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X-WR-CALNAME:ISKCON Punjabi Bagh,
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ISKCON Punjabi Bagh,
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DTSTART:20260101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260403
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T075608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T065259Z
UID:47855-1775088000-1775174399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Balarama Rasayatra 2nd April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Lord Balarama’s springtime rasa dance with His cowherd girlfriends. Krsna performs rasa lila of two varieties\, one in the autumn season and one in the spring season\, on vaisakha purnima. \nBalarama also performs rasa dance at this time. In order to keep the gopis in Vrndavana satisfied\, Lord Balarama stayed there continually for two months\, namely the months of Caitra and Vaisakha. For those two months he kept himself among the gopis and he passed every night with them in the forest of Vrndavana in order to satisfy their desire for conjugal love. Thus Balarama also enjoyed the rasa dance with the gopis during those two months.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-balarama-rasayatra-2nd-april-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/balarama_rasayatra.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260403
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T075827Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T065305Z
UID:47857-1775088000-1775174399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa 2nd April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Lord Krishna’s springtime rasa dance. The purnima or full moon of Damodara month is the second full moon of the autumn season\, and rasa lila is again celebrated.  \nThis second rasa yatra is celebrated more in Bengal\, whereas the first one is celebrated more in Vrndavana. On this day one should perform full worship of Radha and Krsna with many flowers\, and place them in a rasa mandapa surrounded by the gopis. Sri Krishna Vasant Rasa is similar excepting that it is in the Spring (Vasant)\, at this time everyone dresses in yellow. On this full moon night the devotees usually leave out pots of sweet rice payasam for the Lord to enjoy during His rasas.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-krishna-vasanta-rasa-2nd-april-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Krishna1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260403
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T080356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T065311Z
UID:47859-1775088000-1775174399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srila Vamsivadana Thakura 2nd April 2025
DESCRIPTION:Sri Vamsivadananda Thakura Appearance Day. Vamsivadananda Thakura wrote many sweet poems expressing his devotion to Krsna.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srila-vamsivadana-thakura-2nd-april-2025/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Sri-Vamsivadananda-Thakura.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260403
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T082510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T065318Z
UID:47861-1775088000-1775174399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srila Syamananda Prabhu 2nd April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Syamananda Prabhu\, a disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya\, established the temple of Sri Radha-Syamasundara in Vrndavana.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srila-syamananda-prabhu-2nd-april-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Syamananda-Prabhu1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260409
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260410
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T082621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T063448Z
UID:47863-1775692800-1775779199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Abhirama Thakura 9th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Abhirama Thakura was one of the most vigorous preachers among the associates of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. In the mood of a cowherd boy\, Sri Abhirama Thakura carried a bullwhip named Jaya Mangala.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-abhirama-thakura-9th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Abhirama.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260412
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260413
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T082745Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T063523Z
UID:47865-1775952000-1776038399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakura 12th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Vrndavana Dasa Thakura was the author of Sri Caitanya Bhagavata\, a great biography of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is considered the manifest Vyasadeva of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-vrindavana-dasa-thakura-12th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Srila-Vrndavana-Dasa-Thakura.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260413
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260414
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T082902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T082902Z
UID:47867-1776038400-1776124799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Varuthini Ekadashi 13th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Varuthini Ekadasi most mercifully descends in the month of Vaisakha (April/May) and is described in details in a conversation between Sri Krsna and Yudhisthira Maharaj. Once upon a time the sublime king Yudhisthira asked the Lord: “Please explain to me the process for observong this Ekadasi which takes place during the waning Moon in the month of Vaisakha. What is the process for observing this Ekadasi and what results may be obtained by such practice.” \nLord Krsna replied: “My dear Raja (king) the name of this Ekadasi is Varuthini and it awards one greatly intrinsic fortune\, both in this life and the next. By following the vow of Ekadasi one obtains perpetual happiness and his sinful reactions dwindle as of a dimminuendo. By following such a vow an unfortunate wife grows fortunate\, a lame man may leap and a blind man see. A human being attains prosperity in this life and the next\, and even without realising so; an animal may be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Many saintly kings such as Dhundhumara and Jambhudra became liberated by following this delectable and most transcendent of days… Varunthini Ekadasi.” \n“O great king! Donating an elephant is superior to donating a horse\, donating land is superior to donating an elephant and donating sesame seeds is greater than donating sesame seeds and donation of food grains is greater than donating gold. In fact there is no greater charity than donating food grains in charity. By such munificence one can satisfy the forefathers\, the demigods and all living entities. The learned scholars have recorded in their Vedic legacy that\, giving a daughter in charity is equal to giving  grains in charity. The Supreme Lord Himself has compared donating food grains to be equal in stature and benificence to donating cows! Moreover\, among all kinds of charities sharing one’s knowledge with others is the highest. \n“By following Varuthini Ekadasi one can attain the results of all charities. A person who earns his livelihood by cowardly selling of his daughter\, deserves to live in hell untill the end of time. Therefore no one should ever accept wealth in exchange for his daughter. A householder who\, under the influence of greed sells his daughter in exchange for money becomes a cat in his next life. But one who decorates his daughter with beatific ornaments according to his own capacity and gives her away in all good faith to a qualified and chaste groom\, even Citragupta-the secretary of Yamaraja\, is unable to count his piety. \nThe follower of this Ekadasi should abstain from eating out of a bell metal pot\, eating meat\, masura gram\, chickpea\, spinach\, honey\, accepting foodstuffs cooked by others\, eating more than neccessary\, eating more than once and engaging in sex life from the day before Ekadasi. He should not engage in gambling\, sleeping\, eating betel nuts\, brushing his teeth\, blaspheming anyone\, gossiping\, speaking ill truths\, speaking with a sinful person\, becoming angry and telling lies on the day of Ekadasi. If one observes the Ekadasi day in this manner with great tenacity and determination\, according to these reglatory stipulations-all his sinful reactions will be completely annhiliated and he will attain the supreme destination. One who remains awake on the day of Ekadasi and worships Lord Janardana becomes freed from all sins and attains the supreme goal of life. Anyone who hears or reads some narration of the inscrutable glories of this Ekadasi surely achieves the result of donating one thousand cows\, and being freed from all his sinful reactions he attains the abode of Visnu.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/varuthini-ekadashi-13th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ekadashi.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260416
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T083020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T083020Z
UID:47869-1776211200-1776297599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Beginning of Salagrama and Tulasi Jala Dana 15th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Starting of Tulasi Jala Dana During the hot season in India\, a pot of dripping water is placed over Tulasi and Salagrama to keep them cool.\nKeshava Vrata starts; for one month one should control the senses\, sleep on the earth\, bath twice daily in a river\, worship the Lord and give cloth\, sugar\, sesame\, rice\, and gold to the brahmanas. If one worships Madhsudana in this month one gains the benefits of one years worship.\nWhile Keshava Vrata lasts one may hang a pot with a hole in it\, fill it with water and drip water over Tulasi and a Shalagrama Shila. \nThis is especially done in the now hot northern hemisphere when water becomes a vital asset for the growth of Tulasi Devi. In the southern hemisphere be careful not to overwater as we come out of Summer and into Autumn.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/beginning-of-salagrama-and-tulasi-jala-dana-15th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tulsi.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260417
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260418
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T083123Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T063545Z
UID:47872-1776384000-1776470399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srila Gadadhara Pandita 17th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Gadadhara Pandita is among the group known as the Panca-tattva\, consisting of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and four of His closest associates. Gadadhara Pandita spent most of his life in Jagannatha Puri worshiping the Tota-Gopinatha Deity.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-gadadhara-pandita-17th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/gadadhar.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260420
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260421
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T083233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T083233Z
