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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241103
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SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Vasudeva Ghosh 3rd Nov 2024
DESCRIPTION:Vasudeva Ghosh\, an intimate associate of Lord Caitanya\, was known for his kirtana. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta says that when Vasudeva Ghosh led kirtana\, even wood and stone would melt upon hearing it.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-sri-vasudeva-ghosh-3rd-nov-2024/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241102
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241103
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SUMMARY:Govardhana Puja\, Go Puja\, or Go-krda 2nd Nov 2024
DESCRIPTION:Worshiping Govardhana Hill \nKRSNA BOOK CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR\nby His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada\n \nWhile engaged with the brahmanas who were too much involved in the performance of Vedic sacrifices\, Krishna and Balarama also saw that the cowherd men were preparing a similar sacrifice in order to pacify Indra\, the King of heaven\, who is responsible for supplying water.As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrita\, a devotee of Krishna has strong and firm faith in the understanding that if he is simply engaged in Krishna consciousness and Krishna’s transcendental loving service\, then he is freed from all other obligations. A pure devotee of Lord Krishna doesn’t have to perform any of the ritualistic functions enjoined in the Vedas; nor is he required to worship any demigods. Being a devotee of Lord Krishna\, one is understood to have performed all kinds of Vedic rituals and all kinds of worship to the demigods. One does not develop devotional service for Krishna by performing the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or worshiping the demigods\, but it should be understood that one who is engaged fully in the service of the Lord has already fulfilled all Vedic injunctions. \nIn order to stop all such activities by His devotees\, Krishna wanted to firmly establish exclusive devotional service during His presence in Vrindavana. Because He is the omniscient Personality of Godhead\, Krishna knew that the cowherd men were preparing for the Indra sacrifice\, but as a matter of etiquette He began to inquire with great honor and submission from elder personalities like Maharaja Nanda.\n \nKrishna asked His father\, “My dear father\, what is this arrangement going on for a great sacrifice? What is the result of such a sacrifice\, and for whom is it meant? How is it performed? Will you kindly let Me know? I am very eager to know this procedure\, so please explain to Me the purpose of this sacrifice.” Upon this inquiry\, His father\, Nanda Maharaja\, remained silent\, thinking that his young boy would not be able to understand the intricacies of performing the yajna. Krishna\, however\, persisted: “My dear father\, for those who are liberal and saintly\, there is no secrecy. They do not think anyone to be a friend\, an enemy or a neutral party\, because they are always open to everyone. And even for those who are not so liberal\, nothing should be kept secret from the family members and friends\, although secrecy may be maintained for persons who are inimical. Therefore you cannot keep any secrets from Me. All persons are engaged in fruitive activities. Some know what these activities are\, and they know the result\, and some execute activities without knowing the purpose or the result. A person who acts with full knowledge gets the full result; one who acts without knowledge does not get such a perfect result. Therefore\, please let Me know the purpose of the sacrifice you are going to perform. Is it according to Vedic injunction? Or is it simply a popular ceremony? Kindly let Me know in detail about the sacrifice.”\n \nOn hearing this inquiry from Krishna\, Maharaja Nanda replied\, “My dear boy\, this ceremonial performance is more or less traditional. Because rainfall is due to the mercy of King Indra and the clouds are his representatives\, and because water is so important for our living\, we must show some gratitude to the controller of this rainfall\, Maharaja Indra. We are arranging\, therefore\, to pacify King Indra\, because he has very kindly sent us clouds to pour down a sufficient quantity of rain for successful agricultural activities. Water is very important: without rainfall we cannot farm or produce grain\, and without grain we cannot live. Therefore rain is necessary for successful religious ceremonies\, economic development and\, ultimately\, liberation. So we should not give up this traditional ceremonial function; if one gives it up\, being influenced by lust\, greed or fear\, then it does not look very good for him.”\n \nAfter hearing this\, Krishna\, the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, in the presence of His father and all the elder cowherd men of Vrindavana\, spoke in such a way as to make heavenly King Indra very angry. He suggested that they forgo the sacrifice. His reasons for discouraging the sacrifice performed to please Indra were twofold. First\, as stated in the Bhagavad-gita\, there is no need to worship the demigods for any material advancement; all results derived from worshiping the demigods are simply temporary\, and only those who are less intelligent are interested in temporary results. Second\, whatever temporary result one derives from worshiping the demigods is actually granted by the permission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gita: mayaiva vihitan hi tan. Whatever benefit is supposed to be derived from the demigods is actually bestowed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Without the permission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, one cannot bestow any benefit upon others. But sometimes the demigods become puffed up by the influence of material nature; thinking themselves all in all\, they forget the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. In Srimad-Bhagavatam it is clearly stated that in this instance Krishna wanted to make King Indra angry. Krishna’s advent was especially meant for the annihilation of the demons and protection of the devotees. King Indra was certainly a devotee\, not a demon\, but because he was puffed up\, Krishna wanted to teach him a lesson. He first made Indra angry by stopping the Indra-puja\, which had been arranged by the cowherd men in Vrindavana.\n \nWith this purpose in mind\, Krishna began to talk as if He were an atheist supporting the philosophy of Karma-mimamsa. Advocates of this philosophy do not accept the supreme authority of the Personality of Godhead. They put forward the argument that if anyone works nicely\, the result is sure to come. Their opinion is that even if there is a God who gives man the result of his fruitive activities\, there is no need to worship Him because unless man works He cannot bestow any good result. They say that instead of worshiping a demigod or God\, people should give attention to their own duties\, and thus the good result will surely come. Lord Krishna began to speak to His father according to these principles of the Karma-mimamsa philosophy. “My dear father\,” He said\, “I don’t think you need to worship any demigod for the successful performance of your agricultural activities. Every living being is born according to his past karma and leaves this life simply taking the result of his present karma. Everyone is born in different types or species of life according to his past activities\, and he gets his next birth according to the activities of this life. Different grades of material happiness and distress\, comforts and disadvantages of life\, are different results of different kinds of activities\, from either the past or present life.”\n \nMaharaja Nanda and other elder members argued that without satisfying the predominating god one cannot derive any good result simply by material activities. This is actually the fact. For example\, it is sometimes found that in spite of first-class medical help and treatment by a first-class physician\, a diseased person dies. It is concluded\, therefore\, that first-class medical treatment or the attempts of a first-class physician are not in themselves the cause for curing a patient; there must be the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly\, a father’s and mother’s taking care of their children is not the cause of the children’s comfort. Sometimes it is found that in spite of all care by the parents\, the children go bad or succumb to death. Therefore material causes are not sufficient for results. There must be the sanction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nanda Maharaja therefore advocated that in order to get good results for agricultural activities\, they must satisfy Indra\, the superintending deity of the rain supply. Lord Krishna nullified this argument\, saying that the demigods give results only to persons who have executed their prescribed duties. The demigods cannot give any good results to the person who has not executed the prescribed duties; therefore demigods are dependent on the execution of duties and are not absolute in awarding good results to anyone. So why should one care about them?\n \n“My dear father\,” Lord Krishna said\, “there is no need to worship the demigod Indra. Everyone has to achieve the result of his own work. We can actually see that one becomes busy according to the natural tendency of his work; and according to that natural tendency\, all living entities either human beings or demigods achieve their respective results. All living entities achieve higher or lower bodies and create enemies\, friends or neutral parties only because of their different kinds of work. One should be careful to discharge duties according to his natural instinct and not divert attention to the worship of various demigods. The demigods will be satisfied by proper execution of all duties\, so there is no need to worship them. Let us\, rather\, perform our prescribed duties very nicely. Actually one cannot be happy without executing his proper prescribed duty. One who does not\, therefore\, properly discharge his prescribed duties is compared to an unchaste wife. The proper prescribed duty of the brahmanas is the study of the Vedas; the proper duty of the royal order\, the kshatriyas\, is engagement in protecting the citizens; the proper duty of the vaisya community is agriculture\, trade and protection of the cows; and the proper duty of the sudras is service to the higher classes\, namely the brahmanas\, kshatriyas and vaisyas. We belong to the vaisya community\, and our proper duty is to farm\, to trade with the agricultural produce\, to protect cows or to take to banking.”\n \nKrishna identified Himself with the vaisya community because Nanda Maharaja was protecting many cows and Krishna was taking care of them. He enumerated four kinds of business engagements for the vaisya community\, namely agriculture\, trade\, protection of cows and banking. Although the vaisyas can take to any of these occupations\, the men of Vrindavana were engaged primarily in the protection of cows.\n \nKrishna further explained to His father\, “This cosmic manifestation is going on under the influence of three modes of material nature goodness\, passion and ignorance. These three modes are the causes of creation\, maintenance and destruction. The cloud is caused by the action of the mode of passion; therefore it is the mode of passion which causes the rainfall. And after the rainfall\, the living entities derive the result success in agricultural work. What\, then\, has Indra to do in this affair? Even if you do not please Indra\, what can he do? We do not derive any special benefit from Indra. Even if he is there\, he pours water on the ocean also\, where there is no need of water. So he is pouring water on the ocean or on the land; it does not depend on our worshiping him. As far as we are concerned\, we do not need to go to another city or village or foreign country. There are palatial buildings in the cities\, but we are satisfied living in this forest of Vrindavana. Our specific relationship is with Govardhana Hill and Vrindavana forest and nothing more. I therefore request you\, My dear father\, to begin a sacrifice which will satisfy the local brahmanas and Govardhana Hill\, and let us have nothing to do with Indra.”\n \nAfter hearing this statement by Krishna\, Nanda Maharaja replied\, “My dear boy\, since You are asking\, I shall arrange for a separate sacrifice for the local brahmanas and Govardhana Hill. But for the present let me execute this sacrifice known as Indra-yajna.”\nBut Krishna replied\, “My dear father\, don’t delay. The sacrifice you propose for Govardhana and the local brahmanas will take much time. Better take the arrangement and paraphernalia you have already made for the Indra-yajna and immediately engage them to satisfy Govardhana Hill and the local brahmanas.”\n \nMaharaja Nanda finally relented. The cowherd men then inquired from Krishna how He wanted the yajna performed\, and Krishna gave them the following directions. “Prepare very nice foods of all descriptions from the grains and ghee collected for the yajna. Prepare rice\, dhal\, then halava\, pakora\, puri and all kinds of milk preparations\, such as sweet rice\, rabri\, sweetballs\, sandesa\, rasagulla and laddu\, and invite the learned brahmanas who can chant the Vedic hymns and offer oblations to the fire. The brahmanas should be given all kinds of grains in charity. Then decorate all the cows and feed them well. After performing this\, give money in charity to the brahmanas. As far as the lower animals are concerned\, such as the dogs\, and the lower grades of people\, such as the candalas\, or the fifth class of men\, who are considered untouchable\, they also may be given sumptuous prasadam. After nice grasses have been given to the cows\, the sacrifice known as Govardhana-puja may immediately begin. This sacrifice will very much satisfy Me.”\n \nIn this statement\, Lord Krishna practically described the whole economy of the vaisya community. In all communities in human society including the brahmanas\, kshatriyas\, vaisyas\, sudras\, candalas\, etc. and in the animal kingdom including the cows\, dogs\, goats\, etc. everyone has his part to play. Each is to work in cooperation for the total benefit of all society\, which includes not only animate objects but also inanimate objects like hills and land. The vaisya community is specifically responsible for the economic improvement of the society by producing grains\, by giving protection to the cows\, by transporting food when needed\, and by banking and finance.\n \nFrom this statement we learn also that although the cats and dogs\, which have now become so important\, are not to be neglected\, cow protection is actually more important than protection of cats and dogs. Another hint we get from this statement is that the candalas\, or the untouchables\, are also not to be neglected by the higher classes and should be given necessary protection. Everyone is important\, but some are directly responsible for the advancement of human society and some are only indirectly responsible. However\, when Krishna consciousness is there\, then everyone’s total benefit is taken care of.\n \nThe sacrifice known as Govardhana-puja is observed in the Krishna consciousness movement. Lord Caitanya has recommended that since Krishna is worshipable\, so His land Vrindavana and Govardhana Hill is also worshipable. To confirm this statement\, Lord Krishna said that Govardhana-puja is as good as worship of Him. From that day\, Govardhana-puja has been going on and is known as Annakuta. In all the temples of Vrindavana or outside of Vrindavana\, huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed to the general population. Sometimes the food is thrown to the crowds\, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasadam offered to Krishna never becomes polluted or contaminated\, even if it is thrown on the ground. The people\, therefore\, collect it and eat with great satisfaction.\n \nThe Supreme Personality of Godhead\, Krishna\, therefore advised the cowherd men to stop the Indra-yajna and begin the Govardhana-puja in order to chastise Indra\, who was very much puffed up at being the supreme controller of the heavenly planets. The honest and simple cowherd men\, headed by Nanda Maharaja\, accepted Krishna’s proposal and executed in detail everything He advised. They performed Govardhana worship and circumambulation of the hill. (Following the inauguration of Govardhana-puja\, people in Vrindavana still dress nicely and assemble near Govardhana Hill to offer worship and circumambulate the hill\, leading their cows all around.) According to the instruction of Lord Krishna\, Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men called in learned brahmanas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasadam. The inhabitants of Vrindavana assembled together\, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front\, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill. The gopis dressed themselves very luxuriantly and sat in bull-driven carts\, chanting the glories of Krishna’s pastimes. Assembled there to act as priests for Govardhana-puja\, the brahmanas offered their blessings to the cowherd men and their wives\, the gopis.\n \nWhen everything was complete\, Krishna assumed a great transcendental form and declared to the inhabitants of Vrindavana that He was Himself Govardhana Hill in order to convince the devotees that Govardhana Hill and Krishna Himself are identical. Then Krishna began to eat all the food offered there. The identity of Krishna and Govardhana Hill is still honored\, and great devotees take rocks from Govardhana Hill and worship them exactly as they worship the Deity of Krishna in the temples. The followers of the Krishna consciousness movement may therefore collect small rocks or pebbles from Govardhana Hill and worship them at home\, because this worship is as good as Deity worship. The form of Krishna who began to eat the offerings was separately constituted\, and Krishna Himself\, along with the other inhabitants of Vrindavana\, offered obeisances to the Deity as well as Govardhana Hill. In offering obeisances to the huge form of Krishna and Govardhana Hill\, Krishna declared\, “Just see how Govardhana Hill has assumed this huge form and is favoring us by accepting all the offerings.” Krishna also declared at that meeting\, “One who neglects the worship of Govardhana-puja\, as I am personally conducting it\, will not be happy. There are many snakes on Govardhana Hill\, and persons neglecting the prescribed duty of Govardhana-puja will be bitten by these snakes and killed. In order to assure the good fortune of the cows and themselves\, all people of Vrindavana near Govardhana must worship the hill\, as prescribed by Me.”