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 Purushottama, the holy month, occurs once every three years - a period believed to be the most favourable for spiritual upliftment . It is also called mala masa (dirty month) by the performers of karma-kanda because they cannot get any material fruitive results from their worship during this month. Our acaryas elucidate that it is called mala masa because devotional activities performed in this month destroy the dirt and contamination caused by sins. 

It is called adhika (extra) masa because Sri Krishna has placed all His potencies, mercy, blessings in this month, and also because one gets more results from any pious act. Only devotional service (Krishna-bhakti) give results in this purusottama month. 

Krishna’s Favourite Month

Of all months, Purusottama is Krishna's favorite month.  In the Gita, Krishna says: "I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as that Supreme person: Purushottama" (15.18). The Lord of the Universe, Jagannath, is also known as Purushottama. His abode, Puri, is known as Purushottama-Dhama. 

Just as Krsna is the supreme among all incarnations, Purusottama is the supreme and holiest among all the months. 

The Glories of Purusottama month based on authoritative bonafide Vedic scriptures (from Padma Purana and Skanda Purana) 

1. Lord Sri Krishna declares: "Purusottama month has all the power I have to bless its observer. One who follows Purusottama vrata will destroy all his past sinful reactions. Without performing Purusottama vrata, one cannot perform pure devotional service. The value of Purusottama month is far more valuable than all other types of austerities and religious activities mentioned in the Vedas. Anyone who observes Purusottama vrata will return to my abode, Goloka, at the end of his life". 

2. Durvasa Muni pronounces: "Just by bathing in a holy river during Purusottama month, one becomes sinless. The glory of all other months is not equal to one-sixteenth of the glory of the Purusottama month. By bathing in a holy place, giving charity and chanting the Holy Name of Krishna during Purusottama month, all miseries are destroyed, one attains all kinds of perfection and fulfills all his desires". 

3. Valmiki Muni remarks: "By observing Purusottama vrata, one attains more benefit than performing one hundred horse sacrifices. All holy places live within the body of a Purusottama month vrati. Anyone who faithfully performs Purusottama vrata will go to Goloka Vrndavana". 

4. Narada Muni vocalizes: "Purusottama month is the best of all months, vratas and austerities. Just by faithfully hearing the glories of Purusottama month, one attains Krishna-bhakti and immediately nullifies his sinful reactions. One who performs Purusottama vrata properly will attain unlimited sukrti and go to the spiritual world". 

5. Naimisaranya Sages unitedly speak: "Merciful Purusottama month acts like a desire tree to fulfill a devotee's desire". 

The Significance/ Benefits of Purushottam Month

Purusottama month is worshiped all over the universe by devotees, sages, demigods and even Laksmi Devi Herself. If one sincerely worships The Lordships  Radha and Krishna in Purusottama month, he attains everything, all pious credits and virtues. Purusottama month is the best month for all - for spiritual advancement because  in this highly auspicious month Lord Krishna overlooks all the aparadhas. Devotional practice during the month is said to bring to offenders the chance to be forgiven. One who observes Purusottama vrata, burns up the reactions of all his bad karmas and attains the direct service of Srimati Radha and Krishna.