Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 7:51pm
The appearance of Lord Ramachandra(Ramnavami)
The appearance of Lord Ramachandra from the book (Valmiki) "Ramayana".The great tract of land known as Kosala extended along the banks of the Sarayu River. This land was verdant, prosperous and rich in grain. Within this vast territory was the renowned city of Ayodhya, built by the desire of Vaivasvata Manu, the ruler of mankind. This glorious city was ninety-six miles long and twenty-four miles wide. It was well laid out, and its beautiful, straight roads were perfumed with scented water sprayed from the trunks of intoxicated elephants. Every day, the damsels of the celestial planets hovered above it in their beautiful airplanes and showered it with flowers.The arched gateways of Ayodhya were made of marble, and the gates were wrought with gold and silver and embedded with precious jewels. Cannons and catapults, capable of repulsing any enemy, protected the city walls. The marketplaces were well planned, and seven-story houses symmetrically lined the streets. Adorned with multi-storied palaces and surrounded with exquisite gardens, Ayodhya resounded with the vibrations of musical instruments, rivaling Amaravati, the abode of the heavenly king, Indra. Throughout the city, bards and singers recited the glories of the SupremePersonality of Godhead, and dancers acted out the Lord's pastimes for everyone's benefit.Within Ayodhya were many beautiful gardens abounding with flowers and shaded by fruit trees. Blue, red, and golden lotuses filled the ponds, and fountains shot water high into the air. Gentle breezes carried the aromatic spray from the fountains, cooling the citizens by their touch, and making even a hot summer day seem like spring. The sounds of cranes and peacocks could be heard everywhere. The water flowing through Ayodhya's streams and rivulets tasted as sweet as sugarcane sap, and it was used not only for drinking but for irrigating numerous mango orchards. Many houses andpalaces, perfectly designed, were built of precious stones and decorated with flags and festoons. Their beauty rivaled the palaces of Vaikuntha. Thousands of warriors protected the great city: skilled archers, well versed in the use of weapons, and chariot fighters who were able to fight with thousands of men at a time.The streets leading into Ayodhya were always filled with travelers. Kings and princes from all parts of the world came to render their annual tribute and pay respects to the King of Ayodhya. Traders from near and far flockedto the markets to barter.Brahmana priests could often be seen pouring ghee into sacrificial fires and chanting Vedic hymns, proclaiming the glories of Lord Vishnu. Having mastered their senses and devoted themselves to truth, these brahmanas were blessedwith all good qualities.Maharaja Dasaratha was the emperor of the entire world and was a great rajarsi, considered almost on the level of a maharsi He was a formidable warrior, capable of fighting alone with an unlimited number of opponents. Because he and the citizens were completely pious, Ayodhya was the picture of perfect Vedic civilization. Every imaginable opulence was exhibited in perfection, and material miseries, coming from the results of sinful life, were practically nonexistent. In Ayodhya, the four social orders, namely the brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras, participated cooperatively for thepeace and prosperity of the kingdom. No one cheated and no one was miserly. Arrogance, atheism, and harsh behavior and speech were conspicuous by their absence.Even though Maharaja Dasaratha possessed such fantastic opulence and prestige, he remained unhappy. Try as he may, the King was unable to beget a son to continue his dynasty. Finally, after much deliberation, King Dasaratha decided to perform a horse sacrifice for the purpose of getting a son. With this in mind he sent his chief minister, Sumantra, to call for his family priests.When the brahmanas, headed by Vasistha and Vamadeva, assembled, Maharaja Dasaratha addressed them, saying, ''O best among the twice born, for many years I have ardently desired to beget a son. However, all my efforts have been in vain. Because I am without an heir, I