\nThus performing the Govardhana-puja sacrifice\, all the inhabitants of Vrindavana followed the instructions of Krishna\, the son of Vasudeva\, and afterwards they returned to their respective homes.\n \nThus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Twenty-fourth Chapter of Krishna\, “Worshiping Govardhana Hill.”\n \nDevastating Rainfall in Vrindavana\nKRSNA BOOK CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE\nby His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.\n \nWhen Indra understood that the sacrifice that was to be offered by the cowherd men in Vrindavana had been stopped by Krishna\, he became angry\, and he vented his anger upon the inhabitants of Vrindavana\, who were headed by Nanda Maharaja\, although Indra knew perfectly well that Krishna was personally protecting them. As the director of different kinds of clouds\, Indra called for the Samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The Samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically\, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality. When demons become very powerful\, they defy the supreme controller\, the Personality of Godhead. Indra\, though not a demon\, was puffed up by his material position\, and he wanted to challenge the supreme controller. He thought himself\, at least for the time being\, as powerful as Krishna. Indra said\, “Just see the impudence of the inhabitants of Vrindavana! They are simply inhabitants of the forest\, but being infatuated with their friend Krishna\, who is nothing but an ordinary human being\, they have dared to defy the demigods.”\n \nKrishna has declared in the Bhagavad-gita that the worshipers of the demigods are not very intelligent. He has also declared that one has to give up all kinds of worship and simply concentrate on Krishna consciousness. Krishna’s invoking the anger of Indra and later on chastising him is a clear indication to His devotees that those who are engaged in Krishna consciousness have no need to worship any demigod\, even if it is found that the demigod has become angry. Krishna gives His devotees all protection\, and they should completely depend on His mercy.\n \nIndra cursed the action of the inhabitants of Vrindavana and said\, “By defying the authority of the demigods\, the inhabitants of Vrindavana will suffer in material existence. Having neglected the sacrifice to the demigods\, they cannot cross over the impediments of the ocean of material existence.” Indra further declared\, “These cowherd men in Vrindavana have neglected my authority on the advice of this talkative boy who is known as Krishna. He is nothing but a child\, and by believing this child\, they have enraged me.” Thus he ordered the Samvartaka cloud to go and destroy the prosperity of Vrindavana. “The men of Vrindavana\,” said Indra\, “have become too puffed up over their material opulence and are overconfident due to the presence of their tiny friend\, Krishna. He is simply talkative\, childish and unaware of the complete cosmic situation\, although He is thinking Himself very advanced in knowledge. Because they have taken Krishna so seriously\, they must be punished. They should be destroyed with their cows.” In this way Indra ordered the Samvartaka cloud to go to Vrindavana and inundate the place.\nIt is indicated here that in the villages or outside the towns\, the inhabitants must depend on the cows for their prosperity. When the cows are destroyed\, the people are destitute of all kinds of opulences. When King Indra ordered the Samvartaka and companion clouds to go to Vrindavana\, the clouds were afraid of doing this mischief. But King Indra assured them\, “You go ahead\, and I will also go\, riding on my elephant\, accompanied by great storms. And I shall apply all my strength to punishing the inhabitants of Vrindavana.”\n \nOrdered by King Indra\, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Vrindavana and began to pour water incessantly\, with all their strength and power. There was constant lightning and thunder\, blowing of severe wind and incessant falling of rain. The rainfall seemed to fall like piercing sharp arrows. By pouring water as thick as pillars\, without cessation\, the clouds gradually filled all the lands in Vrindavana with water\, and there was no visible distinction between higher and lower land. The situation was very dangerous\, especially for the animals. The rainfall was accompanied by great winds\, and every living creature in Vrindavana began to tremble from the severe cold. Unable to find any other source of deliverance\, they all approached Govinda to take shelter at His lotus feet. The cows especially\, being much aggrieved from the heavy rain\, bowed down their heads\, and taking their calves underneath their bodies\, they approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead to take shelter of His lotus feet. At that time all the inhabitants of Vrindavana began to pray to Lord Krishna. “Dear Krishna\,” they prayed\, “You are all-powerful\, and You are very affectionate to Your devotees. Now please protect us\, who have been much harassed by angry Indra.”\n \nUpon hearing their prayer\, Krishna could also understand that Indra\, being bereft of his sacrificial honor\, was pouring down rain that was accompanied by heavy pieces of ice and strong winds\, although all this was out of season. Krishna understood that this was a deliberate exhibition of anger by Indra. He therefore concluded\, “This demigod who thinks himself supreme has shown his great power\, but I shall answer him according to My position\, and I shall teach him that he is not autonomous in managing universal affairs. I am the Supreme Lord over all\, and I shall thus take away his false prestige\, which has risen from his power. The demigods are My devotees\, and therefore it is not possible for them to forget My supremacy\, but somehow or other he has become puffed up with material power and thus is now maddened. I shall act in such a way to relieve him of this false prestige. I shall give protection to My pure devotees in Vrindavana\, who are at present completely at My mercy and whom I have taken completely under My protection. I must save them by My mystic power.”\n \nThinking in this way\, Lord Krishna immediately picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand\, exactly as a child picks up a mushroom from the ground. Thus He exhibited His transcendental pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill. Lord Krishna then addressed His devotees\, “My dear brothers\, My dear father\, My dear inhabitants of Vrindavana\, you can now safely enter under the umbrella of Govardhana Hill\, which I have just lifted. Do not be afraid of the hill and think that it will fall from My hand. You have been too much afflicted from the heavy rain and strong wind; therefore I have lifted this hill\, which will protect you exactly like a huge umbrella. I think this is a proper arrangement to relieve you of your immediate distress. Be happy along with your animals underneath this great umbrella.” Being assured by Lord Krishna\, all the inhabitants of Vrindavana entered beneath the great hill along with their property and animals\, and they all appeared to be safe.\n \nThe inhabitants of Vrindavana and their animals remained there for one week without being disturbed by hunger\, thirst or any other discomforts. They were simply astonished to see how Krishna was holding up the mountain with the little finger of His left hand. Seeing the extraordinary mystic power of Krishna\, Indra\, the King of heaven\, was thunderstruck and baffled in his determination. He immediately called for all the clouds and asked them to desist. When the sky became completely cleared of all clouds and there was sunrise again\, the strong wind stopped. At that time Krishna\, the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, known now as the lifter of Govardhana Hill\, said\, “My dear cowherd men\, now you can leave and take your wives\, children\, cows and valuables\, because everything is ended. The inundation has gone down\, along with the swelling waters of the river.”\n \nAll the men loaded their valuables on carts and slowly left with their cows and other paraphernalia. After they had cleared out everything\, Lord Krishna very slowly replaced Govardhana Hill exactly in the same position as it had been before. When everything was done\, all the inhabitants of Vrindavana approached Krishna with feelings of love and embraced Him with great ecstasy. The gopis\, being naturally very affectionate to Krishna\, began to offer Him yogurt mixed with their tears\, and they poured incessant blessings upon Him. Mother Yasoda\, mother Rohini\, Nanda and Balarama\, who is the strongest of the strong\, embraced Krishna one after another and\, from spontaneous feelings of affection\, blessed Him over and over again. In the heavens\, different demigods from different planetary systems\, such as Siddhaloka\, Gandharvaloka and Caranaloka\, also began to show their complete satisfaction. They poured showers of flowers on the surface of the earth and sounded different conchshells. There was beating of drums\, and being inspired by godly feelings\, residents of Gandharvaloka began to play on their tambouras to please the Lord. After this incident\, the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, surrounded by His dear friends and the animals\, returned to His home. As usual\, the gopis began to chant the glorious pastimes of Lord Krishna with great feeling\, for they were chanting from the heart.\n \nThus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Twenty-fifth Chapter of Krishna\, “Devastating Rainfall in Vrindavana.”\n \nGo Puja\n \n Lord Krishna\, as the teacher of human society\, personally showed by His acts that the mercantile community\, or the vaisyas\, should herd cows and bulls and thus give protection to the valuable animals. According to smriti regulation\, the cow is the mother and the bull the father of the human being. The cow is the mother because just as one sucks the breast of one’s mother\, human society takes cow’s milk. Similarly\, the bull is the father of human society because the father earns for the children just as the bull tills the ground to produce food grains. Human society will kill its spirit of life by killing the father and the mother. It is mentioned herein that the beautiful cows and bulls were of various checkered colors red\, black\, green\, yellow\, ash\, etc. And because of their colors and healthy smiling features\, the atmosphere was enlivening. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srimad Bhagavatam 3:2:29. purport.)\n \npita-mata mari’ khao eba kon dharma\nkon bale kara tumi e-mata vikarma\n \nSYNONYMS\npita-mata father and mother; mari’ killing; khao you eat; eba this; kon what kind of; dharma religion; kon bale on what strength; kara do; tumi you; e-mata such; vikarma sinful activities.\n \nTRANSLATION\n“Since the bull and cow are your father and mother\, how can you kill and eat them? What kind of religious principle is this? On what strength are you so daring that you commit such sinful activities?”\n \nPURPORT\nEveryone can understand that we drink the milk of cows and take the help of bulls in producing agricultural products. Therefore\, since our real father gives us food grains and our mother gives us milk with which to live\, the cow and bull are considered our father and mother. According to Vedic civilization\, there are seven mothers\, of which the cow is one. Therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu challenged the Muslim Kazi\, “What kind of religious principle do you follow by killing your father and mother to eat them?” In any civilized human society\, no one would dare kill his father and mother for the purpose of eating them. Therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu challenged the system of Muslim religion as patricide and matricide. In the Christian religion also\, a principal commandment is “Thou shalt not kill.” Nevertheless\, Christians violate this rule; they are very expert in killing and in opening slaughterhouses. In our Krishna consciousness movement\, our first provision is that no one should be allowed to eat any kind of flesh. It does not matter whether it is cows’ flesh or goats’ flesh\, but we especially stress the prohibition against cows’ flesh because according to sastra the cow is our mother. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta Adi-lila 17:154. text and purport).\n \n“According to the Vedic social system\, as soon as one takes birth he becomes indebted to so many persons. We are indebted to the rishis\, or great sages\, because we derive knowledge from their transcendental writings\, such as the Srimad-Bhagavatam\, compiled by Srila Vyasadeva. The authors of the scripture know past\, present\, and future\, and we are urged to take advantage of such invaluable knowledge. Thus we are indebted to the sages.\nWe are also indebted to the demigods\, for they manage the affairs of the universe\, supplying it with every essential sunshine from the sun-god\, Surya; moonshine from the moon-god\, Candra; air from Vayu; and so on. Each element is controlled by a particular demigod.\nWe are also indebted to ordinary living entities from whom we take service. For example\, we take milk from the cow. According to Vedic understanding\, the cow is considered one of our mothers because we drink her milk\, just as at birth we drink our mother’s milk. The Srimad-Bhagavatam lists seven mothers: our own mother\, the wife of our teacher or spiritual master\, the wife of a brahmana\, the wife of the king\, the nurse\, the cow\, and the earth. We are indebted to all seven of these mothers\, and also to our father\, brothers\, friends\, relatives\, and forefathers.”(A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Second Chance book – chapter 17 “The Moment of Truth”)\n \n“Similarly\, this Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic literature\, just like milk is the essence of the blood. Blood… The milk is nothing\, but it is cow’s blood transformed. Just like mother’s milk. The mother’s milk\, wherefrom it comes? It comes from the blood\, but transformed in such a way that it becomes nutritious to the child\, tasteful to the child. Similarly\, cow’s milk also\, a most nutritious and valuable food. So it is compared that this Bhagavad-gita is the milk of the cow of Vedic literature. And the milkman is Krishna Himself. And the drinker of the milk is…\, we are\, Arjuna\, through Arjuna. So these things are there.” (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 3rd June 1968. Bhagavad Gita lecture. Montreal.)\n \n“Personified dharma\, he’s inquiring from the cow. He’s addressing cow\, amba. Amba means mother. So cow is our mother. Why mother? Because from practical point of view\, we drink milk. So how mother… How cow is not mother? She’s mother. We are taking her milk. There are seven mothers according to Vedic civilization:\n \natma-mata guroh patni\nbrahmani raja-patnika\ndhenur dhatri tatha prithvi\nsaptaita matarah smritah\n \nReal mother\, from whose womb we have come to this world\, real mother\, atma-mata. Then guroh patni\, wife of the teacher or spiritual master\, guroh patni. Brahmani\, the wife of a brahmana. Atma-mata guroh patni brahmani raja-patnika\, and the wife of the king\, or the queen. She’s also mother. Dhenu\, the cow. Cow is also mother. And dhatri means nurse. Nurse is also mother. Tatha prithvi\, and the earth\, the earth is also our mother. That we say in country\, in the country which we take birth\, we say desa-matrika. In Sanskrit it is called desa-matrika. That is also mother. Mother land\, mother language. So this… So many mothers we have got\, out of which\, cow is also mother. Therefore she’s addressed as amba. Amba means mother. Still in Gujarat province\, they call amba. And in U.P.\, United States\, er\, United Province\, in India\, they also call amba\, or in a broken language they call amma. Still… That is from very long time\, mother is… Amba-devi. There is a… From Amba-devi\, there is a big temple of Mother Durga\, Kali\, in Bombay. So this Amba-devi was pronounced by the Englishmens as Bamba-devi\, and from Bamba-devi it has come to “Bombay.” Actually\, there is a big temple of Amba in Bombay. From that name\, instead of Amba\, they have become Bamba. Just like from Sindhu\, they have called\, they have designated the inhabitants of Sindhu-desa as “Hindu.” The Muhammadans\, they pronounce s as h. So from “Sindhu\,” it has come to “Hindu.” Otherwise\, this “Hindu” name is not mentioned in any Vedic literature. It is given by the… This name is given by the other foreigners. Especially the Arabian countries\, they used to call this nation\, Bharata-varsha…\nActually\, Hindu is not a religion. Hindu is a name given by the foreigners. The religion is\, of India\, varnasrama-dharma\, following the institution of four varnas and four asramas. That is varn… Or sanatana-dharma. Sanatana-dharma means eternal\, eternal religion. Religion of human being is one. That is called sanatana. A living entity is described as sanatana. Mamaivamso jiva-bhuto jiva-loke sanatanah. In the Bhagavad-gita you’ll find sanatanah\, and Krishna is also addressed in the Eleventh Chapter as sanatanas tvam. And there is another place\, or spiritual world\, which is also called sanatana. In the Bhagavad-gita you’ll find\, paras tasmat tu bhavo ’nyo ’vyakto ’vyaktat sanatanah. So this sanatana term is very important. The living entity is sanatana and God is sanatana and the spiritual world is sanatana\, and the process by which your lost relationship with God established and you go back to home back to Godhead\, that is called sanatana-dharma. Sanatana-dharma. That is our eternal relationship with God.” (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 15th January 1974. Srimad Bhagavatam lecture SB 1:16:19. Hawaii).