UID:47874-1776643200-1776729599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Aksaya Tritya – Candana Yatra Starts 20th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Candana Yatra is a festival during the hot season in India in which the Deities are covered with sandalwood paste (candana) to cool Them. (This is generally impractical in the West\, where it is cold during this time.) \nFor 21 days with the Utsava Vigrahas covered in chandan. The Deities are covered completely with chandan(sandalwood paste)\, which provides the Lord relief from the scorching heat of summer in the month of Vaisakha/Jyestha (May/June). \nOnce\, Lord Jagannatha instructed the ancient King Indradyumna to perform this festival on this occasion. Smearing the body of the Lord with ointments is an act of devotion\, and the best of balms is said to be sandalwood paste. Since heat in the month of Vaisakha is extreme in India\, the cooling effect of sandalwood paste would be pleasing to the Lord. \nSandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Lord Jagannatha leaving only his two eyes exposed. The Utsava Vigrahas (functional Deities – Vijay Utsav) are taken on procession and placed in a boat in the temple pond. To commemorate this festival\, Lord Caitanya also performed water sport with his devotees. \nChandan yatra is said to have been celebrated first on the day when Treta-yuga began. Sages and devotees perform homa (yajna) during this holy occasion. Usually barley is used as a major ingredient for homa. Ganga Devi is said to have descended to earth on this day. People also perform special puja on the occasion of this holy day. Bathing in a holy river\, offering charity\, performing japa and fire sacrifices\, offering barley in sacred fire\, and preparations of delicious food using barley are common celebrations among the people. \nIn the Mahabharata\, the Pandavas lived in disguise in the palace of King Virata during their Ajnatavasa. After Bhima killed Kichaka\, King Virata realised that the Pandavas were living in his palace. The king felt proud of them and made strong bonds of friendship with them. Once\, the king expressed his desire to have a darshan of Lord Krishna with the Pandavas. Yudhisthira then advised the king to organise a boat journey in a lake for the amusement of Lord Krishna in summer months. \nThe king also organised to embalm the body of the Lord with sandalwood paste in fragrant water to comfort Him from summer heat. Satisfied with the devotion of King Virata\, Lord Krishna arrived with his elder brother Balarama. The two Lords and the Pancha Pandavas enjoyed the Snana-yatra and rowing festival. Thus with the close association of Lord Krishna\, the pious king fulfilled his devotional desire. To commemorate this incident\, Lord Jagannatha (Krishna) enjoys Chandan Yatra with Pancha Pandava at the Narendra Sarovar. This festival is known as Chandan Mahotsava. Prior to the existence of Narendra Sarovar\, this festival was said to have been observed in other tanks like Benta Sarovar. \nMadhavendra Puri was a great follower of the Gaudiya-sampradaya. When he was in Govardhana\, he dreamt of a deity of Gopala dug in the jungles. The Lord said\, “Madhava\, I am much suffocated in the jungle beneath the earth. Please excavate my place and install Me in a temple.” So Madhavendra Puri\, with the help of the Annore villagers\, excavated the earth and found the deity and Gopala was installed on top of the Govardhana Hill. One day\, Gopala said\, “I was beneath the earth for long and My body is worn out. Would you please bring some sandalwood from Jagannatha Puri and smear on Me with its pulp and soothe My body?” \nMadhavendra Puri was then an old man and he couldn’t deny the order of Lord Gopala. So he set out to Jagannatha Puri. On the way\, he reached the Remuna where the Gopinätha temple is located at the border of Orissa and Bengal. He stayed there overnight and saw that the pujari offered twelve pots of ksira to the deity. So Madhavendra Puri thought\, “If I could taste a bit of ksira\, then I would also make similar offerings to my Gopala in Vrindävan. Immediately\, his consciousness scolded him\, “Oh\, I am so stupid. Before offering it to the Deity\, I think of eating it.” Realising his mistake\, he immediately left the temple. He went outside and sat beneath a tree and chanted the Hare Krisha Mahamantra to pass the night. At night\, the Deity appeared in the dream to the priest and said\, “I have shielded one pot of kshira (condensed milk) behind My garment. Take it to Madhavendra Puri sitting beneath the tree outside the temple. The priest reached the temple and did so as instructed. Then the priest described the whole episode to Madhavendra Puri. Thereafter\, Gopinatha became famous as Kñéra-cora\, who stole ksira for His great devotee. \nIn the next day morning\, Madhavendra Puri set out to Jagannatha to collect chandan for Gopala. Before he reached Puri\, the news was spread there that Gopinatha stole kshira for Madhavendra Puri. At Jagannatha Puri\, Madhavendra met the pujari of Lord Jagannatha and expressed the desire of Lord Gopala. The pujari took him to the King of Puri. Hearing the episode\, the king gave him one mann (nearly 37 kg) of special sandalwood used in Puri and two security guards and gave him a written order not to harm Madhavendra\, the carrier of chandan. While he reached near Gopinatha\, Govinda appeared in his dream and said\, “Madhava\, you embalm Lord Gopinatha with sandal paste so that I too would receive it\, for Gopinatha and I are one.” Madhavendra Puri anointed Lord Gopinatha with chandan paste as Gopala instructed. The Chandan Yatra festival started since then to commemorate the incident. \nBefore one month of the festival\, ISKCON Vrindavan devotees enthusiastically ground the sandalwood paste (approximately 100 kilograms) for anointing the embodiments of their wonderful Divinities for the Chandan-yatra festival. On the day of Chandan Yatra\, HG Aindra Prabhu and his qualified team of pujaris started to smear with chandan since 12:45 pm to 4:30 pm on their Lordships with pure love and devotion. We all had a wonderful darshan on that auspicious day and we unanimously thank all those pious devotees who actively participated in the chandan festival to make the event a grand success. \nPlease see the extract from Caitanya Caritamrita below to commemorate the event. (Translation and purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada): \nSri Caitanya Caritamrita: Madhya Lila (4.106) says\,\ngopala kahe\, puri amara tapa nahi yaya malayaja-candana lepa’\, tabe se judaya.\n“In his dream\, Mädhavendra Puri saw Gopäla\, who said\, “My bodily temperature still has not decreased. Please bring sandalwood from the Malaya province and smear the pulp over My body to cool Me.” \nPURPORT:\nThe Deity of Gopala had been buried within the jungle for many years\, and although He was installed and was offered thousands of pots of water\, He still felt very hot. He therefore asked Madhavendra Puri to bring sandalwood from the Malaya province. Sandalwood produced in Malaya is very popular. That province is situated on the western ghäöa\, and the hill Nilagiri is sometimes known as Malaya Hill. The word malaya-ja is used to indicate the sandalwood produced in Malaya Province. Sometimes the word Malaya refers to the modern country of Malaysia. Formerly this country also produced sandalwood\, but now they have found it profitable to produce rubber trees. Although the Vedic culture was once prevalent in Malaysia\, now all the inhabitants are Muslims. The Vedic culture is now lost in Malaysia\, Java and Indonesia.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/aksaya-tritya-candana-yatra-starts-20th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260424
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T083505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T083505Z
UID:47878-1776902400-1776988799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Jahnu Saptami 23rd April 2026
DESCRIPTION:The day when the sage Jahnu released the River Ganges after swallowing her. On this day\, if possible\, one should worship the Ganges and bathe in her waters. \nFrom Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Sri Navadvipa Mahatmya\nChapter 13: Description of Vidyanagara and Jahnudvipa As \nNityananda spoke\, they went to Jannagara where they saw the enchanting hermitage of Jahnu Muni. Nityananda Prahhu explained\, “This enchanting place named Jahnudvipa is known as Bhadravana. At this place\, Jahnu Muni underwent penances and received darsana of the golden form of Gauranga. “Jahnu Muni was sitting here chanting his gayatri mantra\, when his acamana cup fell into the Bhagirathi (Ganges) and was swept away by the currents. He opened his mouth and drank all the water in one gulp. King Bhagiratha thought\, ‘Where has the Ganges gone?’ He concluded that Jahnu Muni had drunk theGanges. The king was overwhelmed with anxiety and worshipped the muni for several days. The muni then released the Ganges from his body. Because of this incident the Ganges is known as Jahnavi\, the daughter of Jahnu\, throughout the world.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/jahnu-saptami-23rd-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Jahnu-Saptami.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T083647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T083647Z
UID:47880-1777075200-1777161599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srimati Sita Devi 25th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Sita Devi\, a manifestation of the goddess of fortune\, Laksmi Devi\, is the eternal consort of Lord Ramacandra. \nSrimati Sita Devi is the daughter of the Earth goddess\, Bhumi Devi\, and central figure of the Ramayana. InMaharishi Valmiki’s own words\, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita “Sita-ayah Charitam Mahat”. \nHer glories are sun by the poet-saint Thyagaraja in his “Sri Janakatayane” \nOh daughter of Janaka\, the blessed souls of refugees! Oh Consort of Sri Raghu Rama\, bedecked with shining gem-ornaments! Pray\, protect me always! You are the wind that destroys the clouds of demons like the hundres-headed Ravana; You are the indweller in the hearts of the devotees; Your Feet shine with the lustre of gems set in the crown of Indra. \nKing Janaka was the wise and benevolent King of Janakpuri and although a great saintly king he was childless. ‘Rajarshi – a king who lives like a sage: that was how king Janaka of Videha dynasty was renowned. He ruled over the kingdom of Mithila. He looked upon his people with love and affection. \nThe Finding of Sita Devi in a casket in the Earth: \nJanaka maharaj was ploughing a piece of land and then to prepare it for conducting a Yajna (spiritual sacrifice). He unearthed a golden casket in which he found a beautiful girl and was overjoyed. A land ploughed by the yoke is called ‘Sita’\, and so he named the baby as Sita. With the arrival of the baby\, the king’s good luck appeared to soar up. His queen also gave birth to a daughter who was named Urmila. The royal couple brought up the children with great affection. They gave them a good education. The twobeautiful girls\, by their noble qualities\, good behavior and intelligence\, endeared themselves to one and all and grew to become ideal princesses. \nSita grew up and played in the palace of Janakaraj. She became well known for her beauty as well as her devotion. She could often be seen absorbed in the Deity of the Lord of the Surya-vamsa. She would when on her own\, sometimes lovingly enact the pastimes of the various forms of the Lord and relish His pastimes. In this way she revealed to those close to her that she was no ordinary young girl. \nHer fame like her beauty became well known\, and soon it was time for her to be betrothed and then married. As with kshatriya kings of those days Janakaraj organised that all the worthy kings and princes would come\, there would be a challenge for her hand\, and the victor would become her husband. \nThe story goes that one day\, revered sage Parashurama came to visit king Janaka. He carried a bow with him. He left it at the doorstep of the royal hall and went inside. Sita saw the bow\, ran to it and began playing with it as if it was a play-horse. Only those with great physical strength and daring could lift and handle the ‘Vaishnava’ bow. When Parashurama came out\, the bow was missing. Ordinary persons could not lift it with ease and he\, curiously looking around\, spotted Sita playing with it as if it was a play-horse. The sage and the king were astonished. \nThe great Sage Parashurama\, who is a partial incarnation (shaktyavesha avatara) of Vishnu then blessed Sita and said to king Janaka: “My dear king\, only a great\, and strong person can wed this girl of such capacity. Arrange a ‘Swayamvara’ (where the brides choose their spouses for their prowess) for her and let the most suitable person in the three worlds the marry her.” \nIn course of time\, Sita and Urmila attained maturity. \nKing Janaka possessed a bow said to have been blessed by Lord Shiva. It was a great bow and the king decided to marry off his daughter to one who could lift it and charge its arrow. He prepared for a Swayamvara. \nThe challenge is sent out\, “The Man Who Conquers the ‘Shiva\, Bow’ Weds Sita”\, and so all manner of qualified princes and “wannabe’s” came from all over the world. But how to find such a heroic young man to wed such a girl? \nMany noble princes from several kingdoms came aspiring for the hand of the beautiful damsel Sita. But they were awed by the mighty bow and\, saluting it turned away. \nSage Vishwamitra\, accompanied by his disciples Rama and Lakshmana\, arrived at Mithila. The princes\, sons of renowned king Dasharatha\, had conquered many demons (‘rakshasas’). King Janaka felt glad at their arrival. \nVishwamitra told Rama:”Dear Ramachandra\, pray to Lord Shiva and take to the bow.” Sri Rama bowed to Vishwamitra and offered his respects. He then prayed for the grace of Lord Shiva\, went and raised the bow with ease and thrust an arrow. As he bent the bow\, it broke. Sitadevi came and garlanded him and accepted him as her husband. The news reached king Dasharatha who rushed to Mithila with his entourage. The marriage of Rama and Sita Devi was solemnized in a grand manner. \nAfter this event\, Dasharatha spent many happy years ruling the kingdom. Old age gradually crept on\, and he decided to retire. He naturally thought of handing over the reigns of the kingdom to his eldest son Rama. He wanted to spend the rest of his life in meditation\, away from the worries of physical life. He consulted his elderly priests and decided on the day of Sri Rama’s installation on the royal throne. \nThe