Blog

The Glories of Purushottama Month (from the Padma Purana)

Once upon a time, thousands of sages came together in the holy place called Naimisaranya to perform sacrifice. To their very good fortune the great sage Suta Goswami, who had been traveling to different pilgrimage sites, arrived there along with his disciples. The sages present were very enlivened to see him. They all stood up immediately to pay their respects to the great sage, offered him a very nice Vyasasana, and requested him with folded hands to sit down on it.'

The sages of Naimisaranya said to Suta Goswami with folded hands, "0 Sutaji! All of us are humbly requesting you to please tell us something about the wonderful activities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are many thousands of such narrations but we want to listen to the most perfect one, by following which we can all be delivered from this material ocean and return back to Godhead.

Hearing the request made by these sages, headed by Saunaka Rsi, Suta Goswami began to speak, "0 sages, please to listen me. I first went to Puskara Tirtha, then after visiting thousands of other holy places, I reached Hastinapura. There, on the bank of the Ganges, I saw thousands of sages sitting together with Pariksit Maharaja. Just then the great sage Sukadeva Goswami appeared, and all the sages present paid him proper respect by rising from their seats with folded hands. All the sages unanimously offered the lotus Vyasasana to Sukadeva Goswami, which was meant for the speaker who would speak Krishna katha to Pariksit Maharaja Suta Goswami said, "0 sages, 1 have just come from Hastinapura where I heard the whole Srimad Bhagavatam from the lotus mouth of Sukadeva Goswami, So now 1 will tell you about the all-attractive activities and pastimes of the Lord.

Once, long ago, Sri Narada Muni reached. Badrika Ashram, the residence of Lord Narayana Rsi The river Alakananda was flowing down from His lotus feet Narada paid his obeisances to Narayana and prayed, "Oh Lord of the demigods. Oh ocean of mercy! Oh master of creation. You are all truthful, the essence of all truths. And so I am paying my obeisances unto You. "Oh Lord! In this material world all living entities are busily engaged in sense gratification. They have all forgotten the ultimate goal of life. Therefore please explain something which will be helpful both for householders and sages in the renounced order like me, something that will help us attain self realization and return back to Godhead "

Hearing the sweet words of Narada, Lord Narayana smiled. He said, "0 Narada, please listen to narrations about the supremely pious pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, for they will diminish all sinful reaction. 0 Narada, you already know of all the activities of the Supreme Lord, but for the benefit of others, you are asking Me again. So now I will tell you about the glories of the sacred Purusottama month, which is fully potent to grant not only all material happiness but also qualify one to return back to Godhead at the end of life.

Naradji enquired, "0 Lord, I have heard the glories of all months including Kartika, Chaitra etc, but which month is this Purusottama month? 0 ocean of mercy, please tell me all about this sacred month. What is the way to glorify this month, what should I do in this month, how should I take bath, give in charity, ect. Oh What should I chant. Who should 1 worship, should I observe tasting in this month" Please tell me everything in detail Suta Goswami said, "0 sages, after hearing all these questions from Narada, Lord Narayana began to speak from His moon-like lotus mouth. "0 Narada, I am going to tell you something which was previously explained by Lord Sri Krishna to Maharaja Yudhisthira. Once Dharmaraja Yudhisthira lost everything - his empire, his palace and even his chaste wife Draupadi - to Duryodhana in a gambling match. At that time Draupadi was insulted by Dusasana in front of the whole royal assembly. But when Dusasana had tried to strip Draupadi naked, she was saved from such a dangerous situation by Lord Sri Krishna. After this incident, Yudhisthira Maharaja along with his brothers and wife left his kingdom and lived in Kamayaka forest Once Sri Krishna, son of Devaki, visited the Pandavas in that forest. All the Pandavas, including Draupadi, were very happy to see their Lord, and they forgot their painful forest life immediately. They felt enriched with a new life just by taking Krnsa's darshan. They paid their obeisances at their Lord's lotus feet Seeing the miserable living condition of the Pandavas, Lord Sri Krishna became very upset. and at the same time He became very angry towards Dhuryodhana. It appeared as if the Lord was going to destroy the whole universe, and so the Pandavas became fearful and all began to pray to the Lord in a humble mood. Listening to the humble prayers of Arjuna, the Lord composed Himself and said, "Oh Arjuna, being very pleased with all of you [ Pandavas], and being controlled by your devotion and friendship towards Me, I will now tell you about the wonderful history of Purusottama month.

Oh Arjuna! Once upon a time, by the arrangement of providence an extra month came to this world Every one took this month to be most inauspicious, and even saw it as a stool-like month. Just as one should not touch stool, so this month was also seen as untouchable. It was constantly unprotected and blasphemed, and rejected by everyone as an improper time for any religious and auspicious activities.

Being so rejected by all human beings, and constantly hearing only bad words and blasphemy, this extra month became very sad. She came to Vaikuntha to explain her sorrowful situation to the Lord. Seeing Lord Visnu on His simhasana, she fell down at His lotus feet in a mood of sorrow and grief. Tears were falling profusely from her eyes. She started praying to the Lord, "Oh ocean of mercy! I have come to You helpless. I have been rejected and blasphemed by all peoples of the world. Please protect me, please show me Your mercy. Please don't be indifferent towards me." Saying these words, the extra month continued crying in front of Lord Visnu and sat down before Him in a dejected mood. Seeing the humble and pitiable position of the extra month. Lord Visnu became very merciful towards her. He told her, "Do not lament, I shall give you protection from all of your miseries Please stop crying. It is not proper to lament after taking shelter at My lotus feet."