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/govardhana-puja-go-puja-or-go-krda-2nd-nov-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241102
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241103
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T122936Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241104T112130Z
UID:37984-1730505600-1730591999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Rasikananda 2nd Nov 2024
DESCRIPTION:Sri Rasikananda Prabhu (Rasika Murari) appeared as the son of a king. He became a perfect sage\, Gaudiya Vaisnava scholar\, rasika bhakta\, and the most beloved disciple of Sri Syamananda Prabhu. \nHe was the principal disciple of Syamananda Gosvami. Accepting the order of his guru\, Sri Syamananda\, on his head\, Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna\, Sakabda 1574 (1652AD)\, Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone’s notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there\, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. Then\, after requesting them to begin sankirtana\, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha\, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha’s lotus feet\, which bestow complete fearlessness\, he entered into their ultimate shelter. \nRasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at Remuna just in front and to the right as you go in the main gate\, with the temple to the left\, and admin’ offices straight ahead \nHis Life \nBirth \nAround 1590 AD (Sakabda 1512)\, on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik\, during the night of the festival Dipamalika\, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps\, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva\, the king of Rohini. \nThe village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi\, encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning golden and rekha\, a line). This Suvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all the local people. Near Royni was another village of the name Barayita\, by the side of which flowed the Dolanganadi River\, whose banks were adorned with beautiful gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his subjects and was famous for impeccably observing the rites attendant upon kings. In the village of Royni the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in the eastern sky and became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as Rasikananda and also Murari. \nYouth \nAt a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to his parents\, especially his mother\, whose name was Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari’s wife Syamadasi was a treasure chest of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila\, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha\, where in earlier ages the Pandavas had lived in exile. \nMeeting his Guru \nOne day\, Murari was sitting in a lonely place\, wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him\, “Don’t be in anxiety\, you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda.” Having heard this proclamation\, Rasik Murari became very jubilant\, and began to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda\, as though chanting japa. a Pandit \nMoment to moment his eagerness increased without diminition\, as tears flowed from his eyes by his chanting of the name of Syamananda. He was in such a state that he spent most of the night sleeplessly\, calling to his master Syamananda. Finally\, towards the early morning\, he drifted off to the land of dreams\, where he saw his spiritual master\, the very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly\, Syamananda informed him\, “When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes tinged with pink\, you will obtain me.” Saying this\, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda’s heart began to swell in ecstatic bliss. Then\, with the first rays of morning which dispel the dense darkness of the world\, the wise Murari sat silently watching the path. After some time Syamananda approached from the distance\, looking as effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and others. His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its friend- the sun\, and his chest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of ‘Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda’ emanating from his lotus mouth. Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form\, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love. \nLife devoted to Preaching \nSri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that\, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru\, during which time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships service\, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. At Gopiballabhpur and other places he began to seriously take up the preaching the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and non-believers were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. “By the tremendous influence of Rasikananda’s preaching\, many rogues\, robbers and atheists were delivered from their sinful activities and received his mercy. He distributed the jewel of devotion as he travelled from village to village\, in the company of his disciples. \nOne day he even converted a wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his disciple and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That wicked miscreant who sent the elephant bowed at his feet when he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living entities that were extricated from the ocean of material existence by Rasikananda Deva’s association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Who cannot but be overwhelmed by hearing about his uncommon qualities?” [B.R. 15.86] Many virtuous kings and zamindars such as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj\, the king of Patashpur known as Gajapati and Candrabhanu\, the king of Moyna\, took shelter at his lotus feet. What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen\, even the sinful zamindar Bhima\, Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. Another vicious\, wild elephant was tamed by Rasikananda’s transcendental influence and henceforward was known as Gopala das. Later\, two jungle tigers likewise gave up their ferocious nature. \nLove for Lord Jagannath \nOne year\, during Lord Jagannatha’s Ratha-yatra festival\, Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country\, but when he realised that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed like the wind in order to come to Nilacala in time for the festival. \nBut in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath\, Who felt reciprocal separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda\, caused the Rath to stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha\, under no circumstances could they budge it\, not even an inch. Then Lord Jagannatha\, seeing that the king was becoming frustrated\, informed him that he was waiting for His devotee Rasika. \nFinally Rasikananda Deva arrived\, carrying with him many offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to offer his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha\, and the king requested him to pull the rope at which the cart began to easily move along the road\, just as the clouds move in the sky. Later the king requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he might establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as Fultota Math\, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed the Deity of Sri Bat Krsna. The Deity is now known as Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya. \nLineage \nSri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda\, Sri Krsna-Govinda and Sri Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka\, Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. His Sripat Gopiballabhpur can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur\, and a bus to Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at Puri.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-rasikananda-2nd-nov-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241102
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T122758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241104T112116Z
UID:37979-1730419200-1730505599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Bali Daityaraja Puja 2nd Nov 2024
DESCRIPTION:Dipa-dan\, Dipavali\, or Diwali (and Kalipuja) is a commemoration of Lord Rama’s return from exile to Ayodhya\, His capital\, following the defeat of the demon Ravana. (Vaisnavas don’t regularly observe Kalipuja\, the worship of Durga Devi.)
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/bali-daityaraja-puja-2nd-nov-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241102
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T122747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241104T112109Z
UID:37978-1730419200-1730505599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Dipa Dana\, Dipavali\, (Kali Puja) 1st Nov 2024
DESCRIPTION:Dipa-dan\, Dipavali\, or Diwali (and Kalipuja) is a commemoration of Lord Rama’s return from exile to Ayodhya\, His capital\, following the defeat of the demon Ravana. (Vaisnavas don’t regularly observe Kalipuja\, the worship of Durga Devi.)
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/dipa-dana-dipavali-kali-puja-1st-nov-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241028
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241029
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T122435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T132559Z
UID:37977-1730073600-1730159999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Rama Mahadvadashi 28th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Yudhisthira Maharaj said\, “O Janardana\, O protector of all beings\, what is the name of the Ekadashi that comes during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Kartika (October  November)? Please impart this sacred knowledge to me.” \nThe Supreme Lord\, Sri Krishna then spoke as follows\, “O lion among kings\, please listen as I narrate to you; The Ekadashi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Kartika is called Rama Ekadashi. It is most auspicious\, for it at once eradicates the greatest sins and awards one the passage to the spiritual abode. I shall now narrate to you its history and glories.” \n“There once lived a famous king of the name Muchakunda\, who was friendly to Lord Indra\, the king of the heavenly planets\, as well as with Yamaraj\, Varuna\, and Vibhishana\, the pious brother of the demon Ravana. Muchakunda always spoke the truth and constantly rendered devotional service to Me. Because he ruled according to religious principles\, there were no disturbances in his kingdom.\n \n“Muchakunda’s daughter was named Chandrabhaaga\, after a sacred river\, and the king gave her in marriage to Shobhana\, the son of Chandrasena. One day\, Shobhana visited his father-in-law’s palace on the auspicious Ekadashi day. This visit made Shobhana’s wife Chandrabhaaga quite anxious\, for she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast. She said to him\, ‘My father is very strict about following Ekadashi. On Dasami\, the day before Ekadashi\, he strikes a large kettledrum and announces\, “Nobody should eat on Ekadashi\, the sacred day of Sri Hari !” “\n“When Shobhana heard the sound of the kettledrum\, he said to his wife\, ‘O beautiful one\, what am I to do now? Please tell me how I can save my life and obey your father’s strictness and at the same time satisfy our guests !”\n \n“Chandrabhaaga then spoke\, ‘My dear husband\, in my father’s house nobody  not even the elephants or horses\, what to speak of consenting human beings  eats on Ekadashi. Indeed\, none of the animals are given their ration of grains\, leaves\, or straw  or even water !  on Ekadashi\, the sacred day of Sri Hari. So how can you escape fasting? My beloved husband\, if you must eat something\, then you should leave here at once. Now\, with firm conviction decide on what you have to do.’\n“Prince Shobhana then said\, ‘I have decided to fast on the sacred Ekadashi day. Whatever my fate is\, it will surely come to pass.’\n \n“Deciding thus\, Shobhana attempted to fast on this Ekadashi\, but he became unbearably disturbed with excessive hunger and thirst. Eventually the sun set in the west\, and the arrival of the auspicious night made all the Vaishnavas very happy. O Yudhisthira\, all the devotees enjoyed worshipping Me (Sri Hari) and remaining awake all through night\, but Prince Shobhana that night became absolutely unbearable. Indeed\, when the Sun rose on the Dwadasi\, that Prince Shobhana was dead.\n \n“King Muchakunda observed his son-in-law’s funeral\, ordering a large stack of wood be assembled for the fire\, but he instructed his daughter Chandrabhaaga not to join her husband on the funeral pyre. Thus Chandrabhaaga\, after performing all the purificatory processes and procedures for honouring her deceased husband\, continued to live in her father’s house.\n \nLord Sri Krishna continued\, “O best of the kings\, Yudhisthira\, even though Shobhana died because of observing Rama Ekadashi\, the merit that he accrued enabled him\, after his death\, to become the ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandarachala Mountain. This kingdom was like a city of the demigods; very lustrous\, with unlimited jewels set in the walls of its buildings that gave off light. The pillars were made of rubies\, and gold inlaid with diamonds shone everywhere. As King Shobhana sat upon a throne beneath a pure white canopy\, servants fanned him with yak-tail whisks. A stunning crown rested upon his head\, beautiful earrings adorned his ears\, a necklace graced his throat\, and bejewelled armlets and bracelets encircled his arms. He was served by Gandharvas (the best of heavenly singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers). Verily\, he resembled a second Indra.\n \n“One day\, a brahmin named Somasharma\, who lived in Muchakunda’s kingdom\, happened upon Shobhana’s kingdom while travelling to various places of pilgrimage. The brahmin saw Shobhana in all his resplendent glory and thought he might be the son-in-law of his own king Muchakunda. When Shobhana saw the brahmin approaching\, he immediately rose up from his seat and welcomed him. After Shobhana had paid his respectful obeisances he asked the brahmin about his well-being and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhana’s) father-in-law\, his wife and all the residents of the city.\n \n“Somasharma then said\, ‘O king\, all the residents and subjects are well in your father-in-law’s kingdom\, and Chandrabhaaga and your other family members are also quite well. Peace and prosperity reign throughout the kingdom. But there is one thing\, I’m quite astonished to find you here! Please tell me about yourself. Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful city as this! Kindly tell me how you obtained it.’\n \n“King Shobhana then began to tell his story\, ‘Because I observed the Rama Ekadashi\, I was given this splendid city to rule over. But for all of its grandeur\, it is only temporary. I beg you to do something to correct this deficiency. You see\, this is only an ephemeral city\, a place of this material world. How may I make its beauties and glories permanent? Kindly reveal this to me by your instructions.\n \n“The brahmin then asked\, ‘Why is this kingdom unstable and how will it become stable? Please fully explain this to me\, and I shall try to help you.’\n“Shobhana then answered\, ‘Because I fasted on the Rama Ekadashi without any faith\, this kingdom is impermanent. Now hear how it can become permanent. Please return to Chandrabhaaga\, the beautiful daughter of king Muchukunda\, and tell her what you have seen and understood about this place and about me. Surely\, if you\, a pure hearted brahmin\, tell her this\, my city will soon become permanent.’\n \n“Thus the brahmin returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandrabhaaga\, who was both surprised and overjoyed to hear this news of her husband. She said\, ‘O brahmana\, is this a dream you have seen\, or is it actually a factual thing?’\n“Somasharma the brahmin replied\, ‘O Princess\, I have seen your late husband face to face in that wonderful kingdom\, which resembles a realm of the denizens’ of heavens playgrounds. But your former husband has asked me to relate to you that he says that his kingdom is unstable and could vanish into thin air at any moment. Therefore he hope you can find a way to make it permanent.’\n \n“Chandrabhaaga then said\, ‘O sage among the brahmins\, please take me to that place where my husband resides at once\, for I greatly desire to see him again! Surely I shall make his kingdom permanent with the merit that I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadashi throughout my life. Please reunite us at once\, again. It is said that one who reunites separated persons also obtains very great merit.’