king was very joyful on the auspicious day. His senior consort Kausalya Devi was engaged in worship and serving the elders and priests. People in the kingdom were rejoicing and eagerly looked forward to the coming coronation. \nKing Dasharatha’s third consort was Kaikeyi. She too was very affectionate towards Rama. But carried away by the advice of her maid Manthara\, she claimed that her son Bharata should Succeed as the next king\, and that Rama should go to forest for fourteen years. Dasharatha was shocked to hear this. All his pleadings with Kaikeyi to change her mind proved in vain. \nA long time ago\, the King had promised her that he would fulfil two wishes of hers. Now\, as a fulfillment\, she demanded that the king install Bharata as the Crown Prince and that Rama should go to forest for fourteen years. \nRama came to know about this\, consoled his father and said he would go to the forest to fulfil his pledge. Rama immediately discarded his royal robes and ornaments and wearing sack-clothes\, prepared to leave for the woods. Kausalya was grief-stricken. Rama pacified her and obtained her permission to leave. \nAfter meeting his mother\, Rama went to his wife Sita. She was then bubbling with joy at the impending coronation of her husband and was performing worship for his good; she was giving away doles and offerings. \nLooking at Sita’s joy and celebration\, Rama felt it painful to inform her that he would not be crowned and that he would be leaving for the jungle. He knows she would be shocked. Looking at his worried face\, Sita asked: “You appear to be worried at such a joyous moment. What is the matter? Did anything untoward happen?” She gently wiped the sweat on his face with the edge of her saree. \nRama said: “Dear Janaki\, do not feel grieved at what I am going to tell you. I have to leave the capital for a distant place. You should see me off without tears.” He told her about the king’s dilemma and said: I will go to the forest for fourteen years and return. You should remain without anger or sorrow. Be calm. The parents are old. Look after them. Be good and courteous towards Bharata also. Permit me to leave.” \nSita was saddened. She was not sorry either at the canceling of her husband’s coronation or at the demanded crowning of Bharata. But she felt angry that Rama should leave her behind and go to the forest alone. She declared: “My Lord\, I can’t stay for a moment in a place without you. In your absence\, this Ayodhya will be a jungle to me. The forest wherein you stay will be my kingdom. My life runs under your shadow. It is not becoming of you to leave me behind.” \nRama explained to her the rigours of life in the woods. “Sita\, you do not know about jungle-life. It is not a cosy\, royal garden; cruel wild animals and evil demons (rakshasas) infest it. You hear ferocious voices. You have to live on roots and wild fruits. A tender lady like you cannot withstand these hazards.You have to pass every day in fear of some impending danger. After all\, fourteen years is not a long period.” \nSita would not listen to his pleadings. She insisted: “Whether it is jungle or town\, it is my. duty to be with you. I do not care for comforts here. I am not afraid of the difficulties we may encounter in the forest. You are such a lion of a man. Can’t you protect me there?” Tears rolled down her eyes. \nRama eventually had to agree with her: “Sita if you are with me\, any jungle is heaven. Let it be\, as you desire. Prepare to leave.” Sita happily made preparations for the sojourn. \nRama’s younger brother Lakshmana also insisted that he would accompany them. Rama had to acquiesce. \nDeciding to stay at Chitrakoota Mountain\, the three-some left and reached their destination. \nIt was a picturesque area. Many sages had built their ashrams (hermitages) there. They warmly welcomed Rama\, Sita and Lakshmana. Rama and Lakshmana built a hermitage for themselves. \nAfter a time\, Bharata\, with his entourage\, came to visit them. He wanted to plead with Rama to return to Ayodhya and assume kingship. He mournfully informed them about king Dasharatha’s passing away. Rama\, Sita and Lakshmana were overcome with grief. \nAll the pleadings of Bharata to Rama were in vain. Rama did not change his mind. At last\, Bharata requested Rama to give him his sandals so that he could place them on the throne and rule in the name of Rama. He also decided to reside in the village Nandi as a hermit. \nFrom Chitrakoota\, the three went Dandakaranya forest. \nThe sages of Dandakaranya received them with regard and affection. They told Rama that evil rakshasas and wild animals had\nbeen harassing them and sought his help to relieve them of these troubles and protect them. Rama\, by nature\, was compassionate; he promised them he would free them from the menace of rakshasas. \nSitadevi was worried. At an appropriate time she told Rama: “Aryaputra\, let me submit to you a few of my thoughts. Please do not think I am more learned than you. The sages narrated their problems and you promised them you would annihilate the rakshasas and wild animals. You have now forsaken all the royal paraphernalia and have come to the forest. Now you have to live like an ascetic and should not carry weapons. You have a bow and arrows for self-protection. By your promise to the sages\, the rakshasas will become your enemies. I am worded about this. We cannot say what danger might hit us at any time. And also\, is it just to kill wild animals and rakshasas who have not harmed us in any way? Hatred without reason may result in danger. Please think it over.” \nRama patiently listened to Sita’s words and said: “Devi\, listen. We are Kshatriyas by birth and no time is objectionable for us to punish the evil doers. Can the rakshasas attack innocent sages and devour them? Punishing them and protecting theinnocent is our dharma (sacred duty). Your thoughts deserve consideration. You have thought about this matter seriously. I will go about this very carefully.” Sita was relieved at his explanation. \nAs Rama\, Sita and Lakshmana were approaching a spot called Panchavati\, they came across a huge banyan tree. Atop it sat a large-sized eagle. They thought it might also be a rakshasas in disguise. But it said: “Raghurama\, I am a friend of your father Dasharatha. My name is Jatayu. When you and Lakshmana go out\, I will be here with Sita and keep guard. I will try to be of some help to you. “They felt happy that they met a friendly soul in the jungle. \nThey built a hermitage and lived comfortably for sometime. Close by was the Godavari river. The area was dotted with hills. The jungle trees and plants provided fruits and flowers in abundance. With majestic trees\, various plants\, chirping birds and attractive animals like the deer\, the spot was a feast to the eye. \nA demoness\, Shurpanakha\,was wandering about in that area in search of food. She scented some human beings staying there and came to Rama’s hermitage and peeped in. \nShe was instantly struck by the graceful personalities of Rama and Lakshmana and wished to marry one of them. She assumed the appearance of a beautiful damsel and asked Rama to marry her. \nRama said: “I am married and my wife is with me here. I cannot bring in” another wife. My younger brother Lakshmana is alone and he is also good-looking. Go to him.” \nShurpanakha then approached Lakshmana and asked him to marry her. He said: “I am Rama’s devout attendant. If you marry me\, you will also become a servant and have to be subserviant to Sita. Go back and ask Rama.” \nIt was a sport between the brothers. She was made to go from one to the other several times and became fed up with this game. She angrily said: “it is because Rama’s wife is here that things are happening this way. I am going to finish her off.” So saying\, she came to pounce upon Sita. \nRama told Lakshmana: “No point in being too light-hearted with evil people. Punish her and drive her away.” Thereupon\, Lakshmana went and cut off her ears\, nose and breasts and thus drove her away. \nShurpanakha\, apart from the physical pain\, felt humiliated and ran away growling loudly. She was the sister of Ravana\, the king of Lanka\, a man endowed with immense prowess. Another demon\, Khara\, who ruled over Janasthana\, where Rama’s hermitage was located\, was Ravana’s younger brother. Shurpanakha went to Khara and told him of her humiliation. He became wild with anger and\, accompanied by a large army\, came to attack Rama and Lakshmana. But Rama’s powerful arrows annihilated the enemy force. The sages of the forest extolled Rama. Sita also felt happy\, but a nagging worry continued to haunt her. \nShurpanakha then went to Lanka and wailed before Ravana. She narrated her humiliation and the defeat of Khara and his army. She also told him about Sita’s beauty. \nRavana felt sad; anger welled up in him. Should a sister of such a hero as himself suffer such humiliation? Hearing her description of Sita’s beauty\, an evil thought entered his mind – that he should abduct Sita! \nRavana thought of many ways and finally decided to seek the assistance of Mareecha\, who was his relative. Mareecha shivered at the mention of Rama. He explained to Ravana about the fury of Rama’s arrows. He advised Ravana: “To abduct Sita is a bad idea. Forget it.” \nBut Ravana was insistent. “If you do not listen to me\, your life is finished\,” he threatened Mareecha\, who then realized that any amount of advice to Ravana would be futile. \nRavana’s plan was to see that Rama and Lakshmana would be lured away from the hermitage; he could then go there and kidnap Sita. He conceived a plan and Mareecha was asked to execute it. \nMareecha assumed the guise of a lovely golden deer and moved about in the presence of Sita. Sighting it\, Sita told Rama: “Look at this beautiful deer. If we can catch it\, will it not be an ornament to Ayodhya?” \nLakshmana said: “It is not a real deer. It looks artificial. Let us not be fooled by some tricks of the rakshasas.” \nBut Rama wished to fulfil Sita’s desire and proceeded to follow the golden deer. \nHowever\, Rama could not easily catch the deer. In pursuit\, it took him far away from their residence. Finally\, tired and angry Rama struck it with an arrow. As he lay dying\, Mareecha cried out: “Ha\, Lakshmana! Ha Sita!” was imitating Rama’s voice. \nSita was worried at Rama’s not returning early when heard this cry. She entreated Lakshmana to go and find out whether Rama was in danger and needed protection. \nLakshmana tried to console her and said: “My brother is the protector of the world. What danger can affect him*? There is no need for anyone to go to his aid. These are all the rakshasas’ tricks.” \nBut Sita did not think so. She became angry and denounced Lakshmana thus: “You have come with us with some object of personal benefit. When your elder brother is facing danger you are wasting time here. I do not approve of your designs.” \nLakshmana could not tolerate this insinuation. He was worried about the welfare of Sita if he went away leaving her alone. He invoked the demigods (devas) of the forest\, and protracted the ashram by placign the Rekha line around it. Then offering respects before Sita he reluctantly left the place. \nMeanwhile\, taking advantage of Lakshaman and Rama’s absence a ‘Sannyasi’ (monk) arrived at Rama’s hut. He wore saffron robes\, had tied his hair into a top-knot and chanted Vedic hymns like any other ascetic. \nSita looked at him and he asked her: “Why are you\, such a beautiful damsel staying in this jungle suffering misery?” \nThinking that a respectable sage had come\, Sita treated him with reverence and told him about her life-story. She did not comprehend that Ravana ‘had come in disguise. \nThe Sannyasi said: “I am Ravaneshwara. All the three worlds shudder at the mention of my name. \nI have never seen a more beautiful woman like you. Come and be my queen and lead a happy life.” \nSitadevi\, hearing these words\, was see thing with anger and said: “You wretched man! I am the wife of lionhearted Rama. If you touch me\, you will be touching fire!” \nIn spite of her entreaties\, Ravana would not relent. He carried her to his chariot even as she was denouncing him and praying for her protection. \nJatayu\, who was sleeping atop a tree\, was awakened by Sita’s cries. He immediately jumped forward and attacked Ravana’s chariot\, killed the driver and damaged it considerably. \nEnraged\, Ravana lashed at Jatayu and cut off his wings. Sita was saddened to see Jatayu fall to the ground mortally wounded. Carrying Sita\, Ravana flew away in the skies towards Lanka. \nAs soon as Rama heard Mareecha’s cries\, he felt that something was wrong. He hurriedly retreated and met Lakshmana on the way back. Rama’s suspicions grew and sensing something bad\, asked Lakshmana: “Brother\, What is this? Why did you come?