can no longer feign happiness. Indeed, my days seem wasted and are filled with grief. Thus, after much careful consideration, and with your kind permission, I have decided to perform a horse sacrifice. Because you are fully knowledgeable in scripture, I am confident that you will be able to lead me on the proper path.''The priests unanimously approved of Maharaja Dasaratha's idea to perform the horse sacrifice, and thereafter, the king ordered his ministers to make all necessary arrangements without delay. Sumantra then took Maharaja Dasarathaaside to narrate the following story (about Rsyasrnga)...Maharaja Dasaratha was very pleased to hear this story from Sumantra. Then, without delay, he went with his retinue to the kingdom of Anga. There, he was received by Maharaja Romapada with great respect, and at that time the king of Anga informed Rsyasrnga that Dasaratha was his real father-in-law. After enjoying Romapada's hospitality for about one week, Maharaja Dasaratha addressed his friend as follows: ''For a long time I have been morose on account of not having a son to perpetuate my illustrious dynasty. Now, I beg you to allow Rsyasrnga to come to Ayodhya to perform a horse sacrifice on my behalf.''Romapada happily agreed, and Maharaja Dasaratha soon returned to his capital with Rsyasrnga and Santa. Then, when spring arrived, Maharaja Dasaratha humbly approached Rsyasrnga, begging him for instructions regarding the performance of the horse sacrifice. Thus, preparations for the sacrifice commenced and a site was selected on the northern bank of the River Sarayu. The system was for an emperor to send a challenge horse all over the worldto establish his supremacy over subordinate kings. The horse would be accompanied by soldiers of the emperor, and upon its arrival in a kingdom, the local king would either have to offer tribute to the emperor's representatives, or fight to capture the horse. Any ruling prince or king was at liberty either to express his tacit willingness to obey the emperor,or to accept the challenge and thus disobey the supremacy of the particular emperor. One who accepted the challenge had to fight with the emperor's men and establish his own supremacy by victory. The defeated challenger wouldhave to sacrifice his life, making place for another king or ruler. Only when the horse returned after touring the world, with no more challengers left, could a horse sacrifice begin.Understanding that King Janaka would be the future father-in-law of his sons, Maharaja Dasaratha sent him the first invitation. Likewise, other subordinate kings were requested to attend the sacrifice. After one full year, the challenge horse returned to Ayodhya, having wandered over the earth under the protection of 400 princes. Only then could the sacrifice begin.After the preliminary rites had been performed Maharaja Dasaratha's eldest queen, Kausalya, circumambulated the challenge horse, which was tied to one of the sacrificial stakes. Then, with three strokes of a sword, she severedthe horse's head, as prescribed by scriptural injunction.Thereafter, Rsyasrnga offered the fat of the dead horse into the sacrificial fire. Maharaja Dasaratha was directed to inhale the fumes, to free him from all sins. Then, the assisting priests offered the limbs of the horse into the sacrificial fire, bringing the three day sacrifice to an end. Maharaja Dasaratha then gave away the four directions of the earth in charity to the four chief priests. The brahmanas returned the gifts, however, saying, ''O king, we are devoted to Vedic study and the performance of austerities, and have no interest in ruling over a kingdom. Therefore, please give us other gifts like cows and gold.''Rsyasrnga then approached Maharaja Dasaratha, saying, ''My dear king, you will surely receive four glorious sons. However, I propose that a separate sacrifice, known as Putresti, be performed for that purpose.''Maharaja Dasaratha readily assented, soon the sacrifice was begun. Meanwhile, in the higher planets, the chief demigods approached Lord Brahma and explained, ''O grandsire, because of your benedictions, Ravana has become so powerful that he is harassing everyone at will. Even we cannot subdue the wicked Raksasa. Therefore, we request you