\n“The humble brahmin Somasharma then led Chandrabhaaga to Shobhana’s effulgent kingdom. Before reaching it\, however\, they stopped at the foot of Mt. Mandaracala\, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva. Upon hearing their story\, Vamadeva chanted hymns from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water from his samanya arghya upon Chandrabhaaga. By the influence of that great Rishi’s rites\, the merit she had accrued by fasting for so many Ekadashis made her body transcendental. Ecstatic\, her eyes beaming in wonder\, Chandrabhaaga continued on her journey.\n \n“When Shobhana saw his wife approaching him high on Mount Mandarachala\, he was overwhelmed with joy and called out to her in great happiness and jubilation. After she arrived \, he seated her on his left side and she said to him\, ‘O dearest Patiguru\, please listen as I tell you something that will benefit you greatly. Since I was eight years old I have fasted regularly and with full faith on every Ekadashi. If I transfer to you all the merit I have accumulated\, your kingdom will surely become permanent\, and its prosperity will grow and grow until the coming of the great inundation !’ “\n \nLord Sri Krishna then continued to address Yudhisthira as follows\, “O Yudhisthira\, in this way Chandrabhaaga who was beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments and had an exquisitely transcendental body\, at last enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband. By the potency of Rama Ekadashi\, Shobhana found his kingdom on the peaks of Mt. Mandarachala able to fulfill all his desires and bestow upon him everlasting happiness\, like that achieved from the transcendental Kaama-dhenu milch cow.\n“O greatest of kings\, I have thus narrated to you the glories of Rama Ekadashi that falls in the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika.\n \n“Anyone who observes sacred Ekadashi during both the light and the dark fortnight of each month is undoubtedly freed from the reactions to the sin of killing a brahmin. One should not differentiate between the Ekadashis of the light and dark parts of the month. As we have seen\, both can award pleasure in this world and liberate even the most sinful and fallen souls. Just as black cows and white cows give equally good quality milk. So the Ekadashis of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) and the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) award the same high degree of merit and eventually liberate one from the repeated cycle of birth and death. Anyone who simply hears this narration of the glories of the sacred day of Rama Ekadashi\, is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.”\n \nThus ends the narration for the glories of the sacred Kartika-krsna Ekadashi\, or Rama Ekadashi\, from the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana of Srila Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyaasa.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/rama-mahadvadashi-28th-oct-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241025
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241026
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T122306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T132552Z
UID:37976-1729814400-1729900799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Virabhadra 25th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Sri Viracandra or Virabhadra Prabhu appeared on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given this description of Him in the C.c. Adi 11.8-12. \n“After Nityananda Prabhu\, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani\, who also has innumerable branches and sub-branches. It is not possible to describe them all. Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, He presented Himself as a great devotee. And although the Supreme Godhead is transcendental to all Vedic injunctions\, He strictly followed the Vedic rituals. He is the main pillar in the hall of devotional service erected by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He knew within himself that He acted as the Supreme Lord Visnu\, but externally He was prideless. It is by the mercy of Sri Virabhadra Gosani that people all over the world now have the chance to chant the names of Caitanya and Nityananda. I there take shelter of the lotus feet of Virabhadra Gosani so that by His mercy my great desire to write Sri Caitanya-Charitamrta will be properly guided.” \nSri Birbhadra Gosvami is the son of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and the disciple of Sri Jahnava Mata. His mother is Srimati Vasudha Devi. In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika it is described that Sri Viracandra Prabhu is an incarnation of Ksirodakasayi Visnu – one of the expansions of Sri Sankarsana. He is thus not different from Lord Caitanya Himself. \nOnce upon a time\, Isvari (Sri Jahnava Mata) went to the house of one Jadunandana Acarya of Jhamatpur near Rajbol Hat(ta?)œ and by her mercy he became a devotee. Jadunanda’s wife was extremely devoted to her husband and his two daughters\, Srimati and Narayani\, possessed bodily forms which excelled the limits of mortal beauty. By the desire of Isvari that very perfect brahmana gave these two daughters in marriage to Prabhu Viracandra. [B.R.13]\nSri Yadunandana Acarya became the disciple of Vircandra Prabhu and Srimati and Sri Narayani were given initiation in mantra by Sri Jahnava Mata. Viracandra prabhu had a sister\, Srimati Gangadevi\, who was none other than Mother Ganga herself. Her husband Madhavacarya was an incarnation of Raja Santanu. \nTaking permission from his mother\, Viracandra Prabhu set out on a pilgrimage to Vrindavana. First he came to Saptagram and proceeded to the house of Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura where He was met by Uddharana Datta’s son\, Srinivasa Datta. Srinivasa greeted Him with respect and showed Him all hospitality for the two days that he stayed there. From there He went to Santipur where He was led to Advaita Bhavan in a kirtan procession by Advaita Acarya’s son\, Sri Krsna Misra. Next he crossed the Ganges River and came to Gauri dasa Pandita’s house in Ambika Kalna. Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu respectfully greeted Him and honored Him as His guest. From here He came to Navadvipa\, to the house of Jagannath Misra. When the family members and associates of Mahaprabhu learned that He was the son of Sri Nityananda Prabhu\, they were highly pleased and showed Him all courtesies. \nAfter spending two days there He came to Sri Khanda where He was greeted very respectfully and affectionately by Sri Raghunandana and to Sri Kanai Thakura. He spent a few days there\, and then went to Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu’s house in Jajigram\, where Acarya Prabhu received his exalted guest by offering Him the appropriate worship. A few days passed In the ecstasy of sankirtan and then Viracandra Prabhu came to Kantak Nagan (Katwa). He remained there for one day and then proceeded to Bhudarigram. There He was received by Sri Govinda Kaviraj who worshipped His lotus feet and offered Him all hospitality. Sri Viracandra Prabhu was very pleased at his devotion and remained there for a couple of days. Thereafter He made His auspicious arrival in Kheturi. \nAs soon as he received news of His arrival\, Sri Narottama Thakura came out in great ecstasy to meet Sri Viracandra Prabhu. He led Him into the courtyard of the temple of Sri Gauranga where sankirtan accompanied with ecstatic dancing commenced. A steady crowd of people thronged to get a glimpse of Prabhu Vircandra.\n[B.R. 13]\nAfter spending a few days in Kheturi in ecstatic sankirtana\, Viracandra Prabhu set off for Sri Vrindavana Dhama. Along the way many sinful and atheistic people were delivered by His influence. As news of His arrival reached Vrindavana\, the Gosvamis\, namely Srila Jiva Goswami\, Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraj Gosvami\, Sri Ananta Acarya\, Sri Hari dasa Pandita\, Sri Krsna dasa Brahmacari (Sri Madhu Gopala’s pujari\, a disciple of Sri Gadadhara Pandita)\, Sri Madhu Pandita (pujari of Sri Gopinatha)\, Sri Bhavananda\, Sri Kasisvara\, as well as his disciple Sri Govinda Gosvami and Sri Yadavacarya were all informed. \nThe Gosvamis\, accompanied by many residents of Sri Vrindavana Dhama\, all came out to meet Prabhu Viracandra. Everyone was overwhelmed by His appearance in ecstatic love\, and they all were humming like bumble bees in discussing His good qualities. Prabhu Viracandra\, in the company of these exalted souls\, took darshana of Sri Madana Mohana\, Sri Govindaji\, Sri Gopinatha\, the principal Deities in Vrindavana.\n[B.R. 13]\nAfter receiving the consent of Sri Jiva Gosvami and Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami\, Prabhu Viracandra set out to wander in the twelve forests of Vrajamandala\, becoming completely overwhelmed by seeing the various places of Krsna’s pastimes\, like Sri Radha Kunda\, Sri Shyama Kunda and Giri Govardhana. His display of ecstatic symptoms captivated the Brijbasis. After seeing the sights of Sri Vrajadhama\, Bircandra Prabhu returned to Gaudadesa. \nAll of the divine qualities of His father\, Sri Nityananda Prabhu\, were fully present in Him. Those who were fortunate enough to witness His ecstatic love praised His glories far and wide. \nGopijana Vallabha\, Rama Krsna and Ramacandra\, who are thought by some to be the sons of Virabhadra Gosai\, were actually His disciples. The youngest\, Rama Krsna\, who resided at Khardaha\, belonged to the Sandilya Gotra and was a member of the Batabyal brahmana community\, known for their great accomplishment in studying the Vedas. The oldest\, Gopijana Vallabha\, lived at Latagram near Manakar\, in the district of Barddhaman. The middle one\, Rama­candra\, lived at Ganeshpur near Maldah. Because their gotras and surnames (titles) were different\, and because they lived at different places\, it is concluded they were not actually Vira­candra Prabhu’s sons. \nHis birthplace is at Khardaha\, which now is a rail station on the Sealdah-Krsnanagar line. The village where Nityananda Prabhu made His advent in this world – Ekacakra – is also named Viracandra­pur. Here the Deity of Sri Bankim Raya was worshipped by Vira­candra Prabhu.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-virabhadra-25th-oct-2024/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241024
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241025
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T121858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T132543Z
UID:37970-1729728000-1729814399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Bahulastami 24th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:The appearance day of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda\, sacred ponds that are the bathing places of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krsna in Vrndavana. \nOn the eighth day of the waning phase of the damodara month the appearance day of Radha Kunda is celebrated by the residents. Bathing in Radha Kunda is especially benefical on this day. By this one gains the favor of Radha\, by which one gains the favor of Krsna. Radha Kunda appeared at midnight. People go to Radha Kunda and offer prasadam\, garlands and pumkins (gords) into the water\, then at midnight take bath in Radha Kunda and then bathe in Syama Kunda. Many people like to bathe at a ghat where Lord Nityananda’s sakti\, Jahnava Mata used to bathe. But wherever you go you better get there early as thousands of people/devotees will be there. And bring some warm clothing for afterwards\, as it is sooooo “cooling”. \nThe holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha\, the transcendental world\, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathura puri is the transcendental forest of Vrndavana because of Krsna’s rasalila pastimes. And superior to the forest of Vrndavana is Goverdhana Hill\, for it was raised by the divine hand of Sri Krsna and was the site of his various loving pastimes. And\, above all\, the superexcellent Sri Radha Kunda stands supreme\, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of gokula\, Sri Krsna. Where\, then\, is that intelligent person who is unwilling to serve this divine Radha Kunda\, which is situated at the foot of Goverdhana Hill? \nSrila Rupa Goswami’s Nectar of Instruction (Upadeshamritam) \nThe Origin of Radha-kund \nAfter killing a bull-demon named Aristasura\, Krishna approached Radharani to engage in loving affairs. However\, She rebuked Him\, stating He was impure because of committing the sin of killing a bull\, the symbol of religion. She suggested that to counteract this sin He should bathe in all the sacred rivers. \nKrishna\, being eager to engage in loving affairs with Srimati Radharani\, immediately shoved His lotus foot into the ground\, making a large hole\, and called all the sacred rivers to enter into it. They appeared before Him and formed Syama-kunda (the bathing place of Syama–one who is the color of a dark rain cloud). \nAfter bathing\, Krishna stated that He had become pure by bathing in Syama-kunda\, but that the gopis had become impure\, having sided with a demon\, even though he appeared in the form of a bull. Radharani\, along with some of Her gopi friends\, broke their bangles and dug a hole with the broken pieces. But there was no water – so Krishna laughed. The gopis then formed a line to the Manasi Ganga and started to fill the hole with water that was passed from one gopi to another. At that time\, all the sacred rivers again arrived in person and requested permission to enter into Radharani’s kunda\, which they did after receiving Radharani’s blessing. 
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/bahulastami-24th-oct-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241024
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241025
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T121742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T132534Z
UID:37969-1729728000-1729814399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Radha Kunda\, Snana Dana 24th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Radha Kunda Prakat\, Snan Dan – The appearance anniversary of Radha- kunda\, the bathing pond of Srimati Radharani in Vrndavana. Devotees bathe there especially on midnight of this day. \n“After the killing of Aristasura\, Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis exchanged many joking words with Sri Krsna concerning the necessary atonement for one who has committed the offence of killing a bull. As a result\, the Queen of Vrindavana\, Srimati Radhika\, and Her sakhis joyfully excavated and filled Sri Radha-kunda with their own hands. May that immensely fragrant Radha-kunda be my shelter. \n“In the land of the hearts of those who bathe in Radha-kunda\, a desire tree of the superlative prema\, which is not attainable even for Krsna’s principal queens in Dvaraka\, will arise. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.”For the pleasure of Srimati Radhika\, even Sri Krsna Himself\, yearning to attain Her merciful sidelong glance\, regularly bathes in Radha-kunda\, carefully observing all the appropriate rituals. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be my shelter. \n“May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda\, which the moon of Vraja\, Sri Krsna\, loves as much as He loves the crown-jewel amongst the sweet girls of Vraja\, Srimati Radhika\, and which He has made known by the name of Radhika Herself\, be my shelter. \n“The mercy obtained by serving Radha-kunda makes the desire-creeper of prema for the prince of Vraja sprout and is celebrated for bearing the flower of service to my svamini Srimati Radhika. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter. \n“Gloriously manifest on the banks of Radha-kunda are eight kunjas named after Radhika’s principal sakhis. Acting as stimuli for the amorous pastimes of the Divine Couple\, these kunjas are filled with the sweet humming of bumblebees and are desired by everyone. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be the shelter of my life. \n“Situated on an exquisite dais on the bank of Radha-kunda and accompanied by Her beloved sakhis\, our svamini Srimati Radhika charmingly engages in sweet\, joking words with Sri Krsna\, the moon of Vraja. These playful verbal exchanges are enhanced by the suggestion of so many innuendoes. May that Radha-kunda be the shelter of my life. \n“May that very charming and especially fragrant Radha-kunda\, where intoxicated with love the Divine Couple and the sakhis daily sport with great joy in the water so fragrant with exquisite lotus flowers\, be the sole shelter of my life. \n“To that devotee who\, in a resolute mood of aspiring to serve Srimati Radhika\, reads this charming prayer describing Sri Radha-kunda\, even in their present body Sri Krsna will quickly grant them darsana of not only His beloved Radhika\, but also of Their many variegated amorous pastimes. Witnessing these pastimes and envisioning himself serving Yugala-kisora in various ways\, such a devotee will feel immense jubilation. This astaka is recited in the poetic meter known as ‘Malini’.” 