\nWhat about Sita’s welfare? What could happen to her by the time we get back to our place? May we see her again alive?” \nThey rushed to the hermitage and Rama cried out: “Devi\, Janaki\, where are you?” There was no answer. The ashram was empty. Rama searched around to no avail. He wandered uttering Sita’s name all over the place. “0 trees\, birds\, animals\, can’t you tell me about Sita’s whereabouts?” At one spot Rama found a bunch of flowers Sita had worn. Nearby lay Jatayu\, injured and in agony. It seemed as if the bird was struggling to keep alive only to inform Sri Rama about the abduction of Sita. It said: “Raghurama\, Ravana\, the king of Lanka\, has abducted Sitadevi. I fought him to protect her but he beat me.” With these words\, the bird died. \nRama and Lakshmana\, full of grief\, conducted the last rites of Jatayu in accordance with the tradition. \nRavana brought Sita to Lanka. He showed her his palace and riches. He showed her his rakshasas army. He told her: “Look here\, Rama cannot come here. Forget him. There is no one more heroic and rich than I am. Become my queen and lead a happy life.” \nSita did not want even to talk to him. She held a blade of grass before her and looking at it said: “Ravana\, you have carried me to this place stealthily when Rama was not present. If he was there at that time\, you would have been destroyed. It looks as if your life is now ended.” \nRavana was enraged. He kept her in the Ashokavana garden and engaged demonizes to guard her. \nRama and Lakshmana proceeded in search of Sita. Wandering all around\, they arrived at Rishyamooka hill. Sighting them from atop the hill\, Sugriva\, a king of the monkeys\, sent his minister Anjaneya (Hanuman) to meet them and bring them to him. \nHis elder brother Vali\, who also kept Sugriva’s wife for himself\, had deported Sugriva from his land. Sugriva narrated his woes to Rama and sought his help. In turn\, Rama told him about his own sorrow. Both pledged to help each other. They declare their friendship in front of the Fire God Agni (sacred fire). \nRama killed Vali and installed Sugriva on the throne. \nSugriva sent his soldiers to all corners of the country to search for Sita. Rama called Anjaneya (Hanuman) and told him: “Dear son of Vayu wind\, I feel that you will succeed in your mission. You are the only one able to reach Lanka. Go forth and meet Sita. Tell her about our welfare. As a sign of recognition\, give her this ring.” He blessed and sent him away. \nThe armies of ‘vanaras’ (monkeys and bears) reached the seashore. They thought to themselves\, How to cross the vast sea? One has only to fly. Who is capable of it. They all agreed that only Hanuman possessed the prowess to undertake the task. Thus\, Anjaneya embarked on his voyage of a distance of 100 yojanas with the speed of wind and reached Lanka he went to Ravana’s palace\, searched around and found Sita at Ashokavana. \nSita sat under a Shimshupa tree. Pale and weary-looking\, and wearing a worn-out saree\, she was sitting there on the floor crying. She was pining: “0 Ramachandra! Can’t you see my plight? Can I be so lucky as to see you again?” Ugly looking demonesses around pressed on: “Forget Rama. Marry the heroic\, wealthy Ravana. If you please him\, you can lead a life of luxury. If you refuse\, you will be finished.” But Sita sternly told them: I will never think of another man even in my dreams. “Rich or Poor\, My Life is Only with Rama” \nI would not touch another being even with my left foot.” \nSitting on the branches of a nearby tree\, Anjaneya saw all and heard these words. \nIn the morning\, Ravana accompanied by his harem came there. Ravana said: “Sita\, why you are suffering like this without good food and clothing? I am the king of the three worlds. My palace\, riches\, opulence – everything will be yours. Come to the palace. One does not know whether Rama\, living in the jungle like a hermit\, is alive or dead. Forget him.” \nAddressing the blade of grass before her\, Sita said: “I am Rama’s wife. Whether he is rich or poor\, my place is with Rama and nowhere else. I do not even want to look at you. By bringing me here\, you are ruining yourself and your family.” \nThough Ravana continued to persuade Sita\, he was insulted by her as a coward and evil man. He was angered and dashed forward with fury saying he would kill her. He was held back by one of his wives Dhanyamalini. He told Sita: “I will give you two months time. If you do not change your mind\, I will kill you!” So saying\, he went away. \nAfter he left\, the demonesses began to harass Sita who was now thinking of almost ending her life\, before these devils devoured her. An old demoness Trijata checked her associates and told them about a bad dream she had: “Do not harass Sita. She is the purest wife. Lanka is now faced with great danger. Ask her pardon.” Then\, they left off harassing her. \nHanuman came down from the treetop and stood before Sita singing the praise of Rama. \nSita\, surprised\, feared that this too might be a ruse of Ravana. But Hanuman assured her and revealed his real self. He gave her the ring given by Rama as a sign of recognition and told her about the welfare of the brothers. Sita felt relieved. She reverently touched her eyes with the ring. She explained her experiences to him and said: “If Rama does not come within two months\, my life will be finished. Tell Rama to come soon and save me.” \nHanuman said: “0 Mother\, why should we wait that long? I can carry you on my shoulders and fly to Rama now itself.” But Sita did not agree and said: “Anjaneya\, it is Rama’s duty. That duty should not be interfered with. I will suffer all the hardships here till he comes. Give this to him as a sign of recognition.” So saying\, she gave Hanuman a Chudamani (crest-jewel) she was wearing and blessed him. Anjaneya returned. \nThen\, Rama\, accompanied by the army the monkeys\, immediately proceeded towards Lanka. A bridge was built across the sea. \nThe armies of Rama and Ravana fought a fierce battle. Ravana was also a man of extraordinary prowess. His sons Indrajit\, younger brother Kumbhakarna\, commander Prahasta\, were all great warriors and fought determinedly. However\, Ravana’s army was at last defeated\, after the fall of Indrajit\, Kumbhakarna and many others who died in the battle. Still\, Ravana would not relent. Finally\, he faced Rama directly. It was a long fight\, ending in the death of Ravana. Rama installed Vibhishana\, a younger brother of Ravana\, as the king of Lanka. After that\, at Rama’s asking\, Vibhishana brought Sita to Rama. \nMother Sita had spent all her days in worshipping Rama in her mind. She had patiently withstood Ravana’s insults and threats\, the how lings of the demonesses and other humiliations. She waited long for Rama to come\, conquer Ravana and free her. \nRama won the battle and Ravana died but happiness eluded Sita. \nVibhishana brought Sita in a palanquin.Armies of Sugriva and Vibhishana stood in attendance. Sitadevi stepped down and going to Rama\, exclaimed: “Aryaputra!” She was so overcome with emotion that words failed her. \nRama told Sita: “Good woman\, you are now freed. As a matter of my duty I came to rescue you. It is not because of my passion towards you. You have been with the rakshasas for a year. I cannot accept you as my wife as before. You are now free. Go anywhere you like and live.” \nRama’s forest sojourn ended by then. He and others reached Ayodhya flying in ‘Pushpaka-vimana’. Bharata and the citizens accorded a grand welcome to Rama. Everybody was filled with happiness. All were talking about Sita. Already\, preparations for Rama’s coronation were complete. He was ceremonially crowned the king. \nThe Fire Ordeal. \nCan such a kind-hearted soul as Rama speak so cruelly? Sita could not believe her ears. “This is a great test for me. All right. If my husband rejects me\, why should I live? I will sacrifice this body- to Agni” -she decided and asked Lakshmana to prepare a fire. \nLakshmana became furious and stared at Rama. Sugriva and others stood shocked. Rama stood like a rock. With tears in his eyes\, Lakshmana prepared the fire. \nSita bowed to her husband and prayed: “0 Fire God Agni\, if I am pure\, unsullied and faithful to my husband\, protect me.” So saying\, she walked into the flames. All were shocked and the women present wailed. \nBut the fire subsided. God Agni stepped out carrying Sita. He told Rama: “She is absolutely pure. How can you suspect her?\nHere\, accept this pure and fine woman.” \nBugles blew\, flowers were showered on them. Rama then said\, “I know Sita is pure. Still\, I had to do this so that people should\nnot say something bad later.” He gladly welcomed Sita. \nOn occassion Lord Rama dressed himself like an ordinary person and began wandering within Ayodhya to understand what impression the citizens had of Him. By chance one night Rama heard a man talking to his wife who had gone to another man’s house. In the course of rebuking his wife\, the man spoke detrimentally about the character of Sita devi\, saying that he (the husband) is not like Rama who allows his wife to come back after staying at another’s house. Rama immediately returned home\, and fearing such rumours\, he externally decided to give up the company of Sita devi. He sent her away to the ‘ashrama’ of Valmiki Muni. Sita\, who was pregnant at the time\, later gave birth to twin sons named Lava and Kusa. \nLord Rama continued to perform many sacrifices during his ruling Ayodhya. At one such sacrifice\, some fifteen years later\, two boys came into the arena of the sacrifice while Rama was sitting on his ‘asana’. Valmiki had taught the boys the whole poem of the Ramayana and had put the story to a very beautiful and melodious ‘swara’\, tune. Valmiki\, accompanying the two boys\, asked Rama’s permission so the boys could recite his poem. Rama gave permission\, and the boys commenced in perfect unison. \nSri Ramacandra Bhagavan was deeply stirred by the depth of the knowledge of him and his pastime. Night after night the recital continued until it came to Sita’s abandonment to Valmiki’s ‘ashrama’. Rama was then convinced they were his very own sons born to Mother Sita. He sent word to Valmiki that he should come with Sita and vouch for her purity and faithfulness. If Sita was willing to come before the assembly and give proof of her innocence\, she could resume her rightful place at her Lord’s side.\nEveryone agreed and the next day Srimati Sitadevi came. Everyone was touched at the sight of her\, her head and eyes downcast\, tears running down her beautiful face\, her long hair chastely adorning her back. \niyam dasarathe sita suvrata dharmacarini\napapa te oparityakta mamasramasamipatah\nlakopavadabhitasya tava rama mahavarata\npratyayam dasyate sita tamanujnatumarhasi \nValmiki Muni respectfully approached Sri Rama saying\, “O son of Dasaratha\, here is your wife Sita. She has been staying in my ‘ashrama’ since you abandoned her\, performing austerities. She is completely without blame and is pure and innocent. Due to your position as King you played the part that you feared public opinion may be detrimental for you\, and so you have also performed severe austerities. However\, it is now proper that your impeccable wife be allowed to prove her own innocence.” (Valmiki Ramayana Uttara Khanda 7:87:14-15.) \nSita stood in silence\, her eyes transfixed on the ground without blinking. With folded hands she said\, “If Rama has always been foremost in my heart\, then may my Mother Earth (Bhumi) herself deliver me. If I have been only true to him\, wholly\, mind\, body and soul\, then may my Mother Earth deliver me. If I have loved none but him\, then let my Mother Earth deliver me.” \nAs she spoke\, the earth rumbled\, shook and cracked open where Sita stood. Srimati Bhumi devi (Mother Earth personified) then appeared\, seated on a throne of incredible natural earthly opulence\, surrounded by ‘nagas’ (snakes)\, and she invited Sita to take her seat along side her. \nSita\, entrusting her children to Valmiki\, ascended the throne supported by ‘nagas’ adorned with fiery eyes and jewels on their heads. There\, seated besides her mother\, Bhumi and Sita disappeared from sight. The earth closed up leaving not even so much as a furrow on the surface as thought nothing had happened. \nSripad Madhwacarya’s Mahabharata Tatparaynirnaya 9:40.\, he relates\, \npravisya bhumau sa devi loke drstyanusaratah\nreme ramenavi yukta bhaskarena prabha yatha \n“That beautiful Sita devi seemingly entered into the earth though actually she always remains with Lord Rama\, just as the sun’s rays are always with the sun.” \nRemembering Sri Rama\, true to his vow of ‘ekapatni’\, never accepted another woman other than Sita. Next to him on his ‘asana’ he kept a golden deity of Sitadevi for some time\, performing sacrifices for thirteen thousand years.\nAt the end of this period\, Agastya Muni and many demigods and sages approached the Lord and reminded him that his pastimes on earth had now been fulfilled and he should now return to Vaikuntha. Lord Rama performed ‘acaman’\, sipping water and reciting ‘mantras’\, once\, twice\, thrice\, then he resumed his form of Visnu\, for it is from that seat of Visnu that his pastimes became manifest.\n“Lord Ramacandra returned to his abode\, to which ‘bhakti yogis’ are promoted. This is the place to which all the inhabitants of Ayodhya went after they served the Lord in his manifest pastimes by offering him obeisance’s\, touching his lotus feet\, fully observing him as a father like king\, sitting or lying down with him like equals\, or even just accompanying him.”(Srimad Bhagavatam 9:11:22.)