to personally devise the means for his destruction.''Lord Brahma considered the situation and then replied, ''At the time of asking for benedictions, Ravana did not bother to ask for immunity from death at the hands of human beings, for he considered them to be too insignificant.''While Brahma was thinking how Ravana could be killed, Lord Vishnu suddenly appeared, riding on His carrier, Garuda. As effulgent as many suns, Lord Vishnu appeared in His four-armed form, dressed in bright saffron garments and carrying His disc, conch, club and lotus flower.The demigods worshipped the Supreme Lord with great reverence and then requested, ''O master of the universe, please come to our rescue by dividing Yourself into four, becoming the sons of Maharaja Dasaratha for the purpose of killing Ravana.''Lord Vishnu replied, ''Rest assured, there is no longer any need to be afraid. I will soon incarnate to rule over the earth for 11,000 years after vanquishing your enemy, the king of the Raksasas.'' After saying this, Lord Vishnu disappeared as the demigods looked on with wonder. Meanwhile, from the sacrificial fire of Maharaja Dasaratha, there appeared an exceptional being of dark complexion with all auspicious bodily features. This personality appeared to be unlimitedly powerful. He was decorated with transcendental ornaments, and in his hand he carried a large golden pot of sweet rice. That divine person then told Maharaja Dasaratha, ''I am a messenger of Lord Vishnu.''With folded hands, the king replied, ''O Vishnuduta, please order me to perform whatever service I can render.''The servant of Lord Vishnu said, ''This pot of sweet rice is the reward for your two sacrificial performances. Give portions to your three wives to eat. Through them you shall beget four sons who will forever perpetuate your fame.''Maharaja Dasaratha happily accepted the sweet rice and circumambulated the Vishnuduta. After Lord Vishnu's messenger disappeared from view, Maharaja Dasaratha quickly gave portions of the sweet rice to his wives, for he was eager to have sons.Maharaja Dasaratha gave Kausalya one half of the sweet rice, Sumitra one fourth, and Kaikeyi one eighth. Then after some deliberation, he gave the remaining eighth to Sumitra. All three wives were overjoyed, for they were confident that they would soon become mothers.The three Queens eagerly ate their shares and soon thereafter, each felt the presence of divine offspring within their wombs. When Maharaja Dasaratha understood that his wives were pregnant, he too became very satisfied. Meanwhile, Lord Brahma ordered the demigods as follows: ''Beget partial manifestations of yourselves to assist Lord Vishnu in His forthcoming incarnation. The children which you produce in the form of monkeys (by uniting with Apsaras, she-monkeys, and female Yaksas, Nagas, Vidyadharas and other celestial beings), must be capable of assuming any form at will andmust possess all other mystic powers. In addition, they must be very intelligent, highly skilled in the use of weapons, having prowess almost equal to Lord Vishnu, and possess ethereal bodies.''After receiving the order of Lord Brahma, Indra begot Vali, Surya begot Sugriva, Brhaspati begot Tara, Kuvera begot Gandhamada, Visvakarma begot Nala, Varuna begot Susena, and Vayu begot Hanumana. Besides these principal monkeys, many thousands of others took birth to assist Lord Vishnu in His mission. All of them were gigantic like mountains and were very eager to fight with Ravana. Like the demigods who begot them, these monkeys were bornjust after conception. They were so powerful that they could agitate the ocean with their impetuous energy.There were three classes of these created beings: bears, monkeys, and monkeys that had long tails like cows. Because there were more than ten million of these monkeys and bears, the earth soon became overrun with them as they wandered throughout the forests, eating wild fruits and various roots.After the completion of the Putrsti sacrifice, the demigods (who personally came to accept their offerings) and the priests, Rsyasrnga and Santa, departed for their respective residences. Then, after a pregnancy of twelve months, on the ninth day of the waxing (bright) fortnight in the month of Caitra, Kausalya gave birth to a son. This divine child had reddish eyes and lips, long arms, and was decorated with all auspicious markings. The son of Kausalya represented one-half of the potency of Lord Vishnu.Soon thereafter, a son representing one-fourth of the prowess of Lord Vishnu was born of Kaikeyi, Maharaja Dasaratha's youngest queen. Then, two days after the appearance of Kausalya's son, Sumitra gave birth to twins, each representing one-sixth of the potency of Lord Vishnu. All four of the newborn children highly resembled one another and were exceedingly effulgent and pleasing to behold. Indeed, upon the appearance of Maharaja Dasaratha's four sons, the demigods showered flowers from heaven, while the Gandharvas sang and played musical instruments as the Apsaras danced. In Ayodhya there was a great festival, as musicians, dancers and actors crowded the streets, with all the citizens participating in the merrymaking.SrI RAma ashTottara satanAmAvaLiasya srI rAmacandranAmAshTottara satamantrasya brahmA rshih |anushtup chandah | jAnakI vallabhah srI rAmacandro devatA | om bIjam |namah saktih | srI rAmacandrah kIlakam | shri rAmacandraprItyarthejape viniyogah |om namo bhagavate rAjAdhirAjAya paramAtmane hrdayAya namah|om namo bhagavate vidhyAdhirAjAya hayagrIvAya sirase svAhA |om namo bhagavate jAnakI vallabhAya namah sikhAyai vashatt |om namo bhagavate raghunandAyAmitatejase kavacAya hum |om namo bhagavate kshIrAbdhi madhyasthAya nArAyaNAya netratrayAya voushaT |om namo bhagavate satprakAsAya rAmAya astrAya phaT |iti shadanganyAsah |evam angulinyAsah kAryah |atha dhyAnammandArakrti puNya dhAma vilasad vakshasthalam komalamsAntam kantamahendra nIla rucirAbhAsam sahasrAnAmamvande'ham raghunandanam surapatim kodaNda dIkshAgurumrAmam sarva jagat susevita padam sItA manovallabham1. sahasrasIrshNe vai tubhyam sahasrAkshAya te namah |namah sahasrahastAya sahasra caraNAya ca ||[ 1. sahasrasIrshNe namah 2. sahasrAkshAya namah3. sahasrahastAya namah 4. sahasra caraNAya namah ]2. namo jImUtavarNAya namaste visvatomukha |acyutAya namastubhyam namaste seshasAyine ||[ 5. jImUtavarNAya namah 6. visvatomukhAya namah7. acyutAya namah 8. seshasAyine namah ]3. namo hiraNyagarbhAya pancabhUtAtmane namah |namo mUlaprakrtaye devAnAm hitakAriNe ||[ 9. hiraNyagarbhAya namah 10. pancabhUtAtmane namah11. mUlaprakrtaye namah 12. devAnAm hitakAriNe namah ]4. namaste sarvalokesa sarva duhkha nishUdana |sankha cakra gadA padma jatAmukuta dhAriNe ||[ 13. sarvalokesAya namah 14. sarva duhkha nishUdanAya namah15. sankha cakra gadA padma jatAmukuta dhAriNe namah ]5. namo garbhAya tatvAya jyotishAm jyotishe namah |om namo vAsudevAya namo dasarathAtmaja ||[ 16. garbhAya namah 17. tatvAya namah 18. jyotishAm jyotishe namah19. vAsudevAya namah 20. dasarathAtmajAya namah ]6. namo namaste rAjendra sarva sampat pradAya ca |namah kAruNya rUpAya kaikeyIpriyakAriNe ||[ 21. rAjendrAya namah 22. sarva sampat pradAya namah23. kAruNya rUpAya namah 24. kaikeyIpriyakAriNe namah ]7. namo dAntAya sAntAya visvAmitra priyAya te |yajnesAya namastubhyam namaste kratupAlaka ||[ 25. dAntAya namah 26. sAntAya namah 27. visvAmitra priyAya namah28. yajnesAya namah 29. kratupAlakAya namah ]8. namo namah kesavAya namo nAthAya sArngiNe |namaste rAmacandrAya namo nArAyaNAya ca ||[ 30. kesavAya namah 31. nAthAya namah 32. sArngiNe namah33. rAmacandrAya namah 34. nArAyaNAya namah ]9. namaste rAmacandrAya mAdhavAya namo namah |govindAya namastubhyam namaste paramAtmane ||[ 35. rAmacandrAya namah 36. mAdhavAya namah37. govindAya namah 38. paramAtmane namah ]10. namaste vishNurUpAya raghunAthAya te namah |namaste anAthanAthAya namaste madhusUdana ||[ 39. vishNurUpAya namah 40. raghunAthAya namah41. anAthanAthAya namah 42. madhusUdanAya namah ]11. trivikrama namastestu sItAyAh pataye namah |vAmanAya namastubhyam namaste rAghavAya ca ||[ 43. trivikramAya namah 44. sItAyAh pataye namah45. vAmanAya namah 46. rAghavAya namah ]12. namo namah srIdharAya janakIvallabhAya ca |namastestu hrshIkesa kandarpAya namo namah ||[ 47. srIdharAya namah 48. janakIvallabhAya namah49. hrshIkesAya namah 50. kandarpAya namah ]13. namaste padmanAbhAya kausalyAharshakAriNe |namo rajIvanayana namaste lakshmaNAgraja ||[ 51. padmanAbhAya namah 52. kausalyAharshakAriNe namah53. rajIvanayanAya namah 54. lakshmaNAgrajaya namah ]14. namo namaste kAkutstha namo dAmodarAya ca |vibhIshaNa paritrAtarnamah sankarshaNAya ca ||[ 55. kAkutsthaya namah 56. dAmodarAya namah57. vibhIshaNa paritrAtre namah 58. sankarshaNAya namah ]15. vAsudeva namastestu namaste sankarapriya |pradyumnAya namastubhyam aniruddhAya te namah ||[ 59. vAsudevaya namah 60. sankarapriyAya namah61. pradyumnAya namah 62. aniruddhAya namah]16. sadasat bhaktirUpAya namaste purushottama |adhokshaja namastestu saptatAla harAya ca ||[ 63. sadasat bhaktirUpAya namah 64. purushottamAya namah65. adhokshajAya namah 66. saptatAla harAya namah ]17. kharadUshaNa samhartre srI nrsimhAya te namah |acyutAya namastubhyam namaste setubandhaka ||[ 67. kharadUshaNa samhartre namah 68. srInrsimhAya namah69. acyutAya namah 70. setubandhakAya namah ]18. janArdana namastestu namo hanumadAsraya |upendra candravandyAya mArIca-mathanAya ca ||[ 71. janArdanAya namah 72. hanumadAsrayAya namah73. upendra candravandyAya namah 74. mArIca-mathanAya namah ]19. namo vAli-praharaNa namah sugrIva-rAjyada |jAmadagnya mahAdarpa HarAya haraye namah ||[ 75. vAli-praharaNAya namah 76. sugrIva-rAjyadAya namah77. jAmadagnya mahAdarpa harAya namah 78. haraye namah ]20. namo namaste krshNAya namaste bharatAgraja |namaste pitr-bhaktAya namah satrughna pUrvaja ||[ 79. krshNAya namah 80. bharatAgrajAya namah81. pitr-bhaktAya namah 82. satrughna pUrvajAya namah ]21. ayodhyAdhipate tubhyam namah satrughna sevita |namo nityAya satyAya buddhyAdi-jnAnarUpiNe ||[ 83. ayodhyAdhipataye namah 84. satrughna sevitAya namah85. nityAya namah 86. satyAya namah 87. buddhyAdi-jnAnarUpiNe namah ]22. advaita brahma-rUpAya jnAna-gamyAya te namah |namah pUrNAya ramyAya mAdhavAya cidAtmane ||[ 88. advaita brahma-rUpAya namah 89. jnAna-gamyAya namah90. pUrNAya namah 91. ramyAya namah92. mAdhavAya namah 93. cidAtmane namah ]23. ayodhyesAya sreshThaya cin-mAtrAya parAtmane |namo'halyoddhAraNAya namaste cApa bhanjine ||[ 94. ayodhyesAya namah 95. sreshThaya namah96. cin-mAtrAya namah 97. parAtmane namah98. ahalyoddhAraNAya namah 99. cApa bhanjine namah ]24. sItArAmAya sevyAya stutyAya parameshThine |namaste bANa-hastAya namah kodaNda-dhAriNe ||[100. sItArAmAya namah 101. sevyAya namah102. stutyAya namah 103. parameshThine namah104. bANa-hastAya namah 105. kodaNda-dhAriNe namah ]25. namah kabhanda-hantre ca vAli-hantre namos'tu te |namastestu dasagrIva prANa samhAra kAriNe ||[ 106. kabhanda-hantre namah 107. vAli-hantre namah108. dasagrIva prANa samhAra kAriNe namah ]Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu delightfully ordered Shri Murari Gupta (none other than Hanuman) to recite some poems composed by Shri Gupta himself. Shri Murari Gupta began to recite Ramastaka and the Lord, who was greatly pleased, atonce regarded himself as Ramacandra. With a sweet smile Prabhu wrote the name "Ramadasa" on the forehead of Murari Gupta.By the order of Mahaprabhu, Murarigupta recited his own composition "Shri Ramastaka".(1) "I adore the Supreme Lord Ramacandra who is worshipped by the residents of the three worlds; Whose face is as beautiful as a spotless moon, Whose ears are adorned with beautiful kundalas, shining more brilliantly than the stars named Brhaspati and Sukra; and whose crown is bedecked with the gleaming Kiritamani jewel which glows like the shining rays of the sun."(2) "I worship Shri Ramacandra, the only guru of the three worlds, Whose eyes are as beautiful as blossoming lotus', Whose lips are like beautifully red bimba fruit. His nose is charming and His smile defeats the soft rays of the moon."(3) "I worship the only guru of the three worlds, Shri Ramacandra, whose neck is as charming as a conch, and Whose complexion is like that of a blue lotus. His effulgent necklaces of pearl and gold are likened to the sky, where lightening flashes next to white swan-colored clouds."(4) "I praise Shri Ramacandra, by whose side is seated the bright golden complexioned Sita who holds a lotus flower in Her raised hand. That lotus clasped by Her five beautiful fingers is possessed of morethan five hundred leaves."(5) "I sing the glories of Shri Ramacandra, the only guru throughout the three worlds, in front of whom stands the great archer Shri Laksmana, formerly known as Shesha (or Great Spirit), whose beautiful golden complexion is enhanced by numerous ornaments and who is known as a devout servant of his elder brother."(6) "I glorify Shri Raghava, the killer of the demons Ravana, Khara, Trisira and Kavandha. He is the destroyer of the corruptor's of Shri Dandakaranya: the killer of Vali: and the friend of Sugriva."(7) "I worship the only guru of the three worlds, Shri Rama, who has taken the hand of Sita after breaking the Haradhanu. While one his way from Mithila to Ayodhya, Shri Ramacandra, for the pleasure of his father, destroyed the pride of Parasaurama. "Being pleased to hear the glories of Shri Raghunandana Rajasimha, the Supreme Lord Gaurasundara, placed his feet on the head of Shri Murari Gupta and wrote on his forehead, "It is My desire that henceforward you shall be known as Ramadasa." Murari Gupta was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. In the morning Prabhu and all the devotees returned to their own houses. Who can understand the hidden meaning and true intentions behind the Lord's transcendental activities.-------------------------Shrila Prabhupada wants us to fast until evening and have light ekadashi stylepreparations to break the fast with).710407LE.BOM LecturesSo this process should be adopted, how to become sukrtina. Sukrti means yajna-dana-tapa-kriya. One must perform sacrifices as prescribed in the sastras, and they must give in charity their hard-earned money for Krishna's cause. That is called dana. Yajna, dana, and tapasya. Tapasya. Just like tomorrow is Shri Rama-navami. The tapasya will be that all the devotees will observe fasting from morning till evening. This is called tapasya. Just like Ekadashi day--there is no eating sumptuously. Simply you take little fruits and flowers. Try to avoid that also. You don't take even water. That isreally ekadashi. But because we cannot do it--in the Kali-yuga the time is different--therefore we are allowed to take little fruit and milk, which is called anukalpa. These are different methods of tapasya. And yajna. This yajna, sankirtanaih prayair yajnaih, yajanti hi su-medhasah. In this age you cannot perform that big asvamedha yajna, gomedha yajna, rajasuya yajna, so many other yajnas. It is not possible. First of all, you have no means to perform such yajnas, hundreds and hundreds of tons ghee required for putting into the sacrificial fire. You have not even a drop of your ghee. So forget all those yajnas. In this age, yajnaih sankirtanaih prayaih.8-03-26.Letter: MukundaPlease accept my blessings. I am sorry I am delayed to reply your letter dated March 14, 1968, which I received over a week ago. I am very glad that you are repentant even for some action which is not sanctioned by me. This attitude is very nice and improves one in progressing on the path of devotional service. The Rakhi Bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of Prasad isn't approved by our Vaishnava rituals. Of course, such ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a socio-religious convention. But in our Vaishnava community there is no such observance. Now,forget the incidence, and in future don't be misled by some unauthorized person. Our next ceremony is Lord Ramacandra's Birthday, on the 7th of April. It should be observed in the same way as Lord Chaitanya's AppearanceDay, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept Prasadam, and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous Kirtana, of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama. That will make all our functions successful.68-03-28.Letter: MahapurusaSo far the Advent Day of Lord Rama Candra, it should be celebrated as Lord Chaitanya's Birthday was done. Fasting up to evening, and then take prasadam, and chant Hare Krishna whole day, and be engaged in reading and chanting off and on, chant for some time, then read for some time, then again have Kirtana and so on, throughout the day. If you have not got a Ramayana, then you can read Bhagavad-gita or Shrimad-Bhagavatam, that is all right.770326r2.bom ConversationsPrabhupada: Rama-navami is upavasa up till the... Go to observe fasting up to the evening.Tamala Krishna: So moon.Prabhupada: Sunset.
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