Being so consoled by the Lord, the extra month began speaking in openhearted language. "Oh Lord, You know all my painful condition No one is in a more miserable situation in these three worlds than I First of all, all other months, years, days, nights, directions etc. are being protected by You, and so they are always moving fearlessly in their unique charming moods. But I [an extra month] don't have any name, nor any protector, nor a husband to give me shelter. All the demigods and human beings have rejected me for any auspicious activities. For this reason. Oh Lord, I want to die immediately." Oh Narada, this extra month repeatedly said, " I want to die! 1 want to die! I want to die!" Then she fainted at the feet of the Lord.

Being requested by Lord Visnu, Garuda started fanning the extra month. And after sometime she got up and began to speak again, "Oh Lord of the universe I am in need of Your shelter, so please protect me."
Lord Visnu told the extra month, "Oh child, please don't lament, all of your miserable conditions will be finished very soon. Get up and come with Me to Goloka Vrndavana, which is even unattainable to great yogis. Goloka is the abode of Lord Sri Krishna. Here Lord Sri Krishna is in His two-handed form, surrounded by gopis and enjoying His eternal pastimes The Supreme Sri Krishna of Goloka will deliver you from all your miseries, please come with Me." Speaking in this way. Lord Visnu took Malamasa (the extra month) to Goloka by catching her by the hand.

From a distant place Lord Visnu and the extra month observed the effulgence of Goloka. This dazzling effulgence automatically forced Malamasa to close her eyes. Therefore, keeping the extra month behind Him, Lord Visnu proceeded farther until He reached the main gate. There the doorkeeper paid his respects to Him. Having reached the Supreme Abode, Lord Visnu met Lord Sri Krishna who was surrounded by many devoted gopis. Lord Visnu, who is the husband of Ramadevi, paid His obeisances to Lord Sri Krishna. Then He made the extra month also offer her obeisances at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, even though she was crying loudly. Immediately Sri Krishna asked, "Why is she crying? She is in Goloka Vrndavana, why is she crying?" Hearing these words from Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Visnu got up from His seat and started explaining the whole miserable condition of the extra month. He begged Him to please protect this unprotected month. "There is no one except You, Lord Krishna, who can save this extra month from her hellish condition and give her full protection." Having said these words. Lord Visnu remained standing in front of Lord Krishna with folded hands.

Then Suta Goswami continued to speak, "Oh sages! Lord Visnu took his seat, and Lord Krishna spoke very confidential words to him. Listen carefully, for 1 am now going to share those words with all of you...
Then Lord Purusottama Sri Krishna said, "Oh Visnu, you have done a very great deed by bringing this extra month to Me You will become even more famous for performing this act Because You have accepted this Malamasa, 1 will also accept her. I shall make this poor extra month just like Me in quality, fame, opulence, realization, success, and in giving benediction to devotees. This month will become equally potent to Me. I am bestowing all of My divine qualities in this abused month. Named after Me, this month will be famous as Purusottama month in this world.

"Oh Janardana, now that she has imbued My qualities I Myself will become the husband and protector of this Purusottama month. And being equal to Me, this month will be the master of all other months Now this month will become worshipable by one and all. Everyone should pay their obeisances to her, everyone should worship her. This month is equally as powerful as Me to give any type of benediction to its observer. I am making this month desire- free, unlike other months, which are full of some desire or another. The worshiper of this month will be able to burn all his past sinful reactions to ashes, and after enjoying a blissful life in the material realm he will return back lo Godhead.

"Oh Garudadhwaja," Lord Sri Krishna continued, "My Goloka is unattainable to the performers of austerities, mahatmas engaged in pious activities, to people who maintain celibacy, or to those who fast their whole life's duration. But just by observing Purusottama month and becoming a devotee one can easily cross over this material ocean and return back to Godhead. Observance of this Purusottama month is the best of all austerities. Just as a farmer produces a rich harvest by planting seeds in nicely cultivated land, so an intelligent man who practices devotional service towards the Supreme Lord in this Purusottama month will enjoy a blissful life while in this world and after leaving his body he will return back to Godhead "An unfortunate ignorant man who does not perform any japa, does not give any charity, does not pay respect to Lord Sri Krishna and His devotees, does not behave properly to brahmanas, makes enmity with others and who blasphemes the Purusottama month will go to hell for an unlimited period." Lord Sri Krishna continued, "How can a person make his life successful unless he performs devotional service in this Purusottama month? A person who is fully engaged in sense gratification and does not give any special importance to this sacred month becomes the best candidate for hell. All human beings should perform some devotional service in this Purusottama month by:
1 Taking a bath in a holy river
2. Worshiping Me, Sri Krishna, by chanting My holy name
3 Giving in charity

A fortunate person who follows My instructions and observes this Purusottama month properly, and in a faithful way worships Me will attain fame, opulence and a good son in this very life And after enjoying a happy life, he will return back to Goloka Dhama. By following My instructions, everyone should worship this sacred month. 1 have made it the best among all other months Oh husband of Rama devi (Visnu), give up all kinds of mental speculation about (his extra month Just take this Purusottama month with you to your Vaikuntha abode After narrating this brief history of the Purusottama month. Lord Sri Krishna glanced very mercifully upon Yudhisthira and Draupadi, and then began speaking to Arjuna "Oh lion among man, can you now understand the reason why you Pandavas are suffering? You did not acknowledge or honor the presence of Purusottama month, which has just recently finished. That month which is most dear to Vrndavana Chandra has passed, but you Pandavas were in the forest and did not worship Purusottama month. So now you are suffering. You have been following the ritualistic principles given to you by Vyasadeva, but unless you worship Purusottama month you cannot perform pure devotional service to Me."

Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth Draupadi was the daughter of a great brahmana sage called Medhavi. Her mother died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father. Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her father was not interested in arranging her marriage Seeing her other girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a very miserable way In the mean time, her father passed away from this material world while uttering the sacred name of Hari.

" This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage Durvasa Muni appeared in her asrama shortly after her father's death. Seeing the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage When he expressed his pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him. Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything - past, present and future. 1 have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.

Durvasa Rishi began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most auspicious Purusottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to Lord Sri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can become completely sinless. This Purusottama month is more glorious than all other months, including Kartik month The glories of all other months is not even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purusottama month the merit of a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a person who takes a bath in holy water of Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati [Jupiter] enters to Leo [lion] If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krsna during this month all your miseries will go away, you will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice - please do not forget to worship the forthcoming Purusottama month very sincerely " After speaking these words. Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the young brahmani did not believe in his words, rather she became angry and started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month, which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha. I cannot believe your words. You are trying to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of pious activity " Hearing these words of the brahmana girl Durvasa became very angry, his whole body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unfortunate one, 1 am not going to curse you because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless condition Being an ignorant child, you cannot understand the sastric conclusion. 1 am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purusottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of your offensive words" The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to perform his service for Lord Narayana.

Lord Sri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that place the brahmin girl [Draupadi in her previous birth] lost all of her opulences in a moment. Being an offender to Purusottama month, her body began to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided to worship Lord Siva who is known as Asutosa, one who is very easily pleased.

This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to please Lord Siva, the husband of Parvati She continued her austerities for nine thousand years. In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord Sankara then appeared before the brahmin girl because he was pleased by her worship and austerities. When Lord Siva appeared before the girl in his spiritual form, the girl immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord Siva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look beautiful. Seeing Lord Siva in front of her, she started to worship him in her mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.

Being very pleased with the girl. Lord Siva said, "Oh performer of austerity, all good fortune to you Now please ask some boon from me. 1 am pleased with you I shall grant whatever you want " Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Siva, the girl said, "Oh friend of the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me husband. Repeatedly speaking the same words - "give me a husband" - five times, the girl then fell silent Then Lord Siva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five times, and so you will get five husbands." Hearing Lord Siva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord, it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words " Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, ""That is impossible for me. What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your next life. Previously you offended Purusottama month by not following the kind advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is not difference between the body of Durvasa and mine All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the great saints like Narada, worship this Purusottama month in accord with the order of Lord Sri Krishna A devotee of Purusottama month achieves all good fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dhama, the abode of Lord Sri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purusottama .month, you will get five husbands in your next life." The girl became very remorseful, but Lord Siva immediately disappeared from the place After Lord Siva's departure, the young brahmani became very morose and fearful about her future life In this way, after few days, the girl left her body by the arrangement of providence.

Lord Sri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rsi has now became famous in the world as Draupadi - she is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed Purusottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Sri Krishna] and took My shelter Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purusottama month. A person who blasphemes Purusottama month and don't worship her, and doesn't worship Me, will never attain good fortune. This Purusottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purusottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you." Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way. Lord Sri Krishna then left that place for Dwaraka.
After a few days, when Purusottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhistira reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Sri Krishna All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They worshiped Purusottama Sri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month The merit they achieved by performing Purusottama vrata meant they regained their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to Godhead by the grace of Lord Sri Krishna.

Suta Goswami then told the sages of Naimisaranya, "Oh sages, now I am going to tell you another famous history in glorification of Purusottama month. It involves Maharaja Hadadhanwa of the famous sun dynasty. Long, long ago, there was a religious king named Citradhanwa, who was the ruler of Haihaya State He had a very qualified son named Hadadhanwa. Hadadhanwa was famous and loved all over the world because of his good qualities like faithfulness and strict adherence to religious principles At an early age Hadadhanwa became a learned scholar by pleasing his Guru. He studied all the Vedas, including all the Angas and Upanisads. After pleasing his Guru and paying him Daksina, Hadadhanwa returned back to his father's palace. His father Citradhanwa was very old, and so he decided to go to the forest and live a renounced life to please Sri Hari. Then Hadadhanwa became the king of Haihaya State. In due time Hadadhanwa achieved a beautiful daughter named Guna Sundari, he also had four other famous sons named Chitrabaka, Chitrabha, Maniman and Chitra-Kundala.

Once this Hadadhanwa began to think of all his material opulences. He could understand that by the influence of previous pious activities he had achieved an undisturbed kingdom, a chaste and beautiful queen, dutiful sons etc Thinking in this way, the next day the king went to ride on horse back along with his army to hunt. In this forest, a deer which was being attacked by the arrows of the king ran for shelter in another neighboring forest, And the king followed her.

After following the deer for a long way, the king became very tired and thirsty. He began to look for water, and, a little in the distance, he saw a beautiful pond full of clean sweet water. He rode there, got down from the horse's back and tied it to a nearby banyan tree. After quenching his thirst he took rest under the banyan tree. While the king was relaxing in this way, a beautiful parrot which was sitting on the tree started to speak to him. The parrot recited a verse again and again, which meant as follows:
*.
"Oh, deluded by your material opulences you are not even considering the real goal and achievement of human life How then can you cross the material ocean, the cycle of birth and death" After hearing these words from the mouth of the parrot again and again. King Hadadhanwa considered the advice very seriously. He started thinking that this parrot may be the great sage Sukadeva Goswami himself showing compassion towards him. In the meantime his army reached that place, and the parrot disappeared However, the king continued to ponder upon the words of the parrot When King Hadadhanwa was thinking seriously about these words, the great sage Valmiki came to his palace. The king immediately got up from his seat and paid his obeisances to him. Valmiki asked, "Oh king, why do you look so morose Please tell me every thing about your dilemma, 1 shall try my best to solve your problems." Feeling some consolation from the sage's words, King Hadadhanwa explained the verse spoken to him by the parrot in the forest. After listening to the king, the great sage Valmiki said, "Oh king, in your previous life you were born in a brahmin family, on the bank of the River Tambraparna in the state of Dravida. Your good name was Sudeva. You were a religious, truthful and self-satisfied brahmana. Your wife was Gautami, the daughter of Gautam Rsi. When you were in grhasta asrama you followed all the religious principles, but despite all these merits you had no child. One day you expressed you unhappiness to your wife. You told her, "Oh beloved one, our human birth is fruitless because we don't have a son who will deliver us from hell. Therefore I have decided to die immediately. Hearing your words, your wife advised you to worship Lord Jagannatha.