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srimati-sita-devi-25th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T083957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T063900Z
UID:47882-1777075200-1777161599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Madhu Pandita 25th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Madhu Pandita\, a disciple of Sri Gadadhara Pandita\, established the temple of Gopinatha in Vrndavana\, India.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-sri-madhu-pandita-25th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T084326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T084326Z
UID:47884-1777075200-1777161599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srimati Jahnava Devi 25th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Jahnava Mata was the wife of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. Especially after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda\, she became a leading figure in the sankirtana movement.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srimati-jahnava-devi-25th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260427
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260428
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T084454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T084454Z
UID:47886-1777248000-1777334399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Mohini Ekadasi 27th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:The glories of Mohini Ekadasi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha are told in the Surya Purana.\nOnce Maharaja Yudhisthira asked Lord Krsna\, “O Janardana! Pray tell me\, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the waxing Moon in the month of Vaisakha (April/May.) Please describe unto me the most meritorious benefit one may receive by such observance. \nSri Krsna replied: “O most merciful King\, son of Dharma personified! Please hear Me attentively as I describe unto you the story that the great sage Vaisistha once told to Lord Ramacandra. \n“One time\, long ago Lord Ramacandra appealed to the sage Vasistha ‘O respected and knowledgeable sage\, I am feeling such separation from Sita devi and am therefore in the most honorific distress. She is the daughter of king Janaka and is appalling my mind with intense hankering. Please kindly explain to Me the great and merciful vow which I can follow and by which will mitigate all one’s sinful reactions and distresses. \n“The greatly realised sage Vasistha replied: My dear Rama\, Your intelligence is sharp and mixed with faith. Moreover\, your question is beneficial in a way hitherto unknown\, to all humanity. Just by chanting and remembering Your all auspicious qualities\, all living entities can become purified and eligible to achieve liberation. Still\, for the benefit of the public at large\, I will describe to You about a great vow. \n“O Lord Rama the Ekadasi that occurs during the waxing Moon in the month of Vaisakha is famously renowned as Mohini Ekadasi and is most beneficial to all. By following this Ekadasi all one’s sinful reactions are annihilated and one receives great purity of speech and mind. One’s network of illusion is vaporised\, and the grey veil of despair drifts away. Please hear attentively as I describe the topics regarding this wonderfully marvellous Ekadasi. \n“There was once an exquisitely beautiful city named Bhadravati\, situated on the banks of the sacred river Sarasvati\, which was ruled by a king named Dyutimana. O Lord Rama\, this king was born in the dynasty of Candra (the Moon) and he was tolerant and truthful; and wore a broad smile. There was a pious and prosperous devotee of Lord Visnu named Dhanapala who also lived in that city. He was a Vaisya (mercantile community) by profession. For the benefit of the ordinary people this devotee Dhanapala built many dharmashalas or guest houses\, schools\, temples of Lord Visnu\, charitable hospitals\, wide roads and market places. He also made arrangements for distributing water and foodstuffs. He dug wells for cool drinking water and ponds for clear water\, he also built gardens for flowers and fruits. In this way he properly utilized his wealth for the benefit of all and thus successfully demonstrated the true meaning of his name. \nThis pious devotee of Lord Visnu who was always peaceful\, tolerant\, determined and compassionate engaged in devotional service to Visnu\, had five sons named: Samana\, Dyutimana\, Medhavi\, Sukriti and Dhrstabuddhi. His son Dhrstabuddhi was most sinful. He was extremely wicked and ill natured\, always engaged in bad association and having illicit connection with unchaste women. He was also killing and torturing other living entities. In this way he engaged in all kinds of sinful activities. Although the son of a most chaste and fortunate father he squandered the wealth of his family and brought ill repute to his caste. He never showed respect to the demigods\, guests\, old forefathers or brahmanas. He was constantly engaged in thinking of committing sinful activities and thus lived a contemptible life. The sinful wretch misused all his fathers wealth in many useless activities. He always ate abominable foodstuffs and remained always absorbed in drinking wine. One day on seeing his shameless son walking in a public place with his hand on the shoulder of a prostitute\, Dhanapala became extremely hurt. On that very day he was degraded from his position in caste society and the pious community and became an object of hatred for everyone. \n “After being thrown out from his father’s house\, Dhrstabuddhi continued his sinful propensities with the money he received by selling his personal clothes and ornaments. Soon that also came to an end and gradually\, due to lack of sufficient food\, his body became weak and skinny. He was a most forlorn and presupposed wretch. On realising that he had become poor\, his so-called friends left him\, condemning him on various pretexts. \n “Dhrstabuddhi was now full of anxiety\, his words faltered and his mind was most horrifically agitated. He became afflicted with hunger. So he began to contemplate\, “What should I do now? Where should I go and by what means will I survive? After meditating in this way he decided there was no other means to earning his living but stealing.” So with a desire to steal he wandered throughout the city of Bhadravati. Sometimes the kings guard would arrest him and after careful consideration of his fathers greatness he would release him. After being caught and released in this way many times\, he was once again formally arrested for committing a special kind of theft. He was again taken to the King who awarded him severe punishment. The King said\, ‘O sinful foolish creature you cannot stay within this kingdom any more for you are the greatest sinner. I am releasing you for now\, but you must leave this city and go wherever you so desire.” \n“Dhrstabuddhi\, afraid of being punished again\, left the kingdom. He went far away and entered into a dense forest. There were creepers and vines\, tall trees and moss in the jungle-like forest. Within the forest he became so afflicted with hunger and thirst that he began to kill beasts and birds indiscriminately. For many years he wandered throughout the forest like a hunter\, holding a bow and arrows in his hands and killing innocent animals and engaging in sinful activities. \n“Dhrstabuddhi was always miserable and anxious\, but one day\, due to some past pious deeds\, he arrived at the sacred asrama of the great sage and ascetic known as Kaundinya. It was the month of Vaisakha (April/May) and the great sage Kaundinya was just returning home after taking bath in the Ganges. At that time by providence\, Dhrstabuddhi\, who was very aggrieved by distress and lamentation\, happened to touch a drop of water falling from the sage’s cloth. Dhrstabuddhi was immediately relieved of his sinful reactions. With folded hands and great humility he said to sage Kaundinya\, ‘O great brahmana\, I am the most sinful person. There is no sin that I have not committed. Now please instruct me about a topmost type of atonement which a wretched person like myself can easily perform. As a result of committing unlimited sinful activities till now I have been bereft of my house\, wealth\, relatives and friends. I am drowning in the ocean of mental agony.’ \n“After hearing these statements of Dhrstabuddhi the great sage Kaundinya\, feeling distress by seeing another’s distress\, said\, ‘I am telling you a sublime method by which all your sinful reactions can be easily refuted\, in a very short time; please hear me attentively. Mohini Ekadasi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha (April/May\,) totally destroys a mountain of sinful reactions as big as Mt. Sumeru\, which have been accumulated from many many lifetimes. Therefore you should faithfully observe this Ekadasi.” \n“Hearing these words from the great sage\, Dhrstabuddhi became joyful and properly observed that Ekadasi according to the rules and regulations instructed by the sage. O best of kings! By observing this Mohini Ekadasi the most sinful Dhrstabuddhi soon became devoid of all sinful reactions\, and after assuming a divine body he returned to the all-auspicious abode of Lord Visnu by riding on the back of Garuda. O Ramacandra! This vow certainly removes all kinds of illusion and the darkness of ignorance. Any piety accumulated by taking bath in the holy waters\, giving in charity and performance of sacrifice cannot be compared with the piety one attains by observing this Mohini Ekadasi
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/mohini-ekadasi-27th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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UID:47889-1777334400-1777420799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Rukmini Dvadasi 28th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Sri Rukhmini Dwadasi\, is observed as the birthday (the day Rukmini Devi appeared on earth) of Rukmini\, the consort of Lord Krishna. \nThe love story of Rukmini and Lord Krishna and their elopement is one of the most famous stories associated with Lord Krishna. Rukmini Dwadashi is observed on the twelfth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Vaisakh month (April – May). It is believed that those who offer worship prayers and pujas with flowers will have their wishes fulfilled. \nPrayers dedicated to Rukhmini Devi are held on the day at Lord Krishna Temples. Special pujas are held at the Dwarkadish Temple in Mathura on the day.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/rukmini-dvadasi-28th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260430
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CREATED:20260123T084709Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T063918Z
UID:47891-1777420800-1777507199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Jayananda Prabhu 29th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Jayananda Prabhu was a dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada’s who helped Srila Prabhupada introduce the Rathayatra festival in the United States.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-jayananda-prabhu-29th-april-2026/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming event
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260410T080929
CREATED:20260123T084858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T084858Z
UID:47893-1777507200-1777593599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Narasimha Caturdasi – Appearance of Lord Narasimhadeva 30th April 2026
DESCRIPTION:The appearance anniversary of Lord Narasimhadeva\, Lord Krishna’s incarnation as half-man\, half-lion. \ntava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-srngam\ndalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhrngam\nkeshava dhrta-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare \n“O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari\, who have assumed the form of half-man\, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails\, so in the same way the body of the wasp like demon Hiranyakashipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.” \n“The fourth incarnation is Nrisimhadeva. Nrisimhadeva appeared to save Prahlada Maharaja\, who was five-years-old boy and he was being tortured by his atheistic father. So He appeared from the pillar of the palace as a half-man\, half-lion. Because this Hiranyakasipu took benediction from Brahma that he’ll not be killed by any man or any animal. So the Lord appeared neither man nor animal. This is the difference between the Lord’s intelligence and our intelligence. We are thinking that we can cheat the Lord by our intelligence\, but the Lord is more intelligent than us. This Hiranyakasipu wanted to cheat Brahma by indirect definition. First of all he wanted to become immortal. Brahma said\, “That is not possible because even I am not immortal. Nobody in this material world is immortal. That is not possible.” So Hiranyakasipu\, the demon… The demons are very intelligent. He thought that “Round about way I shall become immortal.” He prayed to Brahma that “Please give me the benediction that I shall not be killed by any man or any animal.” Brahma said\, “Yes\, that is all right.” \n“I shall not be killed in the sky\, on the water or on land.” Brahma said\, “Oh yes.” “I shall not be killed by any man-made weapons.” “That’s all right.” In this way he utilized his intelligence in so many ways just to come to the conclusion of being immortal. But the Lord is so cunning that He kept intact all the benediction given by Brahma\, still he was killed. He said that “I’ll not be killed either during daytime or night.” Brahma said “Yes.” So he was killed just in the evening\, just in the junction of day and night. You cannot say it is day or night. He took the benediction that “I shall not be killed in the sky\, on the water\, on the land.” So he was killed on His lap. He took the benediction that “I shall not be killed by any man-made or any God-made weapons.” That was given\, “All right.” So he was killed by the nails. In this way\, all the benedictions were kept intact\, still he was killed. Similarly\, we may make plan\, we may make very advancement in scientific knowledge\, but the killing process of nature will be there. Nobody can escape. By our intelligence we cannot escape. The four principles of material existence means birth\, death\, old age and disease. We can manufacture many medicines\, many weapons\, many means\, many methods\, but you cannot escape these four principles of material existence\, however great you may be. That was proved by Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyakasipu was one of the stalwart materialistic and he wanted to live forever\, enjoy\, but he also could not live. Everything was finished” (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 18th February 1970. Class on Sri Varaha-dwadasi purporting the Dasavatar-stotra – Ten main incarnations of the Lor. Los Angeles.) \nLord Nrisimhadeva’s Appearance Day\nSrila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.22-34. Los Angeles\, May 27\, 1972\,\n720527SB.LA \nPrabhupada: So today\, appearance day of Lord Nrisimhadeva. Lord Nrisimhadeva appeared on this Nrisimha Caturdasi on account of His devotee\, Prahlada. As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita\, yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata\, abhyutthanam adharmasya [Bg. 4.7]. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca dushkritam\, sambhavami yuge yuge [Bg. 4.8]. The Lord appears with two purposes. Paritranaya sadhunam: just to give protection and rescue the devotees\, and to kill the demons\, vinasaya ca dushkritam. So Prahlada Maharaja\, five-years-old boy\, his only fault was that he was Krishna conscious. He was devotee of Krishna. That was his only fault. And the father was so unkind to a child\, even five years old. He could not excuse\, “Oh\, let this boy do whatever\, chanting Hare Krishna.” No. The demons are so much against God consciousness that even at his home he would not allow his own child to become God conscious. This is demoniac civili… So you’ll find many critics\, many enemies\, because you are making progress in Krishna consciousness. So the demons are always against this Krishna consciousness movement. That is the whole history. Just like Lord Jesus Christ\, he was crucified. What was his fault? He was preaching God consciousness\, that’s all. This society is so cruel. So Prahlada Maharaja was tortured in so many ways. The torturing methods\, I think you will find as you will see in today’s picture\, how Prahlada Maharaja was tortured.\nSo one day\, Hiranyakasipu… After all\, he was his son. Affection was there. So one day\, Hiranyakasipu asked the boy\, \nprahradanucyatam tata\nsvadhitam kincid uttamam\nkalenaitavatayushman\nyad asikshad guror bhavan\n[SB 7.5.22] \nSo he asked his son\, “My dear son\, what you have learned? The best thing\, what you have learned from your teachers\, so you kindly let me know.” So Prahlada Maharaja informed that “I have learned like this.” What is that? \nsravanam kirtanam vishnoh\nsmaranam pada-sevanam\narcanam vandanam dasyam\nsakhyam atma-nivedanam  \niti pumsarpita vishnau\nbhaktis cen nava-lakshana\nkriyeta bhagavaty addha\ntan manye ’dhitam uttamam\n[SB 7.5.23-24] \nTan manye ’dhitam uttamam: one who is engaged in the matter of hearing about Vishnu\, sravanam kirtanamvishnoh. We are engaged in hearing and talking and chanting about so many things non-Vishnu. Just like you’ll find thousands of\, millions of different types of magazines sold in your country\, in all countries. Some of the magazines are sex literature\, some cinema literature\, some this literature\, that… So many different types. There is one paper I have seen\, “Diabetes Literature.” There are many patients of diabetes\, so they have formed a society\, “Diabetic Society.” I have seen it. (laughter) And there are many diabetic patients\, they are being hoaxed\, that “You pay two dollars per year\, and you get all information how to protect yourself from diabetes disease.” So in America two dollars is nothing\, but it is collecting millions and millions of dollars\, Diabetic Society. Diabetic magazine. So that sort of hearing and chanting is not needed. We are not interested in all these magazines\, because we are followers of Prahlada Maharaja. He’s our acarya. He’s guru. Prahlada Maharaja’s guru is Narada\, and Narada is also our guru. Narada is guru of Vyasadeva. So we are a branch\, but the original guru is Narada\, Brahma-sampradaya. So Prahlada Maharaja is also a disciple of Narada Muni. So he teaches that sravanam kirtanam vishnoh [SB 7.5.23]. \nWe have to hear and talk and chant about Vishnu. Sravanam kirtanam vishnoh smaranam pada-sevanam. To remember Him always\, to worship His lotus feet\, pada-sevanam. Arcanam\, temple worship\, to keep the Deity nicely worshiped\, offer foodstuff\, arati\, this is called arcanam. Vandanam\, offering prayers. Just like we offer prayer\, govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami **. These are prayers. There are so many prayers. Kesava-dhrita buddha-sarira\, keshava-dhrita narahari-rupa. These are all prayers. This is also part of devotional service. \nsravanam kirtanam vishnoh\nsmaranam pada-sevanam\narcanam vandanam dasyam\nsakhyam…\n[SB 7.5.23] \nArcanam vandanam dasyam. To be always in service of the Lord\, dasyam; sakhyam\, to make friendship with Him\, to consider Krishna as your friend. He says… Even if I do not say that He’s my friend\, He says\, “I am friend of everyone.” Suhridam sarva-bhutanam [Bg. 5.29]. He’s friend of everyone. We don’t want His friendship\, but He wants our friendship. He wants us to go back to home\, Godhead; we don’t want. So He is more anxious to take us\, exactly like the father is more affectionate than the son. That’s a fact. So He’s the supreme father. So He wants that we may be happy\, and therefore He comes to show us. He sends His representative\, son. He leaves behind Him books so that we may go back to home\, back to Godhead. So\, sakhyam. He’s always sitting with me\, within my heart. I am in the heart\, and Paramatma is also within the heart as friend to give me advice that “Why you are bothering in this material world? Please come back to home\, back to Me.” This is going on. Sakhyam atma-nivedanam. Atma-nivedanam means fully surrendered. So there are examples of devotees who\, sarvatma-nivedanam. Just like Bali Maharaja. He gave everything to Krishna\, even his body\, everything\, whatever\, his kingdom\, money\, everything. \nSo Prahlada Maharaja says\, iti pumsarpita vishnau bhaktis cen nava-lakshana. All these items means hearing. Hearing about Vishnu\, chanting about Krishna\, giving everything to Vishnu\, offering prayers to Vishnu\, offering arcana\, temple worship\, Vishnu. In this way Prahlada Maharaja summarizes that “Anyone who is doing like this\, everything about Vishnu…” iti pumsarpita vishnau bhaktis cen nava-lakshana\, “this nine kinds of different devotional services\,” kriyeta bhagavatay addha\, “directly to the Supreme Personality of Godhead\,” tan manye ’dhitam uttamam\, “I think he is the best learned man in the world. He is the most learned.” Tan manye ’dhitam. “He has studied everything very nicely.” Actually\, that is the fact. Jnana\, knowledge Knowledge means to know Krishna\, God\, and the Vedic injunction is\, yasmin vijnate sarvam evam vijnatam bhavanti. If you understand the Supreme Lord\, then you understand everything. You haven’t got to study differently different subject matters. Just like we sometimes talk of science\, of astronomy\, economics\, politics. We talk sometimes. But we are not going to\, or we didn’t study all the subject matter separately. But in course of our studying Krishna consciousness\, we know something of everything. So Prahlada Maharaja says\, tan manye adhitam uttamam: “One who is engaged in these nine kinds of devotional services directly…” So Prahlada Maharaja recommends\, kriyeta bhagavaty addha tan manye ’dhitam uttamam. \nnisamyaitat suta-vaco\nhiranyakasipus tada\nguru-putram cedam rusha\nprasphuritadharah \nAs soon as he heard\, “Oh\, what this nonsense boy is speaking?” he became so angry that sphuritadharah. When one becomes angry\, his lips vi…\, I mean to say\, jumps. What is called? Quiver\, yes. So he became so angry that it is said\, sphuritadharah. (He) immediately called his teacher. He’s king… Because he thought\, “The rascal teachers\, they have taught him like this. I have entrusted the boy to the teachers\, to brahmanas\, and they have taught this Krishna consciousness. So call him. Otherwise\, how is that this small boy\, five years old only\, he’s talking just like a great saint? So call his teacher!” \nbrahma-bandho kim etat\nte vipaksham srayatasata\nasaram grahito balo\nmam anadritya durmate \nHiranyakasipu became bitterest enemy of Vishnu because his brother Hiranyaksha\, he was killed by Vishnu taking the shape of Varaha. You know the story. Since then\, Hiranyakasipu was bitterest enemy. “Oh\, He has\, Vishnu has killed my brother. So He is my greatest enemy.” So he won’t hear anything about Vishnu. Any Vishnu devotee\, he will punish him\, even his own son. That was his policy. So he immediately called him\, the teachers\, and addressed him\, \nbrahma-bandho kim etat te\nvipaksham srayatasata\nasaram grahito balo\nmam anadritya durmate \nSo here… Teachers are generally brahmanas. Not generally. To become teacher is the business of the brahmanas. Brahmana means they have got six kinds of… Everyone must have livelihood. This material world is that you must work; otherwise you cannot get your livelihood. That is the law\, whatever you may be. So the brahmanas’ means of livelihood\, six things: pathana pathana yajana yajana dana pratigraha. Pathana means he must be a very learned scholar\, study the Vedic literature\, and must teach others also. That is brahmana’s business. And in that way\, whatever the disciples bring\, that is his income. No salary\, no contract\, that “If you pay me hundred dollars or five hundred dollars weekly\, then I can teach you.” No. There is no such contract. \nTeaching is free. It is the business of a brahmana to give free education to everyone. Now\, it is the… Just like in our institution\, I am your teacher\, but there is no such contract that you have to pay me. But you pay me more than anything. So pathana pathana\, that is the means of livelihood of brahmana. And kshatriya\, they are kings. They can levy tax of the citizens because they are giving protection from being hurt by others. Kshatriya means one who gives protection (to) a man being hurt by others. That is the real root meaning. Kshatriya. And vaisya means they should\, krishi-gorakshya-vanijyam\, they should engage themselves in producing foodstuff\, foodgrains\, krishi\, protect cows. Especially gorakshya. As the king is meant for giving protection to the man\, similarly\, a vaisya is supposed to give protection to the cows\, or they keep cows and produce milk products. They are vaisya. And sudra\, simply service. So these are the different types of employment of different kinds of social order. And a king\, the king has to see that everyone is employed. Not that hundreds of people are unemployed\, and government has to give welfare\, subsidy. Not like that. The king’s duty is that everyone is independently earning his livelihood. That is king’s duty. \nSo here the teachers are addressed here brahma-bandho. Brahma-bandho means a person who is born by a brahmana father but is not acting as a brahmana. He’s called brahma-bandho\, dvija-bandhu. Dvija-bandhu\, one who is born of a\, actually born of a brahmana father\, but he’s not acting as a brahmana. So Hiranyakasipu addressed the teachers brahma-bandho\, not brahmana. “Because you are untrustworthy. I gave you\, I entrusted you with my son to be taught\, and you have taught him this Krishna consciousness. So against my will…” He says practically\, brahma-bandho kim etat te vipaksham srayatasata: “I entrusted my child for being educated by you\, and you have instigated him to speak in favor of my enemy\, Vishnu? Vishnu is my enemy. How is that?” Asaram grahito balo mam anadritya durmate. “This rascal boy\, he does not care for me\, and he has learned this Krishna consciousness\, and you have taught him. How is that?” \nsanti hy asadhavo loke\ndurmaitras chadma-vesinah\ntesham udety agham kale\nrogah patakinam iva \n“So I think these demigods who are followers of Vishnu\, they are coming in disguise and poisoning my son by teaching Krishna consciousness\, and you did not take care of him. So what is this?” Then the teachers replied\, \nna mat-pranitam na para-pranitam\nsuto vadaty esha tavendra-satro\nnaisargikiyam matir asya rajan\nniyaccha manyum kad adah sma ma nah \nThey said\, “My dear King\, don’t think we have taught him like this. It is not… I know\, it is not our duty to teach him against your will. But his Krishna consciousness is not due to our teaching; neither somebody is coming in disguise and teaching him.” Na mat-pranitam na para-pranitam. “He is neither taught by us\, nor by anyone else.” Suto vadaty esha tavendra-satro. Indra-satro. The enemy… The Hiranyakasipu is the enemy of the demigods; therefore he is addressed as Indra-satro. As he addressed the brahmana\, brahma-bandho\, so they retaliated also\, that “You are enemy of the demigods.” Naisargikiyam\, “By nature he is doing that. We try to forbid him. We try to stop him chanting Hare Krishna\, but still he’s doing.” Matir asya rajan niyaccha manyum kad adah sma ma. “You don’t be angry upon us. We never did it.” So… “He is\, by his own nature he chants\, he preaches\, he’s doing all this.” \ngurunaivam pratiprokto\nbhuya ahasurah sutam\nna ced guru-mukhiyam te\nkuto ’bhadrasati matih \nThen he again asked his son\, “Now I understand that your teacher has not taught you all these things. You rascal\, where you have learned all this Krishna consciousness?” (laughter) Abhadra. Kuto abhadrasati matih: “Wherefrom you got this rascal wisdom? Tell me.” So this is the position\, you see. Even father becomes enemy. Now\, Prahlada Maharaja is replying. Prahlada Maharaja is replying\, \nmatir na krishne paratah svato va\nmitho ’bhipadyeta griha-vratanam\nadanta-gobhir visatam tamisram\npunah punas carvita-carvananam\n[SB 7.5.30] \n“My dear father\, don’t be afraid. It is not a thing to be taught.” Matir na krishne. “Nobody can become Krishna conscious\,” matir na krishne parato\, “being taught by others\,” matir na krishne paratah svato va\, “or by mental speculation or thinking oneself\,” mitho ’bhipadyeta\, “or by making conference meeting\, religious meeting\, conference.” No. Three things. One thing is to learn Krishna consciousness by speculative method\, self-realization. Just like so many people are very much interested that “Why shall I go to a guru? I can realize myself. I shall meditate.” So that is called svatah. And paratah means by others’ instruction. And mitho\, mitho means by assembly. So who? Now\, griha-vratanam. If one is griha-vrata… There are two things: grihastha and griha-vrata\, or grihamedhi. “So those who are griha-vrata…” because he is pointing out his father’s position\, that he’s griha-vrata. He has no other business. He simply wants to get money\, hiranya. Hiranya means gold\, and kasipu\, a nice apartment. That’s all. So he says that griha-vratanam\, “If one makes it his point to remain in a comfortable home life\, for him\, either by speculation or by teaching or by meeting\, he’ll never develop Krishna consciousness.” Griha-vratanam. Then what is their position? Now\, adanta-gobhir visatam tamishram: “They are unable to control their senses\, and as such\, they are entering into the darkest region of material existence.” Punah punas carvita-carvananam: [SB 7.5.30] “Their only business is chewing the chewed.” They have no other ways. Griha-vratanam\, those who want to be happy materially\, actually they are chewing the chewed. Material happiness means sex life\, ultimate\, utmost\, topmost happiness. So people are simply trying to\, how to utilize this sex life in so many ways\, in pictures and in… I do not wish to discuss. In dancing\, in club\, in so many ways. Because they cannot control the senses. The same thing\, same thing\, the same sex life in different way. Sometimes a naked dance\, sometimes in this way\, sometimes in that way. \nTherefore it is called punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]. I have heard that some people go to Florida and they spend fifty thousand dollars per week for organizing naked dance. So naked woman he has seen so many times\, but still he spends more money to see it in a different way. That is called punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]\, “chewing the chewed.” So persons who are too much attached to sense gratification\, and they have made it their conclusion that “We shall be happy within our family life or this social life…” Vidyapati sings\, tatala saikate vari-bindu sama suto-mita-ramani-samaj(?). Our society means… Society\, friendship\, and love. There must be woman\, must be children\, suto-mita-ramani-samaje. So there is some pleasure\, undoubtedly. Otherwise\, why people are working so hard to stick to this position? Vidyapati sings that tatala saikate vari-bindu sama suto-mita-ramani-samaj(?). There is undoubtedly some pleasure\, but that pleasure is so insignificant that it can be compared: a drop of water on the desert. Desert\, if you want to utilize desert to make it a garden or productive field\, you have to pour water. The whole ocean water you have to pour there. Now\, if somebody says\, “All right\, you want water. Now take this one drop water\,” then what it will do? Similarly\, our heart is hankering after so many things. We are hankering… Actually we are hankering after Krishna\, but we do not know. We are trying to satisfy our hankering in so many ways in material life. Actually we are hankering after Krishna. Just like a small child\, it is crying. It cannot express\, but it is wanting the mother’s breast feeding. So you cannot stop him crying unless it is transferred to the mother. Similarly\, actually we love Krishna. That is a fact. Because we love Krishna… Therefore you\, who did not hear even the name of Krishna\, say\, four or five years ago\, why you after so much Krishna? This is the proof\, that actually we are after Krishna. This Krishna consciousness movement is being accepted in Western countries by the younger generation. Why? Because every one of us\, we love Krishna. But it is now covered by maya. We have to simply take out the covering\, maya; then we are Krishna conscious.\nThat is explained in the Caitanya-caritamrita\, \nnitya-siddha krishna-bhakti ‘sadhya’ kabhu naya\nsravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya \nThat Krishna consciousness is not an artificial thing\, that we are making some propaganda on Krishna consciousness\, publishing some books\, magazines\, and our preachers are going place to place. No\, there are so many propaganda is going on. But they are not so effective. And our\, what means we have got to make propaganda? We simply make this propaganda\, “Please chant Hare Krishna.” That’s all. Of course\, we do sincerely. So if we propagate sincerely and seriously\, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu has ordered\, yare dekha\, tare kaha ‘krishna’ upadesa… [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. We must be sincere. Then\, if we canvass\, “Please chant Hare Krishna\,” it will be effective. It will be effective. The business is not very serious or very difficult. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says\, yare dekha\, tare kaha ‘krishna’… “Anyone you meet\, you simply request him about hearing about Krishna.” So… But if one is so much covered by materialistic enjoyment\, it takes little time. It takes little time. Otherwise\, automatically there is love for Krishna\, and sravanadi-suddha-citte… \nTherefore Prahlada Maharaja says\, sravanam. If we hear about Krishna constantly\, through realized souls\, not professional—if we hear\, satam prasangan mama virya-samvido [SB 3.25.25]—then automatically\, our dormant Krishna consciousness come out. So Prahlada Maharaja says\, therefore\, that “Those who are determined to become happy within this material world\, they cannot be raised to Krishna consciousness either by personal teaching or by making conference or by mental speculation.” That is not possible\, because he is determined. So our duty is that we should know that in the materialistic way of life we shall never be happy. This is called knowledge. And vairagya. So this vairagya and knowledge is not so easy. Prahlada Maharaja says\, adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram: it is not possible. That means he assures his father\, “Don’t be worried. You will never be Krishna conscious. (laughter) Because your only aim is to stick to home and money and women. Therefore rest assured\, you’ll not be … It is not that a person like you will be raised to Krishna consciousness.” Then? How you have done? The next question should be: Why they are sticking to this materialistic way of life? That is answered by Prahlada\, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum [SB 7.5.31]. “These persons\, those who are so much materially attached\, they do not know the ultimate goal of life is Vishnu\, the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, Vishnu.” That is actually the ultimate goal of life. We are here in this material world\, forgetting Krishna\, to enjoy\, to lord it over the material nature. Everyone is trying to become the lord\, master of material… That is struggle. Nobody can become lord or master of this material world. But that struggle to become master\, they are taking it happiness. They are taking it happiness. That is the nature of persons who are influenced by the modes of passion. They’ll work hard\, and that will\, they will take it is very good\, pleasing. Because they do not know that the… Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. They are hoping against hope to become happy within this material world. That is the whole history. Take the history\, any history\, modern history. There are so many empires: the Roman Empire\, the Carthaginian Empire\, the Greek Empire\, the British Empire recently\, Hitler’s Nazism\, and so many. For some time they become very powerful. Just like Hiranyakasipu\, he’s now very powerful. He’s thinking\, “Nobody can…” Now today he’ll be killed. Kesava-dhrita narahari rupa is coming. So this demonic civilization will never be successful. That’s a fact. But they are so fool\, they do not see even historical evidences. So many empires failed. The Roman Empire failed\, the British Empire failed. Still\, somebody is trying to create another empire\, another\, different empire. Just like your President Nixon\, he’s trying to influence all other nations under his control. Why? Of course\, I should not speak all these things. There may be criticism. But that is the way\, going on. That is the way. We can understand. We can understand politics\, economics\, everything\, but we do not bother about. But our aim is that this way of life\, to increase materially happiness\, it will never be successful. That is our conclusion. We are not fools that we have given up everything for advance in Krishna consciousness. Because we know that this\, this way we shall never be happy. It is not possible. That is explained by Prahlada Maharaja. These rascal people who are so much materially attached… Krishna also says in the Bhagavad-gita\, \nbhogaisvarya-prasaktanam\ntayapahrita-cetasam\nvyavasayatmika buddhih\nsamadhau na nigacchati\n[Bg. 2.44] \nThose who are too much attached\, bhoga\, material enjoyment\, aisvarya\, material opulence … Bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam tayapahrita-cetasam. Persons whose heart has been misled by this kind of civilization\, they cannot take to Krishna consciousness. Therefore to become too much materially opulent is a disqualification for attaining Krishna consciousness. It is a disqualification. Because they don’t care. Just like in our temple\, not very rich men\, they are coming\, because they (say\,) “What is this nonsense\, Krishna consciousness? We have got everything. These boys\, they haven’t got to eat anything; therefore they are chanting Hare Krishna on the street. That’s all.” They think like that. “They’re needy. All right\, they are needy. Give them some money.” That’s all. They don’t like to take anything from us because the same business\, matir na krishne paratah svato va. They’ll never understand\, because their aim is grha-vratanam. They want to be happy… Although they are seeing there is no happiness\, they never can be happy\, still… This is called punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]\, chewing the chewed. One\, the sugarcane\, is chewed by somebody. It is thrown away. And if somebody else comes and chew it again\, what juice he will have it? So punah punas carvita… Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum [SB 7.5.31]. Durasaya ye durasaya vishaya vasi (reads Sanskrit commentary) tantraya karanam te hi vishnum na viduh. Tatra hetu svasminn eva arthe purushartha yesham tesham gatim gramyam. Na tu te ’pi guru pati syat vishnu jnasyasi tatra bhak bahir vishaye bahavo yesham te bahir arthas tann eva guru tena mantra silam yesham te. \nSo one who is fixed up in this conclusion\, that “We shall become happy with this materialistic way of life\,” they cannot take to Krishna consciousness. And they do not know also that our ultimate goal of life is Krishna\, Vishnu. Then why it is so? Now\, andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te ’pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah. They