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-radha-kunda-snana-dana-24th-oct-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241021
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241022
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T121616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241029T132528Z
UID:37968-1729468800-1729555199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura 21st Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Narottama Dasa Thakura was a leading acarya in the Gaudiya Vaisnava line. He was the only disciple of Srila Lokanatha Gosvami. Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura helped bring the books of the Gosvamis from Vrndavana to Bengal and Orissa.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-narottama-dasa-thakura-21st-oct-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Srila-Narottama-Dasa-Thakura.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241018
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241019
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240923T121447Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241019T132706Z
UID:37967-1729209600-1729295999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Fourth Month of Caturmasya Begins 18th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Fourth month: No Ural Dal. \nCaturmasya stands for ‘four months’. It is the period between sayana and uttana ekadasis. The scriptures refer to this period as the duration of Lord Visnu’s sleep in this universe. \nThe main goal of observing Caturmasya is to decrease attachment to material things and to increase devotion to Krishna.\n \nSrila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrta\, “Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grihasta or a sanyasi. The observation is obligatory to all ashramas.” He further explains how to observe the vow:  “This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach (green leafy vegetables of the nature)\, in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt (yogurt used as binding agent for cake is allowed)\, and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk (milk sweets\, milk by-products are fine). One should not eat fish or other non-vegetarian food during the month of Kartik. Masura dal and urad dal being high in protein is also considered non-vegetarian.” Thus during caturmasya one should practice to give up all food intended for sense enjoyment. However\, maha-prasad\, though containing restricted item can be honoured!\n \nIt is stated in Hari Bhakti Vilasa 15/113 that ‘after properly praying to the Supreme Lord near Him\, one should properly take a vow to follow the proper rules and regulations and process of caturmasya to increase one’s devotion to Lord Sri Krishna.’\n \n\nSo please take this opportunity and engage yourself yourselves in the service of the Lord with much enthusiasm and make your life sublime.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/fourth-month-of-caturmasya-begins-18th-oct-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241018
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240910T111821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T062035Z
UID:37661-1729123200-1729209599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Murari Gupta 17th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Murari Gupta was a lifelong associate of Lord Caitanya. He served Lord Caitanya in all of the Lord’s Navadvipa pastimes. \nBy profession a doctor\, Murari Gupta freed his patients not only from their physical ailments but also from the contamination of the material energy. Murari Gupta is considered an incarnation of Hanuman\, the eternal servant of Lord Ramacandra.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-sri-murari-gupta-17th-oct-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Murari.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241018
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240910T111744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T062029Z
UID:37660-1729123200-1729209599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Laksmi Puja 17th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Laksmi Puja means worship of Laksmi Devi\, the consort of Lord Visnu  Goddess Laxmi is said to have emerged from the ocean of milk at Diwali. On that day\, Laxmi puja was performed to honour Her and as such\, every year at Diwali\, She is worshipped and offered prayers (not observed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas).
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/laksmi-puja-17th-oct-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Laxmi-Puja.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241018
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240910T105720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T062024Z
UID:37655-1729123200-1729209599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra 17th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Lord Krsna’s autumn rasa dance with His girlfriends.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-krsna-saradiya-rasayatra-17th-oct-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/rasayatra.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241016
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240910T105550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T062015Z
UID:37654-1728950400-1729036799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami 15th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Appearing near Katva\, Krishna Dasa Kaviraja left for Vrindavana after Lord Nityananda told him in a dream: are are krishnadasa\, na karaha bhaya\, Vrindavana yaha tanha\, sarva larya haya\, “0 my dear Krishnadasa\, do not be afraid.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-krsnadasa-kaviraja-goswami-15th-oct-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kaviraja.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241016
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240910T105407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T062008Z
UID:37653-1728950400-1729036799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami 15th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami\, one of the six Goswamis of Vrndavana\, was ordered by Lord Caitanya to go to Vrndavana and there constantly chant the Hare Krsna mantra.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-raghunatha-bhatta-goswami-15th-oct-2024/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241016
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240910T105137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T062001Z
UID:37652-1728950400-1729036799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami 15th Oct 2024
DESCRIPTION:Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami \, one of the six Goswamis\, at a young age renounced his beautiful wife and opulent home to join Lord Caitanya and His sankirtana movement.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-raghunatha-dasa-goswami-15th-oct-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Srila-Raghunatha.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241014
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241015
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240909T113452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T061956Z
UID:37644-1728864000-1728950399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Pasankusa Mahadvadashi 14th October 2024
DESCRIPTION:Yudhishthira Maharaj said\, Oh Madhusudana\, what is the name of the Ekadashi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Ashvina (September October)? Please be merciful and disclose this truth to me.”\nThe Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied\, “Oh king\, please listen as I explain the glories of this Ekadashi Pasankusa Ekadashi which removes all sins. On this day one should worship the Deity of Padmanabha\, the lotus naveled \nLord Vishnu\, according to the rules of archana viddhi (regulations). By so doing\, one achieves whatever heavenly pleasures one may want in this world\, and at last attains liberation from this world thereafter. Simply by offering one’s humbly obeisances unto Lord Vishnu\, the rider of Garuda\, one can achieve the same merit as is gained by performing great penances for a long time restraining and controlling the senses. Although a person might have committed unlimited and abominable sins\, he can still escape hellish punishment just by paying his obeisances to Lord Sri Hari\, the taker away of all sin.” \n“The merits gained by going on pilgrimage to the Holy Tirthas of this earthly planet can also be achieved simply by chanting the Holy names of Lord Vishnu. Whosoever chants these sacred names such as Rama\, Vishnu\, Janardana or Krishna especially on Ekadashi\, never sees Yamaraj\, the king of death’s punishing abode. Nor does such a devotee who fasts on Pasankusa Ekadashi\, which is very dear to Me\, see that plutonic abode.” \n“Both the Vaishnava who criticises Lord Shiva and the Shaivite (Saivite) who criticises Me certainly go to hell. The merit obtained by performing one hundred horse sacrifices and one hundred Rajasurya sacrifices is not even equal to one sixteenth of the merit a devotee is able to attain by fasting on Ekadashi. There is no higher merit one can achieve than that attained by fasting on Ekadashi. Indeed\, nothing in all the three worlds is as pleasing or as able to purify one of accumulated sin as Ekadashi\, the day of the lotus-naveled Lord\, Padmanabha. \n“O king\, until a person observes a fast on the day of Lord Padmanabha named Pasankusa Ekadashi\, he remains sinful\, and the reactions of his past sinful activities never leave him like a chaste wife. There is no merit in all the three worlds that can match the merit that one gains by observing a fast on this Ekadashi. Whosoever observes it faithfully never has to see death personified\, Lord Yamaraj. One who desires liberation\, elevation to the heavens\, good health\, beautiful women\, wealth\, and food grains should simply fast on this Pasankusa Ekadashi. O king\, neither the Ganges\, Gaya\, Kashi\, nor Pushkara\, nor even the Holy site of Kurukshetra\, can grant as much auspicious merit as this Pasankusa Ekadashi. \n“O Maharaj Yudhishthira\, protector of the earth\, after observing ekadasi during the daytime\, the devotee should remain awake through the night\, absorbed in hearing\, chanting and serving the lord for by so doing he easily attains to the Supreme abode of Lord Vishnu. Not only that\, but ten generations of ancestors on his mother’s side\, ten generations on his father’s side\, and ten generations on his wife’s side are all liberated by a single observance of a fast on this Ekadashi. All these ancestors attain their original\, four armed transcendental Vaikuntha forms. Wearing yellow garments and beautiful garlands\, they ride to the spiritual realm on the back of Garuda\, the renown great enemy of the snakes. This is the benediction My devotee earns simply by observing one Pasankusa Ekadashi properly. \n“O best of kings\, whether one is a child\, a youth\, or in old age\, fasting on Pasankusa Ekadashi frees him from all sins and makes him immune to suffering a hellish rebirth. Whosoever observes a fast on the Pasankusa Ekadashi becomes free of all his sins and returns to the spiritual abode of Lord Sri Hari. Whosoever donates gold\, sesame seeds\, fertile land\, cows\, grain\, drinking water\, an umbrella\, or a pair of shoes on this most auspicious of Holy days will never have to visit the abode of Yamaraj\, who always punishes the sinners. But if a resident of earth fails to perform spiritual deeds\, especially the observance of a fast on days such as Ekadashi\, his breathing is said to be no better\, or of as much use as the breathing/puffing of a blacksmith’s bellows. \n“O best of the kings\, especially on this Pasankusa Ekadashi\, even the poor should first bathe and then give some charity according to their means\, and perform other auspicious activities in accordance with their ability. \n“Whosoever performs sacrifices and benefits the people\, or builds public ponds\, resting places\, gardens\, or houses does not suffer the punishments of Yamaraj. Indeed\, one should understand that a person much have performed such pious activities as these in the past life if he is long lived\, wealthy\, of high birth\, or free from all diseases. But a person who observes Pasankusa Ekadashi goes to the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, Vishnu.) \nLord Sri Krishna then concluded\, “Thus\, Oh saintly Yudhishthira\, I have narrated to you the glories of the auspicious Pasankusa Ekadashi.” \nThus ends the narration of the glories of the Pasankusa Ekadashi\, or Ashwina-shukla Ekadashi\, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/pasankusa-mahadvadashi-14th-october-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241013
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241014
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240909T113242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T061950Z
UID:37643-1728777600-1728863999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Madhvacharya 13th October 2024
DESCRIPTION:Madhvacharya is the principal acharya\, or spiritual teacher\, in in the Brahma-sampradaya\, the Vaisnava disciplic line from which the Gaudiya sampradaya descends. \nHe was born in Udupi\, South India\, in the early thirteenth century. At the age of five he took initiation and at the age of twelve left home to take sannyasa. Madhvacharya studied the Vedas under the compiler of the Vedas\, Vyasadeva\, in the Himalayas. Madhvacharya’s Vedanta- sutra commentary Purnaprajna-bhasya establishes the doctrine known as Suddha-dvaita-vada. Madhva used his erudite scholarship to crush the Mayavada (impersonalistic) philosophy and establish devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (See Sri Caitanya-caritamrta\, Madhya-lila 9.245.)
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-madhvacharya-13th-october-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Madhvacharya.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241013
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241014
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240909T113126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T061930Z
UID:37642-1728777600-1728863999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Ramacandra Vijayotsava 13th October 2024
DESCRIPTION:Lord Ramacandra’s victory over the demon Ravana. A large effigy of Ravana is ceremoniously burned.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/ramacandra-vijayotsava-13th-october-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ram.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241010
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241011
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240909T113005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T061924Z
UID:37641-1728518400-1728604799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Durga Puja 10th October 2024
DESCRIPTION:Durga Puja is one of the significant Hindu festivals\, celebrated with much joy in the entire country. \nThe occasion marks the occassion of Lord Rama and brother Lakshman approaching Mother Durga to ask her for her blessings in His planned attack on the demon Ravana. It is therefore considered that the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s approaching her for blessings to remove material impediments to His spiritual goals should be the approach of the humble devotee of the Lord to clinche the important triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king\, Ravana\, the victory of good over evil.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/durga-puja-10th-october-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Durga-Puja.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240928
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240929
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T133727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T061918Z
UID:37538-1727481600-1727567999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Indira Ekadasi 28th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:The delightful exultations of Indira Ekadasi are described in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana in the conversation between Sri Krsna and Maharaja Yudhisthira. Maharaja Yudhisthira enquired: “O Krsna! O Madhusudana! O Killer of the demon Madhu! What is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the waning moon in the month of Asvina (September/October)\, what is the process for following this sublime vrata (vow)\, and what merit is obtained by observing it?” \nLord Krsna replied\, “The name of this sacred and clement Ekadasi is Indira Ekadasi. By Observing this Ekadasi the sinful reactions of all one’s forbearers as well as one’s own sinful reactions are entirely eradicated. \n“O King! There was once a regal and prosperous king named Indrasena\, who lived in Satya-Yuga. He was very expert in subduing his enemies and ruled his kingdom with great compassion. Surrounded by his children and grandchildren\, he lived happily in his city of Mahismatipuri. He was always attached to the devotional service of Lord Visnu. Being a devotee constantly absorbed in cultivating and distributing spiritual knowledge\, the king spent his time chanting the holy names of Sri Govinda\, the bestower of liberation. \n“One day as the King was happily sitting on his royal throne\, Sri Narada Muni suddenly appeared before him from the sky. Upon seeing the sage Narada\, King Indrasena rose up with folded palms and offered his respectful obeisances unto him. The King then duly worshipped Narada Muni with sixteen ingredients. Once the sage was happily seated\, he asked Indrasena\, “O great King is everyone happy and prosperous in your kingdom? Is your mind fixed in religious principles\, and are you engaged in devotional service to Visnu?” \n“The King replied\, O best of sages! Everything is well and auspicious by your kind mercy. Today my life has become successful by your darsana and my performance of sacrifices has born fruit. O sage among the demigods! Please tell me the cause of your blessed visit.” \n“After hearing these humble words of the King\, Narada Muni said: ‘O lion-like King! Now hear about a wonderfully fortunate incident that took place\, prior to my arrival. O best of Kings! Once I went to the abode of Yamaraja from the abode of Lord Brahma\, Yamaraja greeted me respectfully and worshipped me with great pomp and fervour. After being comfortably seated\, I offered prayers to the pious and truthful Yamaraja. Then I saw your greatly pious father in the assembly of Yamaraja. As a result of breaking a vow\, your father had to go there. O King! He gave me a message and requested me to convey it unto you. He said\, ‘Indrasena\, the king of Mahismatipuri\, is my son. O Lord\, please tell him that due to some sinful activities committed in my previous life I am now living in the abode of the Lord of death! Yamaraja! Therefore\, in order to free me from my fate\, he should observe the vow of Ekadasi known as Indira Ekadasi\, and give away it’s piety to me. Then I will be released from my present condition of life.’ Narada Muni continued\, ‘O King This is your father’s request\, in order to deliver your father to the spiritual world\, you should observe the vow of Indira Ekadasi.’ \n“King Indrasena said: ‘O sage amongst the demigods\, kindly explain to me the procedure for following this Indira Ekadasi.’ Narada Muni replied: “On the day before Ekadasi one should take bath early in the morning and with faith and enthusiasm offer oblations to the forfathers\, for their satisfaction. On that day one should eat only once and sleep on the floor at night. On the day of Ekadasi one should rise early in the morning\, brush his teeth\, wash his hands and mouth and take bath. Thereafter he should take a vow to not indulge in any material enjoyment and thus observe a total fast. He should also pray to the Lord\, saying ‘O lotus-eyed one\, I take shelter of you.’ \n“Thereafter he should feed the brahmanas with sumptuous prasadam and give them daksina. At the end one should give the prasadi remnants to the cows. During the day one should worship Lord Hrsikesa by offering sandalwood paste\, flowers\, incense\, lamp and foodstuffs with devotion. One should remain awake throughout the night while chanting\, hearing and remembering the names\, forms\, qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should then breakfast at the appropriate time by eating along with his brothers\, children\, grandchildren and relatives while maintaining silence. O King! If you follow this Ekadasi as I have just described\, then your father will certainly attain the abode of Visnu.’ After speaking in this way\, Narada Muni\, took his leave and departed. \n“As per the instructions of Narada Muni\, King Indrasena strictly observed this Ekadasi accompanied by his children\, servants and others. As a result of observing this Ekadasi\, flowers showered from the sky and the father of King Indrasena immediately rode on the back of Garuda to abode of Lord Visnu. Then the saintly King Indrasena ruled his kingdom without any impediment\, and at the end of his life he entrusted the kingdom to his son and personally returned to the spiritual world. Such are the unsurmountable glories of Indira Ekadasi. Anyone who reads of hears the narration for this Ekadasi becomes free from all sinful reactions and ultimately returns to the abode of Visnu.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/indira-ekadasi-28th-sept-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240924
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240925
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T133621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T061912Z
UID:37536-1727136000-1727222399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA 24th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:Srila Prabhupada arrived in Boston on September 17\, 1965.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-prabhupadas-arrival-in-the-usa-24th-sept-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Srila-Prabhupada’s-Departure-for-the-USA-4th-August-2020.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240918
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240919
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T133400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T121156Z
UID:37534-1726617600-1726703999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Third Month of Caturmasya Begins
DESCRIPTION:Third month: No milk (if required\, it can be mixed with a drop of lemon juice). \nCaturmasya stands for ‘four months’. It is the period between sayana and uttana ekadasis. The scriptures refer to this period as the duration of Lord Visnu’s sleep in this universe. \nThe main goal of observing Caturmasya is to decrease attachment to material things and to increase devotion to Krishna.\n \nSrila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrta\, “Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grihasta or a sanyasi. The observation is obligatory to all ashramas.” He further explains how to observe the vow:  “This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach (green leafy vegetables of the nature)\, in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt (yogurt used as binding agent for cake is allowed)\, and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk (milk sweets\, milk by-products are fine).\n \nOne should not eat fish or other non-vegetarian food during the month of Kartik. Masura dal and urad dal being high in protein is also considered non-vegetarian.” Thus during caturmasya one should practice to give up all food intended for sense enjoyment. However\, maha-prasad\, though containing restricted item can be honoured!\n \nIt is stated in Hari Bhakti Vilasa 15/113 that ‘after properly praying to the Supreme Lord near Him\, one should properly take a vow to follow the proper rules and regulations and process of caturmasya to increase one’s devotion to Lord Sri Krishna.’\n \n\nSo please take this opportunity and engage yourself yourselves in the service of the Lord with much enthusiasm and make your life sublime.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/third-month-of-caturmasya-begins/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/third.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240918
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240919
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T122820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T121149Z
UID:37532-1726617600-1726703999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Acceptance of Sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada 18th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:“One night\, Abhay had an unusual dream. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta appeared before him\, beckoning. He was asking Abhay to leave home and take sannyasa. Abhay awoke in an intensely emotional state\, “How horrible!” He thought. He knew it was not an ordinary dream\, yet the request seemed so difficult and unlikely. Take sannyasa! At least it was not something he could do immediately. Now he had to improve the business\, and with the profits he would print books. He went on with his duties\, but remained shaken by the dream.” (Satwarup Goswami. 1980. Prabhupada Lilamrta. Page 118.) \nIn 1948\, Abhay closed his Lucknow factory. He had fallen behind in employees’ salaries\, and since 1946 he had been paying past rent in installments. But when sales dropped off\, continuing the factory became impossible. He lost everything. \nSrila Prabhupada: I started a big factory in Lucknow. Those were golden days. My business flourished like anything. Everything in the chemical business knew. But then\, gradually\, everything dwindled. \nWith the help of some acquaintances in Allahabad\, he opened a small factory there\, in the same city where his Prayag Pharmacy had failed fifteen years before. He moved to Allahabad with his son Brindaban and continued manufacturing medicines. While the rest of the family remained at Banerjee Lane in Calcutta\, Abhay continued his travelling; but now he was often sway for months at a time. \nAnd then he had the dream a second time. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati appeared before him; again he was beckoning\, indicating that Abhay should take sannyasa. And again Abhay had to put the dream aside. He was a householder with many responsibilities. To take sannyasa would mean to give up everything. He had to earn money. He now had five children. “Why is Guru Maharaj asking me to take sannyasa?” he thought. It is not possible now. \nThe Allahabad business was unsuccessful. “At present\, the condition of our business is not good\,” he wrote his servant Gouranga\, who had asked to rejoin him. “When the condition gets better and if you are free at that time I will call for you.” He worked earnestly\, but results were meagre.\nAs with everything else\, Abhay saw his present circumstances through the eyes of scripture. And he could not help but think of the verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam: \nyasyAham anugrihnriAmi\nharishye tad-dhanaM shanaiH\ntato ‘dhanaM tyajanty asya\nsva-janA duHkha-duHkhitam \n“When I feel especially merciful towards someone\, I gradually take away all his material possessions. His friends and relatives then reject this poverty-stricken and most wretched fellow”. \nHe had heard Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati quote this verse\, and now he thought of it often. He took it that his present circumstances were controlled by Lord Sri Krishna\, who was forcing him into a helpless position\, freeing him for preaching Krishna consciousness. \nSrila Prabhupada: Somehow or other\, my intention for preaching the message of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu increased\, and the other side decreased. I was not disinclined\, but Krishna forced me: “You must give it up.” The history is known – how it decreased\, decreased\, decreased. \nIn the Srimad Bhagavatam\, Queen Kunti had also prayed\, “My dear Lord Krishna\, Your Lordship can easily be approached\, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of (material) progress\, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage\, great opulence\, high education\, and bodily beauty\, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.” \nSrila Prabhupada: So in 1950 I retired\, practically. Not retired\, but a little in touch with business – whatever is going on. Then almost it became nil. Whatever was there\, all right. You do whatever you like. (Satwarup Goswami. 1980. Prabhupada Lilamrta. Pages 140-141.) \nOne night Abhay had a striking dream\, the same dream he had had several times before\, during his days as a householder. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati appeared\, just as Abhay had known him\, the tall\, scholarly sannyasi\, coming directly from the spiritual world\, from Krishna’s personal entourage. He called to Abhay and indicated that he should follow. Repeatedly he called and motioned. He was asking Abhay to take sannyasa. Come\, he urged\, become a sannyasi. \nAbhay awoke in a state of wonder. He thought of this instruction as another feature of the original instruction Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had given him at their first meeting in Calcutta\, the same instruction that his spiritual master had later solidified in a letter; become an English preacher and spread Krishna consciousness throughout the Western world. Sannyasa was for that end; otherwise\, why would his spiritual master have asked him to accept it? Abhay reasoned that his spiritual master was saying\, “Now take sannyasa and you will actually be able to accomplish this mission. Formerly the time was not right.” \nAbhay deliberated cautiously. By accepting sannyasa\, a Vaishnava dedicates his body\, mind and words totally to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, renouncing all other engagements. He was doing that already. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had offered sannyasa to his leading disciples so that they could continue his mission; they hadn’t done it. Preaching in the West had proved perilous even for the Gaudiya Math’s most recognised sannyasis. How could he\, a mere householder\, presume he could succeed where the others had failed? He was hesitant. The helpless\, incapable feeling he had expressed in his “Viraha-ashtaka” was there. But now his spiritual master was beckoning him – over all other considerations\, even over natural humility. Now\, although he was elderly and alone\, the desire to preach just as his spiritual master had preached remained within him\, a fierce though sometimes quietly expressed determination. \nThe Vedik standard and the example set by the previous acharyas was that if one wanted to lead a preaching movement\, sannyasa was required. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had taken sannyasa to facilitate his missionary work. Lord Chaitanya had taken sannyasa to further his sankirtan movement. Of course\, Lord Chaitanya was the Supreme Personality of godhead\, but when His young students had been disrespectful towards Him\, treating Him as an ordinary man\, He had taken sannyasa. Because a sannyasi is automatically respected\, Lord Chaitanya’s acceptance of sannyasa was a calculated tactic; as son as He began travelling throughout India as a sannyasi\, he immediately attracted thousands of followers to the sankirtan movement. \nKnowing that many cheaters would accept the saffron dress and abuse the respect given to sannyasis\, Lord Chaitanya had advised against accepting sannyasa in the Age of Kali-yuga. He knew that cheaters\, in the guise of sadhus\, would act immorally\, accumulate funds for their own sense gratification\, and make many followers simply to enhance their own prestige. Posing as swamis\, they would cheat the public. Because the people in Kali-yuga are unable to follow the rules and regulations of sannyasa\, Lord Chaitanya had recommended that they simply chant Hare Krishna. However\, if a person could actually follow the rules\, and especially if he had to spread the sankirtan movement\, sannyasa was necessary. \nAbhay first had to approach one of his Godbrothers for permission. He decided to turn to Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj (formerly Kunjavihari) the leader of the Chaitanya Math in Calcutta. Abhay still thought of the Caitanya Math as the headquarters of his spiritual master’s mission. During the heated legal disputes\, the Chaitanya Math had been the most prized acquisition\, and since 1948 it had been under the legal ownership of Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj. Now\, although each sannyasi had his own place or places\, the Chaitanya Math and Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj legally represented the Gaudiya Math entity. Abhay felt that if he were to take sannyasa and go preach in America\, he should give the Chaitanya Math the first opportunity to support the work. In April 1959\, Abhay wrote to Tirtha Maharaj\, inquiring about sannyasa as well as about the Chaitanya Math’s printing some of his manuscripts. And since no one was going abroad\, he volunteered to do so on behalf of the Chaitanya Math. \nBhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj replied that Abhay should first join the Caitanya Math. He mentioned the strife that still lingered; “Those who are against Chaitanya Math\, they are motivated by their individual ambitions.” Anyone who was against the Chaitanya Math\, he said was acting illogically and against the instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. So according to Tirtha Maharaj\, the thing for Abhay to do\, the thing he had neglected to do for so many years\, was to join the Chaitanya Math and act under his direction. Tirtha Maharaj mentioned several members of the Chaitanya Math who had recently accepted the sannyasa order\, and he said that Abhay could become one – in time. He invited Abhay to come reside at the Chaitanya Math; “The house that we have\, there are rooms that are airy and well lit. We will treat you exclusively. There won’t be any difficulty. We will take care that no inconveniences are caused”. But as for printing books: \nWe are eagerly awaiting to print the books like Satsandarbha\, Vedanta\, based on devotional service\, and many other rare books by the Goswamis. First we will print them. Books written by you will be checked by the editorial staff\, and if the funds can be raised\, then they can be printed according to priority. The books will be printed only if they are favourable for the service of the Chaitanya Math. Therefore\, if the fund is raised\, then there is a plan to go abroad as well. \nAbhay was not encouraged. The main difficulty\, he felt\, was the Chaitanya Math’s shortage of funds.\nSrila Prabhupada: I was working with my broken typewriter. I went to our Tirtha Maharaj: “You give me a room and print my books. Give me some money. I will join you.” I had thought\, “This is Guru Maharaj’s institution.” He did not say no\, but the printing of books was a difficult task for him. He had no money. He was hardly collecting for maintaining. Printing of books is a big job\, and there is no guarantee of sale. \nWithout printing books and going to the West\, sannyasa did not have meaning for Abhay. And who knew when Tirtha Maharaj would sanction his taking sannyasa? There was no point in going to Calcutta just to reside in an airy\, well-lit room; that he had already in Vrindavan. Abhay wrote back to Tirtha Maharaj\, mentioning his direct order from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta to preach to the English-speaking people. He wanted to go to the West right away\, and he had thought that Chaitanya Math would welcome his offer. Both Abhay and tirtha Maharaj had their responsibilities\, but perhaps they could work together to carry out the desire of their spiritual master. Abhay asked Tirtha Maharaj to reconsider.. On May 7th\, 1959\, Bhaktivilas Tirtha Maharaj wrote back. \nMy suggestion is don’t make any hasty decisions. For the time being you stay with us and engage yourself in the service of the society and then accept tridandi (sannyasa). The purpose of accepting tridandi is to serve the society.\nIf that is your desire\, then Sri Chaitanya Math will decide about your going to America to preach and make all the arrangements. It can never be the principle of the society to let one act according to his individual attempt or desire. The society will decide after consulting with the heads what is to be done by whom. That is what I want to say. First of all\, it is necessary to identify oneself with the society. \nIn order to preach in America or in other foreign countries\, it is important to have a dignified organisation in the background and secondly it is necessary to establish one’s self in India before going to preach in the foreign countries. \nNow it is that there are no conferences or meetings in the West as before. Communication is done through the media of television. \nAbhay could understand the needs and priorities of the Chaitanya Math\, but he could not allow them to overrule what he considered the highest mandate; preaching as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had ordered. Abhay had offered his services to the leaders of the Chaitanya Math\, thinking they might also see things his way. He thought that with the world’s crying need for Krishna consciousness staring them in the face\, they might see that this Abhay Babu was convinced and enthusiastic and so should be sent right away with whatever he required. But they had other priorities.\nAbhay next turned to Keshava Maharaj in Mathura\, and Keshava Maharaj told Abhay to take sannyasa immediately. After corresponding with Tirtha Maharaj\, Abhay had felt some uncertainty about accepting sannyasa\, and now that he was being encouraged so strongly\, he resisted. But Keshava Maharaj was insistent. \nSrila Prabhupada: I was sitting alone in Vrindavana\, writing. My Godbrother insisted to me “Bhaktivedanta Prabhu\, you must do it. Without accepting the renounced order of life\, nobody can become a preacher.” So he insisted. Not he insisted: practically my spiritual master insisted. He wanted me to become a preacher\, so he forced me through this Godbrother: “You accept.” So\, unwillingly I accepted. \nKeshavaji Gaudiya Math was located in the midst of one of Mathura’s downtown bazaars. Its main entrance\, an arched doorway\, led into a courtyard\, open to the sky through a metal grating above. The architecture was similar to that of the Vamshi-gopalaji temple. The atmosphere was secluded\, as in a monastery. Abhay was a familiar\, welcomed figure here. He had lived here\, written and studied in the library here\, edited the Gaudiya Patrika\, and donated the Deity of Lord Chaitanya who stood on the altar beside the Deities of Radha and Krishna (Sri Sri Radha Vinodavihariji). But his visit during September of 1959 was not an ordinary one. He entered the matha dressed in white\, Abhay Babu\, but he would soon be leaving dressed in saffron\, a swami. \nAbhay had been living as a renunciate for nine years; there was no need for him to observe a ceremony or to proclaim himself a sadhu by changing to saffron dress. But it was the parampara system that a man take tridandi-sannyasa at the end of his life. He was aware of the cheating sannyasis; even in Vrindavana he had seen so-called sadhus who did not preach but simply spent their days hunting for chapatis. Some “swamis” of Vrindavana even indulged illicitly in what they had supposedly come here to reject: sex life. Such persons were making a mockery of sannyasa. And there were the caste goswamis also\, who lived like ordinary householders\, running temples as a business to support their families and accepting honour and donations from the public on the false basis of birth. Abhay knew of these abuses of sannyasa\, but he also knew the real purpose of sannyasa. Sannyasa was for preaching. \nOn the morning of September 17th 1959\, in the fifty-by-twenty-five-foot Deity room on the second floor of the Keshavaji Math\, a group of devotees sat before the Deities of Radha-Krishna and Lord Chaitanya. The Deities were colourfully dressed in royal clothing and silver crowns. Radharani’s right hand faced palm-forward in benediction for the worshipper; at Her side\, Her left hand held a flower for Krishna. Krishna stood like a dancer\, placing His right leg in a casual tiptoe pose before His left\, playing His long silver flute\, which He held gracefully to His red lips. His long black hair reached down past His shoulders\, and the garland of marigolds around his neck reached down to His knees. On His right stood the Deity of Lord Chaitanya\, His right arm raised\, left arm at His side\, His body straight\, feet together. He was a soft golden colour\, and He had large eyes\, a well-formed red mouth\, and straight black hair down to his shoulders. One level below the Deities were pictures of the spiritual masters in disciplic succession: Jagannath dasa Babaji\, Bhaktivinoda Thakura\, Gaurakishora dasa Babaji\, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati\, Bhaktiprajnana Keshava Maharaj. \nAbhay sat on a mat of kusha grass beside ninety-year old Sanatana\, also to receive sannyasa that day. Sitting opposite the two candidates\, Narayana Maharaj\, Keshava Maharaja’s disciple\, prepared to conduct the ceremony of mantras and offerings of grains and ghee into the fire. Akinchana Krishnadasa Babaji\, Abhay’s Godbrother\, known for sweet singing\, played mrdanga and sang Vaishnava bhajanas. Sitting on a raised asana\, His Holiness B.P. Keshava Maharaj presided. Since there had been no notices or invitations\, only the matha’s few residents attended. \nNarayan Maharaj chanted the required mantras and then sat back silently while B.P. Keshava Maharaj lectured. Then\, to everyone’s surprise\, Keshava Maharaj asked Abhay to speak. Abhay had not expected this. As he looked around at the gathering of devotees\, he understood that the common language was Hindi; only Keshava Maharaj and a few others spoke English. Yet he knew he must speak in English. \nAfter Abhay’s speech\, each initiate received his sannyasa-danda\, the traditional head-high staff made of four bamboo rods bound together and completely enwrapped in saffron cloth. They were given their sannyasa garments: one piece of saffron cloth for a dhoti\, and one for a top piece (uttara)\, and two strips of cloth for underwear (kaupins). They also received Tulasi neck beads and the sannyasa mantra. Keshava Maharaj said that Abhay would now be known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and that Sanatana would be Muni Maharaj. After the ceremony\, the two new sannyasis posed for a photo\, standing on either side of their sannyasa-guru\, who sat in a chair.\nB.P. Keshava Maharaj didn’t impose any strictures on Abhay; he simply encouraged him to go on preaching. Yet Abhay knew that to become A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami did not mean merely that he was giving up family\, home comforts\, and business. That he had done five years ago. Changing from white cloth to saffron cloth\, from Abhay Babu to Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj\, had a special significance: it was only a matter of time before Bhaktivedanta Swami would travel to the West as Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had ordained. This was Bhaktivedanta Swami’s realization of his new sannyasa status. \nThe Gaudiya Patrika’s account of the sannyasa initiation included a biographical sketch of Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj\, listing the major events of his life. The article concluded: \nSeeing his enthusiasm and ability to write articles in Hindi\, English and Bengali\, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaj gave him the instruction to take tridandi-sannyasa. For nearly one year he had been ready to accept sannyasa. In the month of Bhadra\, on the day on which Vishvarupa accepted sannyasa\, Bhaktivedanta Swami at the Sri Keshavaji Gaudiya Math accepted sannyasa from the founder of the Vedanta Samiti\, Bhaktiprajnana Keshava Maharaj. Seeing him accept his ashram of renunciation\, seeing this pastime for accepting the renounced order of life\, we have attained great affection and enthusiasm.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/acceptance-of-sannyasa-by-srila-prabhupada-18th-sept-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240918
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240919
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T121950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T121139Z
UID:37527-1726617600-1726703999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava 18th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:Today is a very sacred day in our line. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa and began to search for his brother Visvarupa. While searching\, on this day He found out that he was in Pandarapur\, and that he had left his body. He had taken samadhi on the bank of the river Bhima. Then\, on this day\, though Mahaprabhu was observing Caturmasya-vrata very strictly for four months\, He shaved his hair. Before this year\, He never shaved for these four months\, nor did He cut his nails. He observed all the rules and regulations of Caturmasya.\n \nIt is said that Sankararanya was the sannyasa name of Srila Visvarupa\, who was the elder brother of Visvambhara (the original name of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu). Sankararanya expired in 1432 Sakabda (A.D. 1510) at Sholapur\, where there is a place of pilgrimage known as Pandarapura. This is referred to in the Madhya-lila\, Chapter Nine\, verses 299 and 300.\n \n(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 10:106 purport.)\nVisvarupa was the elder brother of Gaurahari\, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When arrangements were being made for the marriage of Visvarupa\, He took sannyasa and left home. He took the sannyasa name of Sankararanya. In 1431 Sakabda Era (A.D. 1509)\, He disappeared in Pandarapura\, in the district of Sholapur. As an incarnation of Sankarshana\, He is both the ingredient and immediate cause of the creation of this material world. He is nondifferent from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu\, for the amsa and the amsi\, or the part and the whole\, are not different. As an incarnation of Sankarshana\, Visvarupa belongs to the quadruple manifestation of catur-vyuha. In the Gaura-candrodaya it is said that Visvarupa\, after His so-called demise\, remained mixed within Sri Nityananda Prabhu. \n(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 13:74 purport.) \nataeva prabhu tanre bale\, ‘bada bhai’\nkrishna\, balarama dui——caitanya\, nitai\nTRANSLATION\nBecause Maha-sankarshana is the ingredient and efficient cause of the cosmic manifestation\, He is present in every detail of it. Lord Caitanya therefore called Him His elder brother. The two brothers are known as Krishna and Balarama in the spiritual world\, but at the present moment they are Caitanya and Nitai. Therefore the conclusion is that Nityananda Prabhu is the original Sankarshana\, Baladeva.\n \n(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 13:78 text and translation.)\nRead Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya lila 7th chapter.\nsannyasa kari’ visvarupa giyache dakshine\navasya kariba ami tanra anveshane\n \nTRANSLATION\n“My elder brother\, Visvarupa\, has taken sannyasa and gone to South India. Now I must go search for Him.”\najna deha\, avasya ami dakshine caliba\ntomara ajnate sukhe leuti’ asiba’\n \nTRANSLATION\n“Please permit Me to go\, for I must tour South India. With your permission\, I shall soon return very happily.”\nsuni’ sarvabhauma haila atyanta katara\ncarane dhariya kahe vishada-uttara\n \nTRANSLATION\nUpon hearing this\, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya became very much agitated. Catching hold of the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu\, he gave this sorrowful reply.\nbhattacarya-sange ara yata nija-gana\njagannatha pradakshina kari’ karila gamana
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-visvarupa-mahotsava-18th-sept-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240917
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240918
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T121537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240918T084913Z
UID:37526-1726531200-1726617599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Haridasa Thakura 17th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:Sri Haridas Thakur appeared in this world in the village of Buron\, in the present district of Sat-kira\, which was previously a sub-division of Khulna\, Bangladesh. By this great fortune that land has been blessed\, in that the chanting of the Holy Names of Hari-Nam Sankirtan\, became revealed there. After remaining there for some time\, he came to the banks of Ganga at Fulia\, near Santipur. Advaita Acarya was overjoyed to get his association and roared very loudly. The two of them thus began to float in the waves of the mellows of pastimes of Sri Krsna – Govinda. [C. B. Adi 16.18]\nSri Haridas Thakur is an eternally liberated associate of the Lord. The associates of the Lord are worshipable wherever they make their appearance. Just as Garuda appeared as a bird\, and Hanuman as a monkey\, Haridas Thakur appeared in a family of Yavanas (Mohammedans). From his very birth he was very deeply devoted to the Holy Names of Sri Krsna. \nWhen he came to live by the banks of the Ganges\, Advaita Acarya was very happy to get his association. The brahmana residents of Fulia were very pleased to see how he worshipped the Holy Name\, and they used to come everyday to have his darshan. Gradually word began to spread of his glories. When the Mohammedan administrator came to know of all this he began to burn with malice and went to the local Mohammedan king to inform him\, “Though he is Mohammedan\, he behaves as a Hindu\, are therefore he should be brought here for trial.” Hearing the words of that sinful man\, the local king who was also very sinful\, had Hari das Thakur brought there immediately. [C. B. Adi 16.37]. \nThe Mohammedan King told Haridas\, “Just give up this chanting and say the Kalma (prayer of the Mohammedans).” \nHaridasa Thakura replied\, “The Supreme Lord is one\, though His names might be different. The Hindu shastras are the Puranas and the Muslim sastra is the Koran. Everyone acts as he is inspired by the Lord\, as also do I. Some yavanas become Hindus and some Hindus become yavanas\, to worship the Lord. O Maharaja\, you can now judge me.” \nHearing these words the Kazi replied that it would be necessary to punish him. Hearing the decree of the Kazi\, the Muluk pati addressed Haridasa\, “My brother\, just follow your own religion. Then you will have nothing to worry about. Otherwise you will have to be punished.” \nIn reply to this Haridasa Thakura exclaimed\, “Even if you cut my body into pieces\, I will never give up the chanting of Hari nama.” [C. B. Adi 6.94]\nAfter hearing these words of Haridasa spoken with great determination\, the Kazi declared\, “He should be beaten in twenty two market places. If he doesn’t die after this\, then I will know that the learned gentleman speaks the truth.” \nThus having heard the words of the Kazi\, the sinful Muluk pati then ordered that Haridasa