She said to you, "Oh dear husband, please don't speak like this. You are a Vaisnava, so you should be more patient in dealing with such situations If you desire a son, then just worship Lord Jagannatha and ask Him for a son as a benediction." Following her advice, you performed great austerities on the bank of the River Tambrapani for four thousand years. The demigods became fearful seeing your austerities, but seeing your strong faith and devotion. Lord Hari appeared before you riding His carrier Garuda. Seeing the Lord in His four-handed form, you became very happy and paid your full obeisances at His lotus feet. The great sage Valmiki continued, "Oh king, after offering his prayers Sudeva brahmana sat down on the floor in front of Lord Hari. Hearing his prayers. Lord Hari said, "Oh Sudeva, you have done great austerities to satisfy Me. And I am satisfied. Please ask some boons of Me - what ever you want. Sudeva brahmana said, "Oh Lord, if You are pleased upon me then please give me a qualified son." Hearing His brahmana's words, Lord Hari told him "Oh Sudeva, by reading your forehead I can understand that because of your prarabdha karma you are not supposed to have a son for the next seven births. Therefore please ask for some other boon. Hearing these words from Lord Hari the brahmana immediately fell unconscious. He fell down on the ground like a dry old tree. Seeing the condition of her husband, Gautami, the wife of Sudeva also started crying loudly Observing the most pathetic condition of this brahmana couple, Garuda, the carrier of Lord Visnu, became sympathetic. He also requested Lord Hari to grant them a son. Hearing Garuda's request. Lord Hari empowered him to give such a boon to the brahmin couple. So Garuda started fanning the unconscious Sudeva. Then he told the brahmin couple, "Oh fortunate ones, following the order of my master Lord Hari, I am giving a boon to you, that you will get a son very soon, and he will be as qualified as myself."

In this way, after giving the boon. Lord Hari disappeared from that place on His carrier Garuda. After some time had passed Gautami gave birth to a son named Sukadeva. From his very childhood, Sukadeva exhibited wonderful godly qualities and always satisfied his guru, and all of his superiors, and friends. Once the great sage Devala, who was shining like the sun, came to their asrama. Sudeva and his wife prayed to him and gave him a nice asana on which to comfortably sit. Their son Sukadeva also paid his obeisances to the great sage.
Seeing the face of Sukadeva, Devala Rsi became very happy. But then suddenly he became grave. He spoke to the brahmin couple, "This child Sukadeva has all the good qualities of a great person, but there is one serious disqualification. This boy will drown at the age of twelve." The sage then left the place, and the brahmin couple became very unhappy. However, remembering the all-merciful Lord Visnu, they continued on in their day to day life.

One day their son Sukadeva was taking bath in a nearby tank with his other friends. Following the dictates of unavoidable providence, the boy went into the deep water and drowned. The friends of Sukadeva informed his parents about death of their beloved son. They started crying very loudly, and coming to the tank, they repeatedly kissed their dead son and lamented. Sudeva took the dead body of his son on his lap and started crying, "Oh son, get up! We are waiting for you. Unless you get up and talk to us, we are both going to give up our lives." Speaking in this way, the brahmana started chanting the Holy Name of Lord Hari When the brahmin couple were lamenting and constantly chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, an untimely rain came along with a heavy wind. The whole world became filled with water, but the brahmin couple were oblivious to externals because of their lamentation for their son. They were constantly chanting the Holy name of the Lord. In this way, a whole month passed away. And that month was Purusottama month. Unknowingly the brahmin couple had worshiped that most sacred month, the month most beloved to Lord Sri Krishna. Being pleased by their austerities. Lord Sri Krishna appeared before them and then the rain immediately stopped. Seeing their Lord, the brahmin couple immediately paid their full obeisances keeping their son side. Lord Sri Krishna was very, very pleased because they had worshiped Purusottama month [unknowingly]. The Lord said, "Oh fortunate Sudeva, your son Sukadeva will live with you for twelve thousand years in this material world to give you all pleasure and at the end of that time both of you will return back to Me in Goloka Dhama."

As soon as Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had finished his words their son got up. It was just like he had been sleeping for a long time. Seeing their son alive again, the brahmin couple became extremely happy. In the mean time the demigods started showering flowers from heaven. Then Sukadeva paid his obeisances to his parents and Lord Sri Hari. Garuda, the carrier of the Lord, also became very happy seeing the brahmin couple with their son All these incidents seemed extraordinary to Sudeva brahmana, and so he asked Lord Sri Krishna why He gave them back their son.

Lord Sri Krishna, who is controlled by His devotees, then spoke to Sudeva, "Oh fortunate one, don't you know the reason why I am so pleased with you? Both you and your wife observed fasting and worship during the whole of Purusottama month - and that month is most dear to Me. When both of you were lamenting for your son by observing full fast and chanting my Holy Name is was the Holy Purusottama month. You worshiped me throughout the entire Purusottama month, and that pleased Me very much. Once Lord Brahma was measuring the value of Purusottama month against all the other pious austerities and religious activities mentioned in Vedas. However, the value of Purusottama month is far more valuable than all types of Vedic religious activities.

Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Any human being who observes My Purusottama month is ever the most fortunate one in all three worlds. At the end of his life, he will return to My abode Goloka." Saying these words, the Supreme Lord left that place riding His carrier Garuda.

Then Sage Valmiki told King Hadadhanwa, "Oh king, your question has now been answered. The parrot who advised you in the forest was Sukadeva, your beloved son in your previous life. Sukadeva achieved his perfection by the mercy of the Lord, but he was feeling some sympathy for you [Hadadhanwa], his father in his previous life. Seeing you engaged in a materialistic way of life, he reminded you of your duty to worship Lord Hari in forthcoming Purusottama month. By such merit you will return back to Godhead."

Then King Hadadhanwa eagerly asked Sage Valmiki about Purusottama month "Oh sage, please tell m. How should one observe this most fortunate Purusottama month which is most dear to Lord Sri Krishna? Who is the worshipable Lord for this month? What are the processes to worship this month and observe austerities Please tell me all these secrets.
The great sage Valmiki replied, "Oh king, one should get up early in the morning [in Brahma Muhurta] thinking about the Supreme Lord Hari who is also known as the Param Brahman Then he should finish his morning duties, take bath, do pranayama and offer prayers to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Sri Krishna with His consort Sri Radhika are the worshipable Deities for this Purusottama month. One should continuously chant gayatri until the sun rises in the east. Then one should pay his obeisances and offer [Arghya] water, flowers etc. to the sun-god, who is also known as Surya Narayana. After finishing all of these morning duties one should start worshiping Lord Hari.

A worshiper of Purusottama month should take a vow to remain truthful, not to speak any lie. He should remain very peaceful, and not be engaged in any violent activities. He should collect some fresh cow dung and mixing it with some water, he should purify a certain area in the shape of a circle. Within that purified circular area, he should draw an eight-petal lotus flower with the help of some rice powder. Then he should place a new pot full of sacred water collected from different holy rivers, or he can call all the different tirthas or river to enter that pot of water. The water pot may be made of gold, silver, copper or of earth, according to the worshiper's financial ability.

After placing the Holy water pot properly he should call, "Oh river Ganges, Godavari, Kaveri, Saraswati, Jamuna, etc. Please enter to this sacred pot and also purify my body and mind." Then he should worship that water pot with the help of sandalwood pulp, different other scented things, flowers etc. He should place a copper plate covered with a new yellow cloth upon that water pot. Then one should place Deities of Sri Radha Krishna upon that pot After placing the Deities properly, one should start worshiping Them with faith and devotion.

The great sage Valmiki continued to speak again, "He should purify the Deities by a fire sacrifice and establish Them with life though the Vedic process, otherwise the Deities made of metal remain a lump of metal only. A brahmana who is qualified with Vedic knowledge should perform these activities. First of all he should chant Purusa Sukta, starting from "om tad vishnur param padam", followed by the vijaya mantra of Purusottama. By placing his thumb on his heart, he should chant all these mantras to establish the Deities with life He should take a vow that "1 shall live for this Deity, or 1 shall die for this Deity " He should chant many other mantras prescribed in Yajurveda adding 'swaha" at the end of each mantra In this way. he should meditate upon Lord Purusottama, Sri Krishna Then he should speak like this.

"Oh Purusottama! 1 am offering this noble seat to Sri Sri Radha Krishna. The holy water brought by me from different holy rivers including Ganges is for Your pleasure. Oh Lord, please accept this water for washing Your feet." Saying this, one should offer padya. Then one should offer acamana to the Deities. Then one should bathe the Deities with pancamrita. Again offering acamana, to fulfill one's ultimate desire and attain perfection one should offer new yellow silken, clothes to the Deities. Then he should pray, "Oh Purusottama, please save me from this nescience, this cycle of birth and death."
One should offer brahminical threads with the new cloth also. Then he should chant, "Oh Lord! Please accept this sweetly scented sandalwood pulp which is prepared by me in careful way." Then he should offer sandalwood pulp to different parts of the bodies of the Deities. He should pray, "Oh Purusottama, please accept these scented and unbroken flowers carefully collected by me " Then he should offer the flowers to the Deities He should worship the different parts of body of the Lord by chanting the mantras consisting of twenty- four different names of Lord Visnu starting from kesavaya namah. In this way one should worship Lord Purushottama properly Then king Hadadhanwa inquired- "Oh sage' What should be the prescribed foods for a performer of Purusottama vrata What should one not eat in this month Please explain everything very clearly to me "

Sage Valmiki said, "Oh King! Listen, I am now explaining everything to you in brief. In purified consciousness one should collect, wheat, rice, sugar candy, sesame seeds, ginger, green leafs, banana, cucumber, rock salt, butter, ghee, curd, mango, potato etc, and should cook them without oil. One should not eat meat, fish etc. or any kinds of non-vegetarian things. One should not use mustard, or mustard oil, or any kind of intoxicant in his daily fare.

