adhimasa is the monarch of all the other months, and is the most worshipable and most adored in the world. All other months are sakama, that is, they will grant worldly desires. This month, however, is niskama. Those who worship this month, either without any desires (akama) or with all types of desires, will have all their karmas burnt. Then they will achieve Me. My bhaktas sometimes commit offenses, but in this Purusottama month, they will be protected from committing any offense. In this adhimasa, those greatly foolish persons who neglect to perform auspicious activities, such as japa, giving in charity, visiting and bathing at the holy places, and who are envious of the dvijas (brahmanas) are deemed wicked, unfortunate and living at the cost of others. Thus, they will not attain a scent of happiness, even in their dreams. Conversely, those who are filled with bhaktiwill take advantage of this Purusottama month to perform arcana to Me. After enjoying worldly happiness, such as wealth, sons and so on, they will eventually attain residence in Goloka.”
The glories of Purusottama month in the context of Draupadi’s history
Many episodes from the Puranas are narrated in the context of the glories of Purusottama month. One such example is Draupadi. In her previous life, she was the daughter of Medha Rsi. Even after hearing of the glories of Purusottama month from Durvasa Rsi, she neglected to observe that month. As a result, she attained many sufferings in that life and became the wife of five husbands in her birth as Draupadi. During their exile, the Pandavas followed Sri Krsna’s instructions to observepurusottama-masa-vrata and thus crossed over all their sufferings. As it is said:

evam sarvesu tirthesu bhramantah pandunandanah
purusottama-masadya-vratam cerur vidhanatah
tadante rajyam atulam avapur gata-kantakam
purne caturdase varse sri krsna-krpaya mune

“He Muni! During the period of their exile, the Pandavas traveled throughout all the holy places, and by the mercy of Sri Krsna they observed Sri Purusottama vrata with all rules and regulations. As a result of this they completed their fourteen years of exile without any obstacles and at the end attained an unparalleled kingdom.”
The account of King Drdhadhanva as spoken by Valmiki regarding Purusottama Vrata
Purusottama-masa is glorified in the account of King Drdhadhanva’s previous birth. At Badarikasrama, Narada heard the procedure of the vrata from Narayana Rsi, which Valmiki Muni then related to King Drdhadhanva in answer to the king’s questions. Just as the rules of ahanika (gayatri mantras) for brahmanas are ascertained in dharma-sastras, similarly, the obligatory activities for one observing Purusottama vrata are also delineated, beginning from the brahma-muhurta hour.
Rules for bathing in the month of Sri Purusottama
Regarding the rules for bathing during Purusottama month, it is said:

samudraga nadi-snanam-uttamam parikirtitam
vapi-kupa-tadagesu madhyamam kathitam budhaih
grhe snanam tu samanyam grhasthasya prakirtitam

“There are three types of baths as declared by the wise. Bath in the rivers which meet the ocean is the topmost. Bath in lakes, ponds and wells is the second best, and bath in one’s home is an ordinary bath.”
For one who is observing Sri Purusottama vrata, after taking bath he should observe the following:

sapavitrena hastena kuryad acamana-kriyam
acamya tilakam kuryad-gopi-candana-mrt-snaya
urddhvapundra mrjum saumyam dandakaram prakalpayet
sankha-cakradikam dharyam gopi-candana-mrtsnaya

“After bathing one should perform acamana with clean hands. One should then make paste of gopicandanaclay and wear simple, beautiful, straight urddhvapundra tilaka on his forehead and the marks of conch, disc and so on, on his body.”
The exclusive worship of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna is Obligatory in Purusottama month
The worship of Sri Krsna is the obligatory activity of Purusottama month.

purusottama-masasya daivatam purusottamah
tasmat sampujayed bhaktya sraddhaya purusottamam

Valmiki said, “He Drdhadhanva! Purusottama Sri Krsna is the presiding deity of the Purosottama month. Therefore, being filled with bhakti-sraddha, you should worship Purusottama Sri Krsna with sixteen types of paraphernalia every day of this month. As it is said:
sodasopacarais ca pujayet purusottam