Thakura be beaten in twenty two market places. Haridasa remembered the Lord by chanting “Krsna Krsna”\, and in the happiness of that remembrance\, he didn’t feel any bodily inconvenience. [C. B. Adi 16.102]. \nAs the demoniac associates of Hiranyakasipu tried in so many ways to kill Sri Prahlada Maharaja\, but were unsuccessful\, similarly the demoniac Mohammedans\, though they tried to harm Haridasa Thakura\, were unable to do so. Haridasa Thakur was immersed in the nectar of the Name and thus gradually the Mohammedans could understand that he wasn’t an ordinary person. \nThus they humbly submitted to the Thakura\, “Haridasa! We can understand that you are a genuine saintly person. No one can do anything to you. But the Mulukpati won’t understand any of this. Rather he will have our heads.” Hearing their frightened please Haridasa’s external consciousness ceased and he entered into deep meditation on the Lord’s Holy Name. \nThen the Mohammedans carried his body on their shoulders to the Mulukpati\, who surmised that he was dead. Thinking as such he ordered that his body be thrown in the Ganga. Haridasa’s body floated down the Ganga until he reached Fulia ghat\, where he got out of the water and began to loudly chant Hari Nama. Seeing the greatness of Haridasa Thakura\, the Mulukpati became fearful. Along with the other Mohammedans he came there and begged Haridas Thakur to forgive him for his offence. \nConsidering him to be a holy man\, they all offered their salutations and thus were delivered from their offences. Having witnessed the pastimes of the Thakura the devotees were in ecstasy. \nHaridasa Thakur used to chant Hari Nama in a hollowed out cave like hole at the base of a tree. This “cave” still exists near Fulia\, on the banks of the Ganga. One can get there by train from Santipura. Within the roots of this tree also lived a poisonous snake. Being fearful of this snake the devotees couldn’t remain there for very long and one day they mentioned to the Thakura about this snake which was worrying them. Seeing the distress of the devotees Haridasa Thakur called to that snake and spoke to him\, “My dear sir\, if in fact you are residing here\, then I am requesting that you please leave by tomorrow\, otherwise I myself will definitely leave here.” \nHearing these words of the Thakura\, that snake immediately came out of its hole and after offering namaskar to the Thakura\, it went elsewhere. Seeing this pastime\, the devotees were struck with wonder and they developed profound and deep devotion for Haridasa Thakura. \nOne time Haridasa Thakura came to a village within Jessore district named Harinodegram\, which was predominantly inhabited by brahmanas. One day during a religious discussion one puffed brahmana approached Haridasa Thakura and remarked\, “O Haridasa! Why do you chant the holy name loudly? In the scriptures it is recommended to chant within the mind.” In reply Haridasa Thakura told him\, “The birds\, beasts and insects cannot chant themselves\, but if they get to hear Hari Nama then they also become delivered. If one chants only to himself then he delivers only himself\, but if one chants loudly\, the benefit is a hundred times greater. This is the conclusion of the scriptures.” [C. B. Adi 16.180]\nHearing this objective statement of Haridasa Thakura that sinful brahmana couldn’t tolerate it and exclaimed\, “In Kali yuga sudras will recite the shastras\, now I am seeing this with my own eyes.” In answer to this personal insult delivered by that miscreant brahmana\, Haridasa Thakura simply silently walked out of that assembly. Within a few days that brahmana contracted ulcerous leprosy. The result of Vaishnava aparadha became immediately manifest. In Kali yuga\, Raksasas take birth in brahmana families in order to give trouble to the honest\, virtuous people. [C.B. Adi 16.300]\nAnother time\, Haridasa desired to have darshan of the Vaishnavas of Navadwipa. Everyone there became overwhelmed with ecstasy\, to see Haridasa. Adwaita Acarya loved Haridasa as much as His own life and he would offer the first prasadam to Haridasa Thakura (which is to be offered only to high class brahmanas) after performing Pitr-sraddha (worship of his forefathers). \nHaridasa Thakura lived for some time at Benapol\, which was within Jessore district. Every day and night he would chant three hundred thousand Holy Names. At the time\, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu displayed His divine opulences by manifesting Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the courtyard at Srivasa Pandita’s house\, He was calling his dear devotees: “Haridasa! when those Mohammedans were beating you I was ready to destroy them with My Sudarsana Cakra\, but as you were praying for their welfare I was unable to do anything.” [C. B. Madhya 10.42]\nTherefore I accepted their blows on My own body. Just see\, the scars are still here on My body.” Seeing those marks Haridasa fainted in ecstatic love. Regaining his consciousness he began to praise the Lord of his life\, “O Lord Viswambhara\, master of the universe\, please have mercy on this sinner\, who has fallen at Your feet. I have no good qualities and am a vile wretch\, rejected by all classes of men. How can I describe Your divine character?” [C. B. Mad 20.58]\nThakura Haridasa was present during most of the Lord’s pastimes in Nadia\, and when the Lord went to Jagannatha Puri\, Haridasa also went and took up residence there. Everyday\, after attending Lord Jagannath’s mangal arati\, Lord Caitanya would come to see Haridasa Thakura and would bring him some of Lord Jagannath’s prasadam. When Sri Sanatana Goswami and Sri Rupa Goswami would come from Vrindavana to Puri they used to stay with Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa\, in order to maintain the etiquette\, would not go near Lord Jagannatha’s temple but would offer his obeisances to the Cakra on top of the temple\, from a distance. As he was considered to be a Mohammedan by birth\, his presence in the temple would be objectionable to those who were caste conscious. \nMahamaya devi took initiation in the maha-mantra from Haridasa Thakura and Caitanya Mahaprabhu appointed him as the acarya of the Holy Name. His departure from this world\, in the presence of Caitanya Mahaprabhu\, is fully described by Sri Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami in the Antya-lila of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-haridasa-thakura-17th-sept-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240917
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240918
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T121307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240918T084907Z
UID:37525-1726531200-1726617599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Ananta Caturdasi Vrata : Appearance Day of Padmanabha 17th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:There are no indications that Gaudiya Vaisnavas perform any extra functions or austerities for this vrata. \nThe fourteenth day in the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada is known as anantana vrata.The Lord Ananta Padmanabha is invoked in a pot filled with water and decorated with coconut and flowers. Special puja is celebrated with fourteen varieties of dishes. \nOf all the vratas assigned to caturdasi\, the Anantacaturdasi-vrata (Bhadrapada sukla caturdasi) seems to be the most important and widely observed. It is also called ‘Anantapadmanabha-vrata’. Lord Visnu is believed to have appeared on this day as Padmanabha lying on the couch of Ananta (the thousand-hooded serpent).
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/ananta-caturdasi-vrata-appearance-day-of-padmanabha-17th-sept-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240917
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240905T121121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240917T064343Z
UID:37524-1726444800-1726531199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura 16th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:Sri Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura appeared in 1838 in a wealthy family in the Nadia district\, West Bengal. He revealed that he is an eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by his extraordinary preaching activities and prolific writing. Living as a\, mahabhagavata Vaisnava\, he stayed in the grhasta ashram until the last few years of his life. Then he renounced everything\, accepted babaji\, and entered samadhi\, totally absorbed in the loving service of Gaura-Gadadhara and Radha-Madhava. \n“He had a responsible government position as the District Magistrate (high court judge)\, maintained a Krishna conscious family\, and wrote almost one hundred books on Krishna consciousness. At the same time\, he served the Supreme Lord in so many ways. That is the beauty of his life. After a full day of government service he would sleep four hours\, get up at midnight and write until morning. That was his daily program.” (Srila Prabhupada) \nThakura Bhaktivinoda took Vaisnava diksa from Sri Vipinvihari Goswami in the line of Sri Jahnava Mata. Afterwards\, he received spiritual inspiration and direction from Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji. Holding an exalted government post\, vast erudition\, and spiritual accomplishment never disturbed Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He remained prideless\, always humble\, friendly to all. Charity seekers at his home always left happy and satisfied. A well-wisher to everyone\, he never kept grudges\, even with opponents to his preaching. In fact\, he never spoke a word that would hurt another’s feelings. \n“The Thakura was always courageous and acted for everyone’s welfare. Keeping personal needs to a minimum\, he led the simplest of lives\,” said one pandit. In the following entry from Saranagati\, Srila Bhaktivinoda\, who had all pure divine qualities\, takes the role of a conditioned soul to teach us how to advance in Krishna consciousness: \n“You should always absorb your mind in attentively chanting Krishna’s glories. By performing Krishna kirtana you’ll gain mastery over the mind. Give up all false pride. Always think yourself to be worthless\, destitute\, lower and more humble than straw in the street. Practice forgiveness like the tree. Giving up all violence toward other living beings\, you should maintain them. Throughout your life you should never give anxiety to others. But do good to them\, make them happy\, and forget about your own happiness. \n“Thus when you become a pious good soul by possessing all good qualities\, you should give up desires for fame and honor. And just make your heart humble. Knowing that Lord Sri Krishna lives within all living beings\, you should respect and honor everyone at all times. You will attain virtue by being humble\, merciful\, respecting others\, and renouncing desires for fame and honor. In such a state\, you should sing the glories of the Supreme Lord. Weeping\, Bhaktivinoda submits his prayer at the lotus feet of the Lord. ‘0 Lord\, when will You give me such qualities as these?’ ” \nAlways anxious to use every moment in loving service of Krishna\, he followed a strict austere daily schedule: \n8 p.m.-10 p.m. Rest (two hours)\n10 p.m.-4 a.m. Write\n4 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Rest\n4:30 a.m.-7 a.m. Chant Japa\n7 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Correspondence\n7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Study sastras\n9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Bath\,prasadam (half-liter milk\, fruit\, 2 chapatis)\n10 a.m.-1 p.m. Court Duties\n1 p.m.-2 p.m. Refresh at home\n2 p.m.-5 p.m. Court Duties\n5 p.m.-7 p.m. Translate Sanskrit sastras to Bengali\n7 p.m.-8 p.m. Bath\,prasadam (half-liter milk\, rice\, 2chapatis) \nSummary Daily Schedule: \nSleep 3 hours\nWrite 8.5 hours\nJapa\,study 4.5 hours\nWork 6 hours \nSrinivasa Acarya praises the six Gosvamis of Vrindavana\, nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma samsthakapau\, lokanam hita karinau … “The six Gosvamis deeply studied all the sastras in order to establish eternal religious principles for the benefit of everyone.” Similarly\, Thakura Bhaktivinoda made unlimited preaching contributions to help humanity. And for this he’s known as the “Seventh Gosvami.” \nBiographers list three major preaching achievements of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura: \n(1) Wrote 100 authorized spiritual books. (2) Discovered appearance place of Lord Caitanya. (3) Introduced preaching innovations. Besides books (in Bengali\, Oriya\, English) reviving and explaining Mahaprabhu’s message\, he wrote hundreds of poems and songs full of spiritual sentiments and sastrie siddhanta (philosophical conclusions). \n“His writings have made the sacred teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu fully available to every modern reader. And they are presented in a form which carries irresistable conviction and devotion\,” said a late disciple of Thakura Bhaktivinoda. \nSri Krishna-samhita\, Kalyana Kalpa-taru\, Sri Caitanya-siksamrta\, Sri Navadvipa-dhama mahatmyam\, Jaiva Dharma\, Sri Harinama¬cintamani\, Bhajana-rahasya\, Gita-mala\, Gitavalli\, Saranagati\, and commentaries on Bhagavad-gita and Caitanya-caritamrta are some of his works. The following quote comes from Thakura Bhaktivinoda’s Gitavali: \n“He who has failed to carefully worship the lotus feet of Sri Radhika\, which are the abodes of all auspiciousness. He who has not taken shelter in the transcendental abode of Vrindavana\, which is decorated with the lotus flower named Radha. He who in this life has not associated with the devotees of Radhika\, who are full of wisdom and love for Radhika. How will such a person ever feel the bliss of bathing in the ocean of Lord Syamasundara’s sublime mellows? \n“Please understand this most attentively. Sri Radhika is the teacher of madhurya rasa (mellows of conjugal love). Radha-Madhava madhurya prema is meant to be discussed and meditated upon. He who cherishes the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani obtains the lotus feet of Madhava\, which are priceless jewels. Without taking shelter of Radha’s lotus feet one can never meet Krishna. The Vedic scriptures declare that Krishna is the property of the maidservants of Sri Radha. Give up wife\, sons\, friends\, wealth\, followers\, speculative knowledge\, all materialistic actions. Just become absorbed in the sweetness of serving the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. This is Bhaktivinoda’s solemn declaration.” \nDuring the last five-hundred years\, the original appearance place of Lord Caitanya had vanished under the indomitable Ganges River. In 1888\, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura revealed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s janmasthana at the Yogapitha in Sridhama Mayapur. Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja\, a famous siddha saint\, and paramahamsa rasika Vaisnava\, confirmed the Thakura’s discovery. This most auspicious event delighted the Gaudiya Vaisnavas from Gaura-mandala to Vraja-bhumi. He established the worship of Lord Gauranga and Sri mati Vishnupriya at Yogapitha. \nIn the mood of innovation\, in 1896 he sent to universities around the world a book of slokas\, Sri Gauranga-lila smarana which had a forty-seven page English introduction: “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts.” This act rose from a keen desire to spread Lord Caitanya’s teachings in the Western countries. \nBhaktivinoda Thakura made three predictions concerning a person and a phenomena: “A personality will soon appear\,” wrote Bhaktivinoda Thakura\, “and he will travel all over the world to spread the teachings of Lord Caitanya.” \nHis second prediction: “Very soon the chanting of ‘Harinama sankirtana will be spread all over the world. Oh\, when will that day come when people from America\, England\, France\, Germany\, Russia will take up karatals and mrdangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns?” \nThe third prediction: “When will that day come when the fair-skinned foreigners will come to Sri Mayapur-dhama and join with the Bengali Vaisnavas to chant\, Jaya Sacinandana\, Jaya Sacinandana. When will that day be? ” \nSrila Prabhupada said it’s spiritually significant that he himself appeared in 1896\, the same year Bhaktivinoda Thakura sent his book overseas. The will of Lord Caitanya\, the desire of Thakura Bhaktivinoda\, and the mercy of Srila Sarasvati Thakura empowered Srila A.c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to spread Sri Caitanya’s teachings and the chanting of Hare Krishna all over the world. Prabhupada fulfilled the Thakura’s three predictions! \nDevoid of pride\, full of humility\, radiant with pure love for Radha-Govinda\, Srila Prabhupada gave all credit to the previous acaryas. “We should take it\,” said Srila Prabhupada\, “that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the origin of the Krishna Consciousness Movement in its pure form.” \nIn 1986\, just one-hundred years after Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s third prediction\, three-thousand “fair skinned devotees” from America\, England\, France\, Germany\, Russia\, and fifty other countries gathered at the ISKCON Mayapura Chandrodaya Mandir in Sridhama Mayapur. They joined one thousand “Bengali Vaisnavas” to rock the universe by chanting Jaya Sacinandana\, Jaya Sacinandana\, Jaya Sacinandana\, Gaura-Hari. Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura ki jai!\n.\nIn 1914\, on the tirobhava tithi (disappearance day) of Sri Gadadhara Pandit (the incarnation of Sri Radha)\, Thakura Bhaktivinoda entered the eternal pastimes of Gaura-Gadadhara and Radha-Madhava. In Godrumadvipa (Navadvipa) Sri-Sri Gaura-Gadadhara\, the worshipable Deities of Thakura Bhaktivinoda\, await to bless any visitors to Svananda-sukhada-kunja. In Radha-Madhava’s nitya-vraja lila Bhaktivinoda Thakura takes the form of Kamala-manjari to serve Srimati Radharani. His pushpa samadhi is in his bhajana kutir at Radha-kunda.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srila-bhaktivinoda-thakura-16th-sept-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240915
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240916
DTSTAMP:20260520T182005
CREATED:20240820T124859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240918T084857Z
UID:37074-1726358400-1726444799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Jiva Goswami 15th Sept 2024
DESCRIPTION:Shri Jiva Goswami displayed all the charming features of a mahapurusa (divine person). He had lotus eyes\, a high nose and forehead\, broad chest\, long arms\, and a radiant golden body.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-jiva-goswami-15th-sept-2024/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Sri-Jiva-Goswami.jpg
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