One should prepare one's food in a purified way, in pure consciousness, and one should not cook in an iron pot. One should not speak any nonsense, nor think any nonsense, while preparing prasadam. One should avoid any type of contaminated food prepared in a contaminated or improper way. In Purusottama month one should not blaspheme the demigods, the Veda or any literature in pursuance of the Vedic version, brahmanas, the spiritual master, cows, and person [man or woman] who performs Purusottama vrata, the king and all other saintly people. One should try his best to please Lord Visnu by performing various austerities to the best of his ability A worshiper of Purusottama month should follow the above rules and regulations in the month of Kartika and Magha month as well, otherwise he could not get the full benefit from performing his Purusottama vrata. If possible one can worship Purusottama month by observing a full fast from food throughout the month If he cannot observe full fast, he could live by drinking ghee or drinking some milk which he should collect by begging. If he cannot do this, he can simply eat some fruits An intelligent person should take a vow according to his capacity to observe and follow it. One should not break his vow in the middle of it. If one worships the Lord in His Saligram form, offering Him one lakh ofTulasi leaves, then he will achieve such unlimited merit and success that even Lord Brahma cannot describe it.

If one worships Purusottama month in this way, he will achieve more glories than performing one hundred horse sacrifices. The performer of Vedic karma-kanda yajnas achieves Swarga loka, but the worshiper of Purusottama achieves Goloka Dhama. All the holy places of the world come to live in the body of a person who performs Purusottama vrata.
King Hadadhanwa asked, "Oh great sage' What are the benefits one achieves by offering a lamp to Lord Purusottama in this month" The great sage Valmiki then began speaking enthusiastically, "There was king named Citrabahu who ruled over the kingdom of Bhagyanagar. He was a great devotee of Krishna, and possessed all good qualities like truth fullness, nonviolence, forgiveness, cultured behavior. kindness, respect towards saintly people and brahmanas, and knowledge of all the religious principles mentioned in the sastra. Once the great sage Agastya came to his palace Seeing the great Rsi, the king paid his obeisances even though from a distance When the sage came closer, he gave him a nice place to sit. He then worshiped him with great respect and very pleasingly said, "Today my life has become successful because a great devotee of Sri Krishna has entered my palace He sincerely tried his best to please the sage The king then began to question Agastya Muni about his past life He said, "Oh great sage, in my present life I am enjoying such an undisturbed kingdom, and 1 have a beautiful and chaste wife, and nice sons and daughters. What pious activities did 1 perform in my past life to give such an enjoyable result in my present life " Agastya Muni replied, "Oh fortunate one, please listen carefully to me 1 will now explain your previous life to you.

In your previous life your name was Manigriva. You were a most cruel, non-believer of God and a person of very bad character. But your wife [who is also your present wife] was a very pious and religious lady. She was very chaste and beautiful, and always engaged to please you. Your bad character and cruel behavior meant no one in society liked you. Every one broke their relationship with you Even the king of your country took away everything from you - including your wealth and property. In this way, being rejected by society, you began to live in the forest with your chaste wife. Once when you were going to hunt for some food, you came across a man who had fallen down unconscious on the forest road His name was Sage Ugradeva Seeing the brahmin Sage Ugradeva in such an unconscious and helpless condition, some mercy arose us your heart Sage Ugradeva was on his way to Prayag tirtha, but because of lasting and the influence of an unbearable hot sun he fell down unconscious in the forest. You brought him to your small cottage, and both you and your wife began to serve him by fanning him, giving him some water to drink and cooling his forehead. After a little time the sage came back to consciousness. He looked around in wonder Then you described everything to him - how he had fainted, and you had brought him to your cottage. You then offered some fresh water to the sage He was very pleased with you and asked about your impoverished living condition. The great sage Ugradeva inquired, "Oh Manigriva, why are you are suffering so much here in the forest Please tell me everything about your past situation, so that I can find some way to bring you good fortune in the future." You then humbly explained your wretched life and asked him to find some solution to your miseries.

Ugradeva listened attentively and then said, "Oh great soul, you will definitely become famous in this world because you have served me so well as your guest. So to eradicate your previous sinful reactions, I am now going to explain to you the simplest and easiest way for you to attain all good fortune. In three month's time the sacred Purusottama month will begin. In order to please the Supreme Lord Purusottama, you should daily offer a lamp to the Lord By doing this all your misfortune will vanish. The best lamp to offer is a ghee lamp, but because you are living in the forest you can offer a lamp made from sesame oil When you attain some wealth, you must then offer a ghee lamp." Having spoken in this way. Sage Ugradeva left that place for Prayag, constantly chanting the Holy Name of Sri Krishna.

Following the order of Sage Ugradeva, Manigriva and his wife offered an oil lamp to Purusottama regularly though out that sacred month. After some time, the couple left their bodies and attained Swargaloka due to the merit they attained from offering a lamp to Lord Purusottama. After enjoying many years in the heavenly planets, the same couple came back again to this material world and achieved a very glorious position in society as King Citrabahu and his queen. Agastya Muni then said to King Citrabahu, "Oh king, such was your previous life, and such is the glory of simply offering an oil lamp to Lord Purusottama in the sacred month of Purusottama. A person who offers a ghee lamp to the Lord daily in this month receives unlimited merit Oh king, please do not doubt that such great merits are achieved simply by offering a lamp to the Lord "