“The worship of the divine couple Sri Sri Radha-Krsna is indeed obligatory in Purusottama masa.”
agaccha deva devesa sri krsna purusottama
radhaya sahitas catra grhana pujanam mama

Activities forbidden in the month of Purusottama
All the rules and regulations regarding Sri Purusottama vrata, which we have presented above from these sastras, should be followed by religiously devoted persons of all the varnas (castes). The Naradiya Purana concludes by saying that in the holy place of Naimisaranya, Sri Suta Gosvami spoke to the assembled devotees as follows:
bharate janurasadya purusottam-uttamam
na sevante na srnvanti grhasakta naradhamah
gatagatam bhajante ’tra durbhaga janmajanmani
putra-mitra-kalatrapta-viyogad duhkha bhaginah
asmin mase dvija srestha nasacchastrany udaharet
na svapet para-sayayam nalapet vitatham kvacit
parapavadan na krayan na kathancit kadacana
parannanca na bhunjita na kurvita parakriyam

“Even after taking birth in India, those who are the lowest of mankind remain attached to household life and never hear the glories of Sri Purusottama vrata; nor do they observe it. Such unfortunate persons undergo the suffering of repeated birth and death and the distress inflicted by the separation from sons, friends, wife and other relatives.

“O best of the dvijas! In this Purusottama month, one should not uselessly discuss worldly literature or mundane poetry. One should not sleep on the bed of others nor indulge in discussions of worldly sense enjoyment. One should not criticize others, eat foodstuffs cooked by others, or perform activities prescribed for others.”

The obligatory activities in the Purusottama month
vittasathyam akurvano danam dadhyad dvijataye
vidyamane dhane sathyam kurvano rauravam vrajet
dine dine dvijendraya dattva bhojanam-uttamam
divasasyastame bhage vrati bhojanam acaret
indradyumnah satadyumno yauvanasvo bhagirathah
purusottamam aradhya yayur bhagavadantikam
tasmat sarva prayatnena samsevya purusottamah
sarva sadhanatah sresthah sarvartha phala-dayakah
govardhana-dharam vande gopalam gopa-rupinam
gokulotsavam-isanam govindam gopika-priyam*
kaundinyena pura proktam imam mantram punah punah
japan-masam nayed bhaktya purusottamam-apnuyat
dhyayen-navaghana-syamam dvibhujam muralidharam
lasat pita-patam ramyam sa-radham purosottamam
dhyayam dhyayam nayen-masam pujayan purusottamam
evam yah kurute bhaktya svabhistam sarvam apnuyat

“Giving up miserliness, one should give in charity to the brahmanas. If a person remains miserly even though he has wealth, his miserliness will be the cause of his going to Raurava (one type of hell). Everyday one should feed the Vaisnavas and brahmanas with the best foodstuffs. A person who is following the vows should take his food in the eighth part of the day. Indradyuyamna, Satadyuyamna, Yauvanasva and Bhagiratha attainedsamipya, close association of Bhagavan by worshiping the Purusottama month. One should perform service to Purusottama with all of one’s endeavors. Such service to Purusottama is superior to all types of sadhana and fulfills all variety of desires. In a previous age, Kaundilya Muni repeatedly chanted the mantra ‘govardhana-dharam vande’. By chanting this mantra with devotion during Sri Purusottama month, one will attain Sri Purusottama Himself. One should devote Purusottama month to constantly meditating upon nava-ghana dvibhuja muralidhara pitambara Sri Krsna with Sri Radha. Those who do this with devotion will have all their cherished desires fulfilled.”

“I worship the lifter of Govardhana, Gopala, who has the form of a gopa. He is the festival of Gokula (gokula-utsava), the Supreme Controller of all (isvara), and He is Govinda the beloved of the gopis (gopika-priyam).”
The observance for transcendentalists – svanistha, paranistha andnirapeksa
There are three types of transcendentalists: svanistha — those who are steadfast in their personal vows; paranisthita — those who are steadfast in following the vows set forth by their respective acaryas; and nirpeksa — those who are indifferent to the above two types of steadfastness.* All the activities mentioned above for Purusottama month are prescribed for svanistha transcendentalists. Paranisthita bhaktas are eligible to observe Purusottama vrata according to the rules and instructions of Karttika vrata prescribed by their respective acaryas. Nirapeksa bhaktas repect this sacred month by daily honoring sri bhagavat prasad with one-pointed attention, following some routine for sravana and kirtana of sri harinama according to their capacity.

Svanistha and paranisthita bhaktas are generally householders and nirapeksa bhaktas are renunciates.
The following statement from Visnu Rahasya, which is the topmost instruction of Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa, recommends:
indriyarthesv-asaktanam sadaiva vimala matih
paritosayate visnum nopavaso jitatmanah

“Those whose intelligence has been purified by bhakti are detached from the inclination for sense enjoyment. The intelligence of such persons is naturally pure; therefore, they are jitatma, they have conquered their minds. It is by their innate bhakti, rather than by upavasa (fasting) and other such activities, that they have purified their minds and are thus able to please Sri Krsna at all times.”
The innate ruci (inclination) and obligatory activities of ekantika bhaktas
Therefore, Srila Sanatana Gosvami has concluded his book Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa by presenting the following statements for one-pointed devotees:
evam ekantinam prayah kirtanam smaranam prabhoh
kurvatam param-pritya krtyam-anyan na rocate
bhavena kenacit presthah sri murter-anghri sevane
syad icchyaisam svatantrena sva-rasanaiva tad-vidhih
vihitesv eva nityesu pravartante svayam hite
ityady ekantinam bhati mahatmyam likhitam hi tat

“Ekantika bhaktas (one-pointed devotees) of Sri Krsna consider sri krsna-smarana and sri krsna-kirtana alone to be the most fulfilling and valued activities. Generally, they do not engage in any other angas of bhakti besides these two, which they cultivate with great love and affection. Their eagerness for these angas is so strong that no other activity can captivate their taste. They develop an intense desire to serve the lotus feet of Sri Krsna in a specific mood. Therefore, they render service to the lotus feet of Sri Krsna with moods which are favorable to their own rasa, along with some independence (to give up the injunctions which are unfavorable to their cultivation). This alone is their vidhi. The ekantika bhaktas are not bound to follow all the rules and regulations which have been prescribed by the rsis. The moods of the ekantika bhakta’s inborn, natural disposition generally remain prominent. This is their glory.”

Adhimasa is dear to bhaktas as there is no disturbance from the karma-kanda in this month.

The bhaktas observe Sri Purusottma month according to their respective adhikara; this means according to the distinctions of the moods of svanistha, paranisthita andekantika bhaktas. Bhagavan Vrajanatha Sri Krsna is the sovereign of this month; therefore, adhimasa is dear to every bhakta. This is because, incidentally, in this month no disturbance from the karma-kanda can come to obstruct the performance of one’sbhakti.

Translated by the Rays of The Harmonist team
from Sri Gaudiya Patrika Year-2, Issue-4
Published in English for the first time in Rays of The Harmonist Number 8, Summer 2001

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=8447

The dream came true! We hit the road for Czech Padayatra again, for the 27th time. It was an absolutely nectarian and merciful highlight of the year. We left the gray comfort zone of our average troubled daily lives – which are full of danger at every step. Danger in the form of forgetting Krishna, Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, and the ocean of mercy of traveling Lords Chaitanya and Nityananda. There are no glimpses of forgetfulness during Padayatra as all are protected here. Wandering from town to town, village to village – with continuous kirtan, book and maha prasadam distribution, we experienced real life – the glory of the sankirtan movement. It is a revitalizing aspect of our spiritual lives and everyone who participated in the Padayatra (with numbers varying from 30 to 70 devotees) could realize the incredible power of traditional ways of preaching. Just to walk and preach God’s glory is really glorious. The immense nectar we received can be hardly described. The mercy and ecstasy were flowing as the Ganga does during a flood. We were simply swimming in blissful kirtan from village to village. We were as gulabs floating in the sweet juice of the Holy Name. With every step, village, and evening preaching program – the nectar of the confidential service of Lord Gauranga and Lord Nityananda was thickening. Oh, what bliss! But it is now over, only memories have remained.

Not really, not only memories are left. There were 3,000 of Srila Prabhupada’s books distributed in over 20 cities and villages and many people who experienced the Hare Krishna movement in depth. What mercy! Just imagine: a small, sleepy, ordinary village suddenly wakes up to devotional service to the Lord. With harnima and Nitay-Gaurasundara Deities to take darshan of – many brought flowers for garlands, fruits, vegetables, and gave hay and bran for oxen. During the evening program they heard the philosophy, tasted delicious prasadam (fresh pakoras, raita, sweets, and maha prasadam), watched Bharatnatyam dance, a theatre performance about the liquid beauty, and many joined the kirtan. Nearly 1,000 children and adults took the opportunity for face painting (including tilak) during the entirety of the event. Oh, what a change for the village, for every conditioned soul, but for the devotees too. During the three weeks of Padayatra devotees shared the satisfaction of Gaura-Nitay in their hearts, creating a really fascinating atmosphere of cooperation and dedication. It was an enriching spiritual experience for the villagers when Padayatra visited their home place, and the devotees were extremely enriched with a deep experience of traditional preaching, solidarity and devotion.

Here is a short story: During the last days of Padayatra we walked quite a long route through a forest, with no living being to be seen. However, the kirtan in front of the bull cart was as enthusiastic as always. I was telling myself that at least the trees will benefit from it – it’s not my business to judge the situation, but rather to sing the Holy name from full lungs. Suddenly a car drove by, stopped ahead of us, and seemed to be waiting. As we were getting closer and closer, an elderly couple got out of the car and greeted us with real astonishment and folded hands. They took pictures, bought many books from devotees, walked with us for some time and also tried to sing with us. When they were passing by with their car again to continue on their journey, they waived and were full of bliss and happiness. The same day they came for our evening program. This year, due to Coronavirus circumstances the people were very enthusiastic. Often almost the whole village came for the evening program – and did not want to leave. They listened to the lecture carefully, happily took prasadam, and during the final kirtan – when mostly kids were dancing, they danced and sang with full enthusiasm in front of the bull cart. After that they expressed that it was their first contact with devotees, however the most important one.

Oh, now we can just water the nectar in our hearts. No need to only wait for the next Padayatra, it can be every day by sharing the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, the Holy name, and prasadam. If someone would need a strong boost in his/her spiritual life or would like to taste real ecstasy, please sign up for next year’s Padayatra. There are still some vacant spaces available.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=89523

Both the Gregorian and Vedic calendars comprise twelve months. But whereas the number of days in each month varies in the Gregorian calendar, the Vedic months are all of the same duration: about fourteen days from the new moon to the full moon and from the full moon to the new. The day of the new moon is known as amavasya, and the full-moon day is known as purnima. And just as the Gregorian calendar is periodically adjusted during years known as “leap” years, the Vedic calendar is also adjusted, every three years. But whereas the Gregorian adjustment adds one day to the month of February, the Vedic adjustment adds one month, known as the adhika-masa, to the other twelve. Adhika means “extra,” and masa means “month.” The word adhika also means “greater,” and the adhika-masa, also known as purusottama-masa, the month of Purusottama (Vishnu, or Krishna), is considered to be the greatest of all months of the Vedic calendar.

As related in the Padma Purana, a very long time ago the great sage Narada Muni visited the incarnation of Godhead Narayana Rsi at His ashram in Badarika and humbly requested Him to explain something that would help both householders and renunciants attain the supreme abode of the Lord. Lord Narayana agreed and began to explain the glories of the month of Purusottama, which He said was “fully potent to grant not only all material happiness but also qualify one to return back to Godhead at the end of life.” Narada Muni had never heard about that particular month, and he was very eager to learn about it, including the duties one should perform.

Krsna, in the chapter entitled “Prayers by the Personified Vedas,” indicates that the Vedas, which emanated from the breathing of Maha-vishnu, serve Him in personified forms. The Supreme Lord is a person, and His emanations have personal forms too. The personified form of the earth is known as Bhumidevi, the Ganges personified is known as Gangadevi, and the personality of the sun is known as Suryadeva. Likewise, the Vedic months have personified forms.

So, Lord Narayana told Narada Muni that one day, by the arrangement of providence, an extra month appeared in this world. People, who are often afraid or at least suspicious of strangers, turned their backs on the extra month personified, thinking her to be inauspicious, dirty, and untouchable. Unhappy, she went to Vaikuntha to explain her situation to Lord Vishnu. Falling at His lotus feet, she appealed to Him. Crying and crying, she said that within the whole material manifestation, she alone was unprotected, without even a name. Lamenting, “I want to die! I want to die!” she fainted at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Lord Vishnu requested Garuda to fan the extra month, and when she regained consciousness He caught her by the hand and brought her straight to Goloka Vrindavan. She was still crying loudly, and Sri Krishna expressed His surprise that anyone would cry upon entering Goloka Vrindavan, the rarely attained supreme abode. After paying His obeisances to Lord Krishna, Vishnu explained the miserable condition of the extra month and begged Krishna to please protect her. Now, one might wonder why Lord Vishnu, who is also the Supreme Personality of Godhead, did not give her protection Himself. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.3.28), we find that all of the incarnations of the Lord are either plenary portions or portions of plenary portions of Sri Krishna, the original Personality of Godhead. As such, Krishna’s expansions also take pleasure in His service and association. So, Lord Vishnu showed compassion and brought the extra month to Sri Krishna.

Lord Krishna praised Vishnu for bringing Him the extra month and said that because Vishnu had already accepted her, He would accept her too. Not only that, but He would also infuse her with all of His opulences, potencies, and divine qualities. “Named after Me,” Sri Krishna said, “this month will be famous in this world as the Purusottama masa, and I Myself will become her protector. Everyone should offer respect to her and worship her. She will be as qualified as I am to give any type of benediction to the worshipper. Just by worshipping her, one can burn all of one’s past sinful reactions to ashes, enjoy a blissful life in the material world, and at the end return back to Godhead. Those who perform austerities, observe vows of celibacy, engage in pious activities, or fast for their entire life cannot attain My Goloka. But simply by practicing devotional service during this sacred month of Purusottama, anyone can easily perfect his life.”

The Lord gave a specific list of activities to be performed during the month of Purusottama: chanting His holy name, especially the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare; singing bhajanas glorifying His activities; studying Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita (especially the fifteenth chapter, which deals with purusottama-yoga, “The Yoga of the Supreme Person”); giving in charity according to the directions given in the seventeenth chapter of the Gita; and offering ghee lamps daily. If possible, one should also bathe in a holy river at sunrise, offer tulasi leaves and flowers to the Deity, circumambulate the temple, and worship the tulasi plant. Also, one should try to rise early; eat simply; observe celibacy; minimize one’s bodily demands; and be careful not to blaspheme or offend anyone, especially devotees, brahmans, saintly persons, cows, and the scriptures.

Upon hearing Sri Narayana Rsi’s glorification of the Purusottama month, Narada Muni prostrated himself again and again at the lotus feet of the Lord, exclaiming, “Oh, this Purusottama month is the best of all months, the best of all kinds of vows and austerities. Even if one just hears her glories faithfully, one will achieve devotional service to the Supreme Lord Purusottama and all of one’s sinful reactions will be nullified. One who performs the Purusottama vrata [vow] and worships her properly will achieve unlimited merit and thus attain Goloka.” Picking up his vina, Narada Muni continued, “O Lord, now my heart and mind are completely satisfied. All glories unto You! All glories unto You! And all glories unto the sacred month of Purusottama!”

Source: https://girirajswami.com/blog/?p=16366