have become blind. They are blind themselves\, and they are also led by blind leaders. The leaders\, at the present moment\, leaders\, they say that “Why you are going to church? Why you are going to temple? If you want your bread…” Just like in Christian religion you go to church\, “O God\, give us our daily bread.” But the atheist class\, they are propagating\, “For bread\, why you are going to church? You make industry\, you make business\, and you get bread.” But actually… We were just talking that there are so many unemployment. Our Karandhara prabhu was… No. Who was talking? Syamasundara. Syamasundara said that the computer… What is called\, computer? It can do thousands of men’s business. So they have discovered this machine. That means thousands of men will be unemployed. That is actually happening in your country due to so many machines. Now\, take for example\, formerly… You have seen the picture\, Krishna\, Vrindavana picture\, Krishna’s father transferring Krishna. They were going on bullock carts\, no motorcar. You have seen the picture. So formerly\, transport was bullock carts. The cows and the bulls\, the bulls were employed for agricultural purpose\, for drawing the carts. So there was no necessity of motorcar. Now you have got motor\, motor-tractor. You don’t want the bullocks. Therefore kill them. How you can utilize them? Therefore you must have slaughterhouse to kill them. And as soon as you kill them\, then you have to eat them. So this is the\, I mean to say\, entanglement. If you kill\, then you become responsible for being killed. The subtle laws… \nTherefore\, without knowing our ultimate goal of life is Vishnu\, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum… [SB 7.5.31]. That is our interest. The human form of life is offered by nature after so much evolutionary process. Just to understand Vishnu\, God\, this is the only business. But instead of attending our real business\, we are trying to be happy in other ways. Then you can say that “If we are engaged in real business\, then how the economic question will be solved? We have to work.” That’s all right\, you work. But work simple. Why you have invented so much botheration? Work is there. If you have cows and if you have got land\, then you till the land\, get grains\, and there is milk\, there is fruit\, there is flower. Anywhere\, you can live peacefully. Whole economic question is solved. And because we have forgotten\, we have missed the real point\, that our life is meant for God-realization. We are simply increasing botheration. Punah punas carvita. Adanta-gobhir vishatam tamisram. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanah. The leaders are blind; we are also blind. So they are advising that “If you want to solve your economic problem\, why you are going to church? Why you are going to temple? Come here\, increase business\, industry. Take loan and start business.” That’s all. This is going on. But actually\, the more we are trying to mislead this people… Because they are thinking it is all right. They are… That the social condition is becoming more and more grave. That’s a fact. We are trying to solve one problem\, but many other problems are coming because we do not know what is the ultimate goal of life. Because we are missing the real point. \nTherefore Prahlada Maharaja said\, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. These rascals\, they are thinking that by so-called economic development\, by exploiting material resources\, we shall be happy. That is not possible. The best example your country has given. You have exploited the material resources\, and other countries are also following\, but where is the happiness? Instead of happiness\, there is “hippyness.” (laughter) So still\, they have no eyes to see that “Where we are going?” Adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]. Because we cannot control our senses\, we are driving\, we are being pushed towards the darkest region of material existence\, very hard to leave. Darkest region means that we are going to become animals next life. Because this is animalistic civilization. Nature gave us the opportunity to realize God\, but God-realization is meant for human being. The human being\, if he does not realize God\, he’s simply engaged in animalistic way of life—eating\, sleeping\, mating—then nature will call\, “All right\, sir\, again become animal.” Punar mushiko bhava: “Again become a mouse.” You know this story? Punar mushiko bhava. There is a story. There is a very nice story. One rat\, mouse\, he came to a saintly person. Everyone comes to saintly person for some blessing\, you see. Real blessing they don’t want. Some material blessing. Real blessing\, Krishna\, they don’t want. If you give him some blessing that “You become very rich man and…” These are all very well\, this. So this mouse also came and begged the saintly person\, “Sir\, I am in difficulty. If you give me some blessing?” \n“What is that?”\n“The cat chases after me always. I’m very unhappy.”\n“So what do you want?”\n“Now\, if you make me a cat\, then I can get relief from this thing.”\n“All right\, you become cat.” So he became cat.\nSo after few days\, again he comes. “Sir\, again I am in trouble.”\n“What is that?”\n“The dog is chasing me.” (laughter) Don’t laugh\, hear seriously. “Dog is chasing me.”\n“All right\, then\, what do you want?”\n“Now\, make me a tiger.”\n“All right\, you become a tiger.”\nSo when he became a tiger he was staring on the saintly person like this.\nSo he asked\, “Why you are staring upon me? You want to eat me?”\n“Yes.”\nSo he again curses\, punar mushiko bhava: “Again you become mouse. Again you become mouse.” \nSo that is our position. We are advanced in civilization. Now we want to kill God. So we are again going to be uncivilized\, to remain in the forest and to remain naked. Actually\, they are practicing that: nature’s way. So again they are going to be aborigines. And that is being practiced. They are going to the forest\, they remain naked. So actually\, punar mushiko bhava: “Again become mouse.” Civilized human being means God conscious\, happy life\, no trouble\, no enviousness\, everything happy\, no hard labor. Why hard labor? Everything is there. You just employ your little intelligence\, you get sufficient food by grains\, by fruits\, by flowers\, milk. There is no difficulty if we remain in our own way. So that is the difficulty\, that we do not know that our ultimate goal of life is God-realization. Then God has got all arrangement. You cannot produce fruits and grains in factory. They are given by God. Why? That “You eat them and be Krishna conscious\, chant Hare Krishna.” But we don’t want that. We want slaughterhouse\, unnecessarily. Actually\, if you go to the store… There are so many stores. How many stores are selling only meat? It is not possible. Ninety-nine percent fruits\, vegetables\, grains you are taking\, and maybe a little percentage of meat. So why you cannot give up this little percentage? If you think that meat is very palatable\, why don’t you live on meat? Russia is also trying like that. That has become the fashion. In Moscow\, it was very difficult to find out nice grains. With great difficulty Syamasundara used to spend two hours daily to secure these things. \nSo this is the problem. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum durashsaya ye bahir-artha maninah [SB 7.5.31]. They are trying to be happy by the arrangement of these material activities. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te ’pisa-tantryam. They do not know that the material nature is so strong that you cannot get out of it unless you are prepared to suffer more and more. If you take to natural life and live peacefully and take to Krishna consciousness\, that is your real life. And if you simply increase botheration and problems\, then you’ll have to suffer. That is the position of modern civilization. Actually\, superficially we see that material advancement of material science\, people have got so many machines\, so many facilities. But actually\, they are in trouble. Just like I gave you one example: the computer machine. It can work for thousands of men. So thousands of men means the thousands of men must be unemployed. And especially in your country\, they are taking advantage of this machine because the salary is If you want to pay to the worker\, a big\, big salary. So they want to save. They are taking machine\, and they think they will save money\, so many workers. But the workers are becoming unemployed. The government has to give them welfare. The government will tax. That’s all. (laughter.) Government will not give money\, welfare\, from government’s pocket. The government will increase your taxation. So you are…\, you stop payment by importing some machine\, now you have to pay that money to the government. This is called entanglement. This is a crude example. I don’t say that you stop all this business\, but the material world is like that. You want to solve something; instead of solving\, you’ll create so many problems. This is material life. Because our life is not meant for solving problems and creating problems. Our life is meant for understanding God. Then everything is all right. But that you have given up. \nna te viduh svartha-gatim hi vishnum\ndurasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah\nandha yathandhair upaniyamanas\nte ’pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah \nThey do not know that you cannot go an inch beyond the stringent laws of material nature. That is not possible.\nThen the next question is that how… People are not interested in Krishna consciousness\, and then\, they are misled by blind leaders. So how\, what is the solution? That is Prahlada Maharaja saying\, \nnaisham matis tavad urukramanghrim\nsprisaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah\nmahiyasam pada-rajo-’bhishekam\nnishkincananam na vrinita yavat \nTherefore one has to take shelter of a pure devotee. That is the only solution. He says\, naisham matis tavad urukramangrhim. The beginning was that “They are not interested in Krishna consciousness.” Then how to become Krishna conscious if that is the solution? Then Prahlada Maharaja says\, naisham matis tavad: “So long one does not approach a pure devotee\,” mahiyasam nishkincananam\, “great personalities\, who has no more any material interest\,” nishkincana\, “and takes the dust of his lotus feet on the head…” Naisham matis tavad urukramanghrim: “So long one does not approach such personality\, there is no possibility of becoming Krishna conscious.” Naisham matis tavad urukramanghrim. As soon as one approaches the pure devotee and takes the dust of his lotus feet and puts it on his head\, immediately\, anartha apagamah\, he’ll be freed from all this nonsense. That means he’ll forget this idea that “Materially we can advance.” This is the process. So we have to approach a nishkincana\, who has nothing to do with this material world. His only ambition is to serve more Krishna. And if somebody approaches him and takes the dust of his lotus feet\, then he can understand. Mahiyasam pada-rajo-’bhishekam nishkincananam na vrinita yavat. (aside:) Our time is over? All right. \nSo in this way Prahlada Maharaja talked with his father\, and the father became more angry. Instead of taking the lesson … Murkhaya upadesa hi prakopaya na santaye. If you teach lesson to a foolish person\, he’ll be simply angry. He’ll not take your lesson. How it is so? Payah-panam bhujanganam kevalam visha-vardhanam. If you keep a snake and if you want to make friendly behavior with him\, that\, “My dear snake\, don’t bite any more. I’ll give you milk and banana. You eat here and stay here nicely\,” he’ll not… His poison will increase\, and one day he will… There is a story in the Hitopadesa: one day\, one… The same thing. So payah-panam bhujanganam kevalam visha-vardhanam. So these are lessons\, stories. So his father\, Hiranyakasipu\, became more and more angry. So one day… Because after all\, son and father… The son was simple boy. So one day he said\, “Prahlada\, I shall now kill you. I shall see how your Krishna saves you.” So immediately\, Prahlada was seeing to the pillars of the hall. He was king. So Hiranyakasipu asked him\, “Is your God\, Krishna\, in the pillar?” He said\, “Yes\, sir. Yes\, my father\, He is there.” So immediately\, with anger he broke the pillar and Nrisimhadeva came out.\nNow we can honor Him. (end) \n(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.22-34. Los Angeles\, May 27\, 1972. ) \nSrila Rupa Goswami mentions some of the benefits of worshipping a Nrsimha shalagram sila in his book\, Padyavali: \n“A tulasi leaf offered to the lotus feet of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of murder. Water that has washed the lotus feet of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of theft. Foodstuff offered to the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of drinking liquor. Sincere surrender to the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of adultery with the wife of the spiritual master. Association with the devotees of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of offenses to the devotees. This is the extraordinary glory of the Nrsimha shalagram sila.”
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