Then the great sage Valmiki continued, "In this way, after explaining the previous life of King Citrabahu, and being worshiped by him, Agastya Muni became very pleased and blessed him the king He then left the palace
King Hadadhanva further inquired from Sage Valmiki, "0 saintly one, please tell me how to perform udyapana - the bonafide breaking of Purusottama vrata. Which rules and regulations should one follow Which are the special days to finish one's vow of worship to Lord Sri Krishna in Purusottama month." The great sage replied, "In Purusottama month, one can break his worship and vows on the fourteenth day, ninth day or on the eighth day of the dark fortnight. Early in the morning one should leave his bed After performing his morning duties, he should invite qualified brahmanas and give them charity according to his ability. If it is not possible to invite thirty brahmanas, one should invite five or seven according to his capacity. At mid-day one should purify a certain area with cow dung and water. Then he should draw a round circle with the help of rice powder. He should bring four new pots and place them in the four directions with a coconut upon each of them. The pots should first be filled with water. He should then establish Lord Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha in each pot serially, and invite four qualified brahmanas to sit inside the circle and chant the holy name of Krishna. By presenting new clothes, two sets for each brahmana, he should welcome them and humbly request them to chant the Holy Name He should also present each of them a ring to wear To purify himself, he should perform the purifying processes mentioned in the sastra. When the invited brahmanas are engaged in their chanting, one should start his worship to Lord Purusottama with his wife. He should engage the brahmanas to separately chant the names of Chaturbhuja, [Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha] in the four corners of the circle. Four different lamps should be offered in the four directions. Then one should offer Arghya [oblations]. And while performing worship by giving Arghya, one should chant the following mantra:
"0 Supreme Lord! 0 Sanatana, 0 Purusottama, 0 Hari, I am paying my obeisances unto You. Please, along with Your beloved Radha, accept my offerings. 1 am paying my obeisances unto You, Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara, whose bodily color is like a beautiful dark blue cloud, and who wears effulgent yellow garments on His body most gracefully." In this way one should pay his obeisances to Lord Purusottama. Then he should offer flowers [puspanjali] to Sri Radha Krishna and pay his full obeisances to the Lord along with his wife. Next he should give some charity to the invited brahmanas according to his ability. The brahmanas should be pleased to the best of his ability. He should also offer some new clothes and ornaments in the name of Lord Siva and goddess Parvati, and offer two pairs of new shoes to them The best of all kinds of charity is to present Srimad Bhagavatam to a qualified brahmana. By presenting Srimad Bhagavatam, which is the literary incarnation of Lord Purusottama, to a Vaisnava devotee of the Lord, one can deliver his forefathers for one crore of lifetime's succession. All his forefathers will attain Goloka Dhama and live blissfully with Lord Purusottama After performing the above concluding ceremonies and worship, one should break his vows and worship." Sage Valmiki then said, "Now I will explain how to avoid the reaction of offences committed during the Purusottama month. One should feed some qualified brahmanas and present them some gold to nullify his reactions at the end of the Purusottama month . If one has taken his meal on Amavasya day, he should present cows along with other daksina to qualified brahmanas. One who has not taken his bath properly in a holy place should present some milk and curd to brahmanas. If some one eats fruits, oil or ghee during Purusottama month then he should give the same in charity to brahmanas at the end of Purusottama month If someone eats rice and wheat, he should give the same in charity at the end of the month. If someone sleeps on the floor during Purusottama month, he should break his vow by presenting in charity a nice bed along with a pillow to a worthy brahmana.

A person who eats on leaf plates during Purusottama month, should feed some brahmanas with ghee and sugar One who did not cut his nails and hair during Purusottama month should give a mirror in charity to a brahmana. One who has offered lamps throughout the month should give some new lamps and new pots in charity to brahmanas. A person who broke any of the rules during the Purusottama month should feed brahmanas with different kinds of sweet juice. Anyone who thus observes Purusottama month in a faithful and devotional way will attain Goloka at the end of his life."
Having narrated everything about Purusottama month. Sage Valmiki then told King Hadadhanva, "Oh King, now I am going to the river Sarayu to take a bath." The king then worshiped him in a very submissive way to please him. After blessing the king with all good fortune. Sage Valmiki left that place for Sarayu. When Sage Valmiki left the palace, the king along with his queen left his kingdom and started to live in a simple and peaceful way in the forest. When the sacred month Purusottama appeared, both husband and wife performed their worship exactly as they had heard of it from Sage Valmiki. At the end of Purusottama month, a celestial airplane came to carry King Hadadhanwa and his queen to Goloka.

Lord Narayana then told Narada, "Oh Narada, in this world there is nothing equal to Purusottama month. The result or merit one gets from performing severe austerities for one thousand births is in no way comparable to the merit of worshiping Purusottama month. There is a nice story in this connection. The story of a monkey who was delivered from this material ocean and attained Goloka simply by taking a holy bath for three days during Purusottama month. The sins of his previous one crore of lifetimes were destroyed."
Hearing these words, the sages of Naimisaranya asked Suta Goswami, "Oh great sage, please tell us in detail about this monkey's past life. Who was that monkey? Where and how did he take his bath during Purusottama month? What was he eating during the month? What results did he receive by worshiping Purusottama month unknowingly?"
Suta Goswami then continued to recount what Lord Narayana had said, "In the province of Kerela there was a greedy brahmana. His given name was Citra Sharma, but because of his greedy and cruel nature, people called him Kadarya (greedy). Being banished from his village, he went to the forest. There he made a pious friend who was a gardener After sometime that gardener wanted to visit some holy places, and so he asked Kadarya to look after his fruit garden. The gardener was a simple person, and so he left everything under the care of his new friend Kadarya. However, when the gardener left, Kadarya started eating all the best fruits in the garden. When the gardener returned and asked him about the situation, Kadarya told him that the monkeys and birds had destroyed all his best fruits.

In this way, Kadarya cheated his gardener friend. After sometime Kadarya died and was forced to accept the body of a monkey due to his previous sinful activities and cheating his gardener friend Though he was a most sinful person, he had also achieved some merit in his previous life by seeing an Udyapana (concluding ceremony of Purusottama month vrata) performed by a vaisya merchant who had sincerely worshiped that sacred month He had also worshiped Purusottama month in his greediness in the hope of aquiring some wealth from that same vaisya merchant These merits meant that Kadarya. in his monkey body, took his birth in a holy place on the bank of a sacred lake known as Mriga Tirtha .; Mriga tirtha was a very beautiful place The trees were full of fruits and flowers. The water in the lake was very sweet and cool, and very good for health. That place was very beautiful and pious because of a boon given by Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme Personality of (Godhead After conquering Lanka, He was very pleased with His monkey army, and so the Lord had given this sacred place to them for their enjoyment.

From the beginning of his birth Kadarya the monkey was suffering from various pitta diseases Therefore blood was always coming out from his mouth He could not eat anything But due to his nature lie was jumping from one tree to another, picking fruits and then throwing them down. In the meantime, Purusottama month arrived. During that sacred month, the monkey's suffering increased. He could not eat anything, and so he observed a full fast unknowingly during this month. One day, while jumping from one tree to another, the monkey fell down into the lake of Mriga tirtha. After five days, he died, and when he died, a celestial airplane came and took him to Goloka Dhama He received a very beautiful spiritual body and lived happily in Goloka.

Seeing the amazing good fortune of this monkey, all the demigods started to glorify Purusottama month Then Narada asked "0 Lord, whatever You have explained previously in principle is meant to guide one's activities for the first part of the day during Purusottama month. Please elaborate on other favorable daily regulations and activities " Lord Narayana then said, "After finishing his noon duties. one should welcome any guests who come to his door A guest who comes to him when he is engaged in milking his cows, should be worshiped very properly and fully satisfied by charity given according to one's ability.
After satisfying one's guests, one should take his meal (prasadam) very peacefully in a purified place facing the east. He should first chant the mantra "swaha om" and then begin to honor his meal with the help of his tongue (i e , without chewing). Then one should eat any sweet items in peaceful mind. One should not eat any food that is in any way contaminated. While engaged in honoring prasadam, one should not discuss anything material, nor blaspheme anyone An intelligent person should then engage himself in listening to Krishna katha from a pure soul. In this way, one should always meditate on Krishna and discuss his pastimes with other devotees. When evening comes, one should take a bath and perform his regular evening duties. After finishing his evening prayers and offering some oblations to the fire god, he should sit down and honor prasadam with his followers or family members Some time shortly after this, he should take rest thinking of Lord Sri Krishna within his heart.

If a grhastha, he should perform his home duties in a truthful and peaceful way He should not commit! violence to others and should be merciful towards saintly people as well! as the poor Protection of animals, truthful speech, mercifulness, and nonviolence are some of the important principles a grhastha should follow Narada then said, "0 Lord, please describe some thing of the qualities and activities of a chaste wife in general, and of she who offers auspicious assistance to her husband in his performance of Purusottama vrata " Lord Narayana replied, " 0 Narada, please listen carefully. I will now describe in general some of the good qualities of a chaste wife. Whether one's husband is beautiful or ugly, has all good qualities or all bad, is either healthy or diseased, peaceful or angry in nature, a drunkard, illiterate or well educated, a chaste wife should pay proper respect to her husband and other superiors like her mother-in-law, father-in-law, etc. She should co-operate with her husband in the performance of all sorts of religious and pious activities She should save some thing from their family's daily expenses for future emergencies. An ideal wife should be very intelligent in the performance of her daily duties and her dealings with family members. She should not give anything in charity to relatives or other people without the knowledge other husband She should not speak to any man other than her husband in a private place All of the above principles should be followed by a woman who desires to be chaste Lord Narayana then continued, "There is no one more worshipabie for a wife than her husband. B pleasing her husband, a woman achieves all perfection Among men and demigods, one's husband . , most worshipabie for a chaste woman Once upon a time goddess Parvati worshiped Purusottama month on the advice other husband. Lord Siva She then asked her revered husband what is the best thing to give in charity to conclude one's worship of Purusottama month successfully Lord Siva replied that one should fill a bell metal pot with thirty malpuras, and then bind the pot with seven new threads.

To conclude the Purusottama vrata successfully, one should give this bell metal pot to a worthy brahamana. If someone is very rich, he or she should give thirty such pots in charity to thirty qualified brahmanas Hearing these instructions from Lord Siva, goddess Parvati became very happy. She concluded her Purusottama vrata by giving thirty bell metal pots full of malpuras to thirty qualified brahmanas, and in this way became successful in observing her Purusottama vrata."
Suta Goswami then continued to relate this discussion between Lord Narayana and Naradji to the sages ofNaimisaranya. He said, "0 brahmanas, the great sage Narada Muni became very pleased by hearing all about Purusottama month from Lord Narayana. He paid his obeisances again and again to Him and began to speak, "Oh, this Purusottama month is the best of all months, it is best of all kinds of vratas and austerities. Even if one just hears the glories of Purusottama month faithfully, he will achieve devotional service to the Supreme Lord Purusottama, and all of his sinful reactions will be immediately nullifies And one who performs the whole vrata and worships Purusottama month properly will achieve unlimited merit and thus attain Goloka Narada Muni then told Lord Narayana, "0 Lord, now 1 am fully satisfied and my heart and my mind are completely in bliss. Therefore I do not need to hear anything more on this topic. AU glories to You!"

After so explaining these glories of Purusottama month, Srila Suta Gosvami asked permission from the assembled sages to take their leave, bathe in the Ganges and perform his other regular duties. They gratefully agreed, and he then paid them his humble obeisances and went to the Ganges. The sages of Naimisaranya then spoke among themselves, "Oh, this sacred Purusottama month is most glorious, and its history is ancient. It is so merciful that it fulfills all a devotee's desires just like a desire tree. How glorious is Purusottama month!"

Thus ends the glories of Purusottama month as recorded in the Padma Purana. OM TAT SATSubject: