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X-WR-CALNAME:ISKCON Punjabi Bagh,
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ISKCON Punjabi Bagh,
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TZID:UTC
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TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20230101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230403
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230303T072504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230406T070756Z
UID:27192-1680393600-1680479999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Kamada Ekadashi 2nd April 2023
DESCRIPTION:The untold glories of Kamada Ekadasi are described in the Varaha Purana in a delightful conversation between Maharaj Yudhistira and Sri Krsna.The king asked: “My dear Lord\, crowning jewel of the yadu dynasty. Please enlighten me about the nature of this most auspicious day. Kamada Ekadasi. Please accept my humble obeisances and advise me how one should observe this Ekadasi that falls during the month of Chaitra while the moon is waxing. Please also describe what the benefits of such observance are and advise me how to reap the result.” \n“Sri Krsna replied: “My dear maharaja Yudhisthira\, please hear attentively the description of this Ekadasi day which has been recorded in the ancient Purana. One time Maharaja Dilip\, the great grandfather of Sri Ramacandra\, asked his dearly beloved and most magnanimous spiritual master Vasistha\, about the name and procedure for observing this Ekadasi\, ‘Kamada’ which occurs during the month of Chaitra (March/April.) \n“The saintly & sagacious Vasistha replied\, ‘O my dear King\, naturally i will fulfill your desire to hear the glories of this Ekadasi day. The name of this inscrutably alligned\, constellatory opportunity is Kamada. The essence of such a day is the realisation of the delineation of lust and love; and knowing the difference between the two. This sacred Ekadasi burns all one’s sinful reactions to ashes and awards the observer the privelege of having an intelligent and confident son. Now\, please hear the glories of this Ekadasi.” \n“Once\, in the city of Ratnapura (Bhogipura) there was a great and venerable king known by the name of Pundarika. He was accompanied by his joyful and kindly munificent subjects which included the Gandharvas\, Kinnaras and the Apsaras. In that sweetly opulent city there lived a fantastically beautiful Apsara named Lalita and a handsome\, regal Gandharva known as Lalit. They lived happily as husband and wife and were consistently overwhelmed by each other’s love; to the point of madhness. They were constantly engaged in sporting activities and relished each others company until their association burned at the heartstrings and knarled their brains to the point of exhaustion.” \n“One time in the court of King Pundarika many Gandharva’s were engaged in blissful frivolities\,  they were singing and dancing and covorting in great bliss. Lalit sang with the Gandharvas although his wife did not\, rather she danced in great ecstacy with the many joyous Apsaras. Due to the pangs of separation that Lalit was experiencing in separation from his devoted wife\, he felt intense hankering and dove into an ocean of tears. His innunciation during his singing grew weaker and he forgot the words to many songs that he knew off by heart.” \n“Oh king\, in that assembly there was one serpent from the Patala Region\, he went by the name of Karkotaka and knew well the mystery of this situation. He complained in a greatly thunderous voice\, “O lalit you have spoiled the perfomance here by your attachment to your wife\, you have upset the taal (rhythm) of the piece and distracted the singers. Therefore i curse you to be a man-eater cannibal.’ \n“Being thus cursed by such a serpentine character\, Lalit immediately transformed into a great demon and all could see there was fearsome fire in his eyes. When lalita saw her husband’s terrifying form she was extremely hurt and distressed. In intense pain and distress she spent her days and nights simply thinking of where to go\, what to do and who to see. However\, her fears allayed she felt no understanding of where she was\, what she was doing and who she was seeing. She was simply lost on an ocean of delinquent separation. Surrendering all embarrassment she lived with her husband in the forest.” \n“Once\, while wandering within the dense forest with her husband\, Lalita saw the most sacred ashrama of the sage and Sringi situated at the peak of the Vindhiya Mountain. Lalita immediately went there and offered her respectful obeisances to the sage. Upon seeing this lady\, the sage inquired\, ‘O beautiful one\, who are you and where do you come from? Why have you come here and what duty will you perform here?’ \n“Lalita replied: “O great soul\, I am the daughter of the great and kind hearted Gandharva named Viradhanva. My name is Lalita and I live in this forest with my husband. He has been cursed by a ferocious serpent and is now in the form of a demon. O brahmana! I am greatly indebted to you for your kind darshan and have no means of rescuing my husband myself. Please\, as a great brahmana you must surely have the ability to help. If there is at all some way of atonement that will remove this horrendous afflication\, then please; tell me!” \n“After hearing Lalita’s pathetic request\, the sage Sringi said\, ‘O daughter of the Gandharva\, in a few days time during the waxing Moon of the Chaitra month. There is a munificent Ekadasi day\, known as Kamada. By observance of this day all one’s sinful reactions can be completely annhiliated. By following this (vow) and giving the entire merit to your husband\, all one’s desire’s will be fulfilled. Then\, by the influence of this merit your husband will immediately become freed from the curse.” \n“O King! Being instructed in this way by the sage\, Lalita gladly observed the vow of this Ekadasi. On the day of Dvadasi\, Lalita gladly sat in front of the brahmanas and the Supreme Lord Vasudeva and announced: “I have observed the Ekadasi vrata as you reccomended\, I have abstained from food and water for the duration and am now gladly offering my results unto my dearest husband. I pray that my piety will remove his demoniac condition and alleviate our suffering.” \n“As soon as Lalita had finished her prayer\, her husband-turned-demon\, ‘Lalit’ became freed from the reactions of his sins and regained his divine Gandharva form. From that time on Lalit and Lalita lived happily together.” \n“Lord Krsna concluded\, “O Maharaja Yudhisthira! O best of kings! Anyone who hears the narration of this most charmingly blissful day should certainly observe it to the best of his ability. There is no better vow as it can eradicate even the sin of killing a brahmana and easily counteracts demoniac curses.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/kamada-ekadashi-2nd-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ekadashi.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230403
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230303T072603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230406T070803Z
UID:27193-1680393600-1680479999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Damanaka Ropana Dvadasi 2nd April 2023
DESCRIPTION:The following days the following is observed in Jagannath Puri. This festival is celebrated on the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (April). \nDeities of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are taken in procession to the Jagannath Ballava Math. There the Deities get Their Dayana leaves from the garden at the math. On the fourteenth\, the leaves are offered to Lord Jagannath\, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama. “Damanaka is a particular type of flowering tree\, Artemisia indica. In modern Oriya it is called daana. It is one of the two favorite flowers of Lord Jagannath\, the other being campaka. It is said that Lord Jagannath comes to the Jagannath Vallabh garden in Puri to steal these flowers. Aropana means to plant. On this dvadashi there is a ritual planting of the daana tree.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/damanaka-ropana-dvadasi/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Damanaka-Ropana-Dvadasi.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230407
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T065251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230407T111434Z
UID:27329-1680739200-1680825599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa 6th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Lord Krishna’s springtime rasa dance. The purnima or full moon of Damodara month is the second full moon of the autumn season\, and rasa lila is again celebrated.  \nThis second rasa yatra is celebrated more in Bengal\, whereas the first one is celebrated more in Vrndavana. On this day one should perform full worship of Radha and Krsna with many flowers\, and place them in a rasa mandapa surrounded by the gopis. Sri Krishna Vasant Rasa is similar excepting that it is in the Spring (Vasant)\, at this time everyone dresses in yellow. On this full moon night the devotees usually leave out pots of sweet rice payasam for the Lord to enjoy during His rasas.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-krishna-vasanta-rasa-6th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/vasanta-Rasa.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230407
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T065650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230407T111456Z
UID:27330-1680739200-1680825599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Vamsivadananda Thakura 6th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Sri Vamsivadananda Thakura Appearance Day. Vamsivadananda Thakura wrote many sweet poems expressing his devotion to Krsna.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-vamsivadananda-thakura/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Sri-Vamsivadananda-Thakura.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230407
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T065849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230407T111506Z
UID:27331-1680739200-1680825599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Syamananda Prabhu 6th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Syamananda Prabhu\, a disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya\, established the temple of Sri Radha-Syamasundara in Vrndavana.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-syamananda-prabhu-6th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Syamananda-Prabhu1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230412
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230413
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T070940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230418T075246Z
UID:27332-1681257600-1681343999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Abhirama Thakura 12th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Abhirama Thakura was one of the most vigorous preachers among the associates of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. In the mood of a cowherd boy\, Sri Abhirama Thakura carried a bullwhip named Jaya Mangala.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-sri-abhirama-thakura-12th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Abhirama.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230416
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T071509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230418T075259Z
UID:27337-1681516800-1681603199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Beginning of Salagrama and Tulasi Jala Dana 15th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Starting of Tulasi Jala Dana During the hot season in India\, a pot of dripping water is placed over Tulasi and Salagrama to keep them cool. \nKeshava Vrata starts; for one month one should control the senses\, sleep on the earth\, bath twice daily in a river\, worship the Lord and give cloth\, sugar\, sesame\, rice\, and gold to the brahmanas. If one worships Madhsudana in this month one gains the benefits of one years worship. \nWhile Keshava Vrata lasts one may hang a pot with a hole in it\, fill it with water and drip water over Tulasi and a Shalagrama Shila. \nThis is especially done in the now hot northern hemisphere when water becomes a vital asset for the growth of Tulasi Devi. In the southern hemisphere be careful not to overwater as we come out of Summer and into Autumn.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/beginning-of-salagrama-and-tulasi-jala-dana-15th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tulsi.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230416
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T072034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230418T075307Z
UID:27338-1681516800-1681603199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura 15th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Vrndavana Dasa Thakura was the author of Sri Caitanya Bhagavata\, a great biography of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is considered the manifest Vyasadeva of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-srila-vrndavana-dasa-thakura-15th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Srila-Vrndavana-Dasa-Thakura.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230416
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230417
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230315T072752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230418T075315Z
UID:27341-1681603200-1681689599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Varuthini Ekadashi 16th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Varuthini Ekadasi most mercifully descends in the month of Vaisakha (April/May) and is described in details in a conversation between Sri Krsna and Yudhisthira Maharaj. Once upon a time the sublime king Yudhisthira asked the Lord: “Please explain to me the process for observong this Ekadasi which takes place during the waning Moon in the month of Vaisakha. What is the process for observing this Ekadasi and what results may be obtained by such practice.” \nLord Krsna replied: “My dear Raja (king) the name of this Ekadasi is Varuthini and it awards one greatly intrinsic fortune\, both in this life and the next. By following the vow of Ekadasi one obtains perpetual happiness and his sinful reactions dwindle as of a dimminuendo. By following such a vow an unfortunate wife grows fortunate\, a lame man may leap and a blind man see. A human being attains prosperity in this life and the next\, and even without realising so; an animal may be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Many saintly kings such as Dhundhumara and Jambhudra became liberated by following this delectable and most transcendent of days… Varunthini Ekadasi.” \n“O great king! Donating an elephant is superior to donating a horse\, donating land is superior to donating an elephant and donating sesame seeds is greater than donating sesame seeds and donation of food grains is greater than donating gold. In fact there is no greater charity than donating food grains in charity. By such munificence one can satisfy the forefathers\, the demigods and all living entities. The learned scholars have recorded in their Vedic legacy that\, giving a daughter in charity is equal to giving  grains in charity. The Supreme Lord Himself has compared donating food grains to be equal in stature and benificence to donating cows! Moreover\, among all kinds of charities sharing one’s knowledge with others is the highest. \n“By following Varuthini Ekadasi one can attain the results of all charities. A person who earns his livelihood by cowardly selling of his daughter\, deserves to live in hell untill the end of time. Therefore no one should ever accept wealth in exchange for his daughter. A householder who\, under the influence of greed sells his daughter in exchange for money becomes a cat in his next life. But one who decorates his daughter with beatific ornaments according to his own capacity and gives her away in all good faith to a qualified and chaste groom\, even Citragupta-the secretary of Yamaraja\, is unable to count his piety. \nThe follower of this Ekadasi should abstain from eating out of a bell metal pot\, eating meat\, masura gram\, chickpea\, spinach\, honey\, accepting foodstuffs cooked by others\, eating more than neccessary\, eating more than once and engaging in sex life from the day before Ekadasi. He should not engage in gambling\, sleeping\, eating betel nuts\, brushing his teeth\, blaspheming anyone\, gossiping\, speaking ill truths\, speaking with a sinful person\, becoming angry and telling lies on the day of Ekadasi. If one observes the Ekadasi day in this manner with great tenacity and determination\, according to these reglatory stipulations-all his sinful reactions will be completely annhiliated and he will attain the supreme destination. One who remains awake on the day of Ekadasi and worships Lord Janardana becomes freed from all sins and attains the supreme goal of life. Anyone who hears or reads some narration of the inscrutable glories of this Ekadasi surely achieves the result of donating one thousand cows\, and being freed from all his sinful reactions he attains the abode of Visnu.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/varuthini-ekadashi-16th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ekadashi.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230420
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230421
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230401T131059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230421T061739Z
UID:27812-1681948800-1682035199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Gadadhara Pandita 20th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Gadadhara Pandita is among the group known as the Panca-tattva\, consisting of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and four of His closest associates. Gadadhara Pandita spent most of his life in Jagannatha Puri worshiping the Tota-Gopinatha Deity.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-gadadhara-pandita-20th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sri-Gadadhara-Pandita-Disappearance.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230424
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230407T114932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230424T060048Z
UID:28000-1682208000-1682294399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Aksaya Tritya – Candana Yatra Starts 23rd April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Candana Yatra is a festival during the hot season in India in which the Deities are covered with sandalwood paste (candana) to cool Them. (This is generally impractical in the West\, where it is cold during this time.) \nFor 21 days with the Utsava Vigrahas covered in chandan. The Deities are covered completely with chandan(sandalwood paste)\, which provides the Lord relief from the scorching heat of summer in the month of Vaisakha/Jyestha (May/June). \nOnce\, Lord Jagannatha instructed the ancient King Indradyumna to perform this festival on this occasion. Smearing the body of the Lord with ointments is an act of devotion\, and the best of balms is said to be sandalwood paste. Since heat in the month of Vaisakha is extreme in India\, the cooling effect of sandalwood paste would be pleasing to the Lord. \nSandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Lord Jagannatha leaving only his two eyes exposed. The Utsava Vigrahas (functional Deities – Vijay Utsav) are taken on procession and placed in a boat in the temple pond. To commemorate this festival\, Lord Caitanya also performed water sport with his devotees. \nChandan yatra is said to have been celebrated first on the day when Treta-yuga began. Sages and devotees perform homa (yajna) during this holy occasion. Usually barley is used as a major ingredient for homa. Ganga Devi is said to have descended to earth on this day. People also perform special puja on the occasion of this holy day. Bathing in a holy river\, offering charity\, performing japa and fire sacrifices\, offering barley in sacred fire\, and preparations of delicious food using barley are common celebrations among the people. \nIn the Mahabharata\, the Pandavas lived in disguise in the palace of King Virata during their Ajnatavasa. After Bhima killed Kichaka\, King Virata realised that the Pandavas were living in his palace. The king felt proud of them and made strong bonds of friendship with them. Once\, the king expressed his desire to have a darshan of Lord Krishna with the Pandavas. Yudhisthira then advised the king to organise a boat journey in a lake for the amusement of Lord Krishna in summer months. \nThe king also organised to embalm the body of the Lord with sandalwood paste in fragrant water to comfort Him from summer heat. Satisfied with the devotion of King Virata\, Lord Krishna arrived with his elder brother Balarama. The two Lords and the Pancha Pandavas enjoyed the Snana-yatra and rowing festival. Thus with the close association of Lord Krishna\, the pious king fulfilled his devotional desire. To commemorate this incident\, Lord Jagannatha (Krishna) enjoys Chandan Yatra with Pancha Pandava at the Narendra Sarovar. This festival is known as Chandan Mahotsava. Prior to the existence of Narendra Sarovar\, this festival was said to have been observed in other tanks like Benta Sarovar. \nMadhavendra Puri was a great follower of the Gaudiya-sampradaya. When he was in Govardhana\, he dreamt of a deity of Gopala dug in the jungles. The Lord said\, “Madhava\, I am much suffocated in the jungle beneath the earth. Please excavate my place and install Me in a temple.” So Madhavendra Puri\, with the help of the Annore villagers\, excavated the earth and found the deity and Gopala was installed on top of the Govardhana Hill. One day\, Gopala said\, “I was beneath the earth for long and My body is worn out. Would you please bring some sandalwood from Jagannatha Puri and smear on Me with its pulp and soothe My body?” \nMadhavendra Puri was then an old man and he couldn’t deny the order of Lord Gopala. So he set out to Jagannatha Puri. On the way\, he reached the Remuna where the Gopinätha temple is located at the border of Orissa and Bengal. He stayed there overnight and saw that the pujari offered twelve pots of ksira to the deity. So Madhavendra Puri thought\, “If I could taste a bit of ksira\, then I would also make similar offerings to my Gopala in Vrindävan. Immediately\, his consciousness scolded him\, “Oh\, I am so stupid. Before offering it to the Deity\, I think of eating it.” Realising his mistake\, he immediately left the temple. He went outside and sat beneath a tree and chanted the Hare Krisha Mahamantra to pass the night. At night\, the Deity appeared in the dream to the priest and said\, “I have shielded one pot of kshira (condensed milk) behind My garment. Take it to Madhavendra Puri sitting beneath the tree outside the temple. The priest reached the temple and did so as instructed. Then the priest described the whole episode to Madhavendra Puri. Thereafter\, Gopinatha became famous as Kñéra-cora\, who stole ksira for His great devotee. \nIn the next day morning\, Madhavendra Puri set out to Jagannatha to collect chandan for Gopala. Before he reached Puri\, the news was spread there that Gopinatha stole kshira for Madhavendra Puri. At Jagannatha Puri\, Madhavendra met the pujari of Lord Jagannatha and expressed the desire of Lord Gopala. The pujari took him to the King of Puri. Hearing the episode\, the king gave him one mann (nearly 37 kg) of special sandalwood used in Puri and two security guards and gave him a written order not to harm Madhavendra\, the carrier of chandan. While he reached near Gopinatha\, Govinda appeared in his dream and said\, “Madhava\, you embalm Lord Gopinatha with sandal paste so that I too would receive it\, for Gopinatha and I are one.” Madhavendra Puri anointed Lord Gopinatha with chandan paste as Gopala instructed. The Chandan Yatra festival started since then to commemorate the incident. \nBefore one month of the festival\, ISKCON Vrindavan devotees enthusiastically ground the sandalwood paste (approximately 100 kilograms) for anointing the embodiments of their wonderful Divinities for the Chandan-yatra festival. On the day of Chandan Yatra\, HG Aindra Prabhu and his qualified team of pujaris started to smear with chandan since 12:45 pm to 4:30 pm on their Lordships with pure love and devotion. We all had a wonderful darshan on that auspicious day and we unanimously thank all those pious devotees who actively participated in the chandan festival to make the event a grand success. \nPlease see the extract from Caitanya Caritamrita below to commemorate the event. (Translation and purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada): \nSri Caitanya Caritamrita: Madhya Lila (4.106) says\,\ngopala kahe\, puri amara tapa nahi yaya malayaja-candana lepa’\, tabe se judaya.\n“In his dream\, Mädhavendra Puri saw Gopäla\, who said\, “My bodily temperature still has not decreased. Please bring sandalwood from the Malaya province and smear the pulp over My body to cool Me.” \nPURPORT:\nThe Deity of Gopala had been buried within the jungle for many years\, and although He was installed and was offered thousands of pots of water\, He still felt very hot. He therefore asked Madhavendra Puri to bring sandalwood from the Malaya province. Sandalwood produced in Malaya is very popular. That province is situated on the western ghäöa\, and the hill Nilagiri is sometimes known as Malaya Hill. The word malaya-ja is used to indicate the sandalwood produced in Malaya Province. Sometimes the word Malaya refers to the modern country of Malaysia. Formerly this country also produced sandalwood\, but now they have found it profitable to produce rubber trees. Although the Vedic culture was once prevalent in Malaysia\, now all the inhabitants are Muslims. The Vedic culture is now lost in Malaysia\, Java and Indonesia.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/aksaya-tritya-candana-yatra-starts-23rd-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/akshay.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230426
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230407T115229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230426T132819Z
UID:28001-1682380800-1682467199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Sankaracharya 25th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:In order to establish his doctrine of non-violence\, Lord Buddha flatly refused to believe in the Vedas\, and thus\, later on\, Sri Sankaracharya stopped this system of religion in India and forced it to go outside India.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-sri-sankaracharya-25th-april-2023/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sri-Sankaracharya.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230427
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230428
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230407T120219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230429T095415Z
UID:28002-1682553600-1682639999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Jahnu Saptami 27th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:The day when the sage Jahnu released the River Ganges after swallowing her. On this day\, if possible\, one should worship the Ganges and bathe in her waters. \nFrom Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Sri Navadvipa Mahatmya\nChapter 13: Description of Vidyanagara and Jahnudvipa As \nNityananda spoke\, they went to Jannagara where they saw the enchanting hermitage of Jahnu Muni. Nityananda Prahhu explained\, “This enchanting place named Jahnudvipa is known as Bhadravana. At this place\, Jahnu Muni underwent penances and received darsana of the golden form of Gauranga. “Jahnu Muni was sitting here chanting his gayatri mantra\, when his acamana cup fell into the Bhagirathi (Ganges) and was swept away by the currents. He opened his mouth and drank all the water in one gulp. King Bhagiratha thought\, ‘Where has the Ganges gone?’ He concluded that Jahnu Muni had drunk theGanges. The king was overwhelmed with anxiety and worshipped the muni for several days. The muni then released the Ganges from his body. Because of this incident the Ganges is known as Jahnavi\, the daughter of Jahnu\, throughout the world.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/jahnu-saptami-27th-april-2023/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230429
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230430
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230418T082119Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230502T063111Z
UID:28290-1682726400-1682812799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Madhu Pandita 29th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Madhu Pandita\, a disciple of Sri Gadadhara Pandita\, established the temple of Gopinatha in Vrndavana\, India.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/disappearance-day-of-sri-madhu-pandita-29th-april-2023/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230429
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230430
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230418T082324Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230502T063127Z
UID:28292-1682726400-1682812799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srimati Jahnava Devi 29th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Jahnava Mata was the wife of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. Especially after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda\, she became a leading figure in the sankirtana movement.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srimati-jahnava-devi-29th-april-2023/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230429
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230430
DTSTAMP:20260501T113651
CREATED:20230418T081427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230502T063054Z
UID:28287-1682726400-1682812799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srimati Sita Devi 29th April 2023
DESCRIPTION:Sita Devi\, a manifestation of the goddess of fortune\, Laksmi Devi\, is the eternal consort of Lord Ramacandra. \nSrimati Sita Devi is the daughter of the Earth goddess\, Bhumi Devi\, and central figure of the Ramayana. InMaharishi Valmiki’s own words\, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita “Sita-ayah Charitam Mahat”. \nHer glories are sun by the poet-saint Thyagaraja in his “Sri Janakatayane” \nOh daughter of Janaka\, the blessed souls of refugees! Oh Consort of Sri Raghu Rama\, bedecked with shining gem-ornaments! Pray\, protect me always! You are the wind that destroys the clouds of demons like the hundres-headed Ravana; You are the indweller in the hearts of the devotees; Your Feet shine with the lustre of gems set in the crown of Indra. \nKing Janaka was the wise and benevolent King of Janakpuri and although a great saintly king he was childless. ‘Rajarshi – a king who lives like a sage: that was how king Janaka of Videha dynasty was renowned. He ruled over the kingdom of Mithila. He looked upon his people with love and affection. \nThe Finding of Sita Devi in a casket in the Earth: \nJanaka maharaj was ploughing a piece of land and then to prepare it for conducting a Yajna (spiritual sacrifice). He unearthed a golden casket in which he found a beautiful girl and was overjoyed. A land ploughed by the yoke is called ‘Sita’\, and so he named the baby as Sita. With the arrival of the baby\, the king’s good luck appeared to soar up. His queen also gave birth to a daughter who was named Urmila. The royal couple brought up the children with great affection. They gave them a good education. The twobeautiful girls\, by their noble qualities\, good behavior and intelligence\, endeared themselves to one and all and grew to become ideal princesses. \nSita grew up and played in the palace of Janakaraj. She became well known for her beauty as well as her devotion. She could often be seen absorbed in the Deity of the Lord of the Surya-vamsa. She would when on her own\, sometimes lovingly enact the pastimes of the various forms of the Lord and relish His pastimes. In this way she revealed to those close to her that she was no ordinary young girl. \nHer fame like her beauty became well known\, and soon it was time for her to be betrothed and then married. As with kshatriya kings of those days Janakaraj organised that all the worthy kings and princes would come\, there would be a challenge for her hand\, and the victor would become her husband. \nThe story goes that one day\, revered sage Parashurama came to visit king Janaka. He carried a bow with him. He left it at the doorstep of the royal hall and went inside. Sita saw the bow\, ran to it and began playing with it as if it was a play-horse. Only those with great physical strength and daring could lift and handle the ‘Vaishnava’ bow. When Parashurama came out\, the bow was missing. Ordinary persons could not lift it with ease and he\, curiously looking around\, spotted Sita playing with it as if it was a play-horse. The sage and the king were astonished. \nThe great Sage Parashurama\, who is a partial incarnation (shaktyavesha avatara) of Vishnu then blessed Sita and said to king Janaka: “My dear king\, only a great\, and strong person can wed this girl of such capacity. Arrange a ‘Swayamvara’ (where the brides choose their spouses for their prowess) for her and let the most suitable person in the three worlds the marry her.” \nIn course of time\, Sita and Urmila attained maturity. \nKing Janaka possessed a bow said to have been blessed by Lord Shiva. It was a great bow and the king decided to marry off his daughter to one who could lift it and charge its arrow. He prepared for a Swayamvara. \nThe challenge is sent out\, “The Man Who Conquers the ‘Shiva\, Bow’ Weds Sita”\, and so all manner of qualified princes and “wannabe’s” came from all over the world. But how to find such a heroic young man to wed such a girl? \nMany noble princes from several kingdoms came aspiring for the hand of the beautiful damsel Sita. But they were awed by the mighty bow and\, saluting it turned away. \nSage Vishwamitra\, accompanied by his disciples Rama and Lakshmana\, arrived at Mithila. The princes\, sons of renowned king Dasharatha\, had conquered many demons (‘rakshasas’). King Janaka felt glad at their arrival. \nVishwamitra told Rama:”Dear Ramachandra\, pray to Lord Shiva and take to the bow.” Sri Rama bowed to Vishwamitra and offered his respects. He then prayed for the grace of Lord Shiva\, went and raised the bow with ease and thrust an arrow. As he bent the bow\, it broke. Sitadevi came and garlanded him and accepted him as her husband. The news reached king Dasharatha who rushed to Mithila with his entourage. The marriage of Rama and Sita Devi was solemnized in a grand manner. \nAfter this event\, Dasharatha spent many happy years ruling the kingdom. Old age gradually crept on\, and he decided to retire. He naturally thought of handing over the reigns of the kingdom to his eldest son Rama. He wanted to spend the rest of his life in meditation\, away from the worries of physical life. He consulted his elderly priests and decided on the day of Sri Rama’s installation on the royal throne. \nThe king was very joyful on the auspicious day. His senior consort Kausalya Devi was engaged in worship and serving the elders and priests. People in the kingdom were rejoicing and eagerly looked forward to the coming coronation. \nKing Dasharatha’s third consort was Kaikeyi. She too was very affectionate towards Rama. But carried away by the advice of her maid Manthara\, she claimed that her son Bharata should Succeed as the next king\, and that Rama should go to forest for fourteen years. Dasharatha was shocked to hear this. All his pleadings with Kaikeyi to change her mind proved in vain. \nA long time ago\, the King had promised her that he would fulfil two wishes of hers. Now\, as a fulfillment\, she demanded that the king install Bharata as the Crown Prince and that Rama should go to forest for fourteen years. \nRama came to know about this\, consoled his father and said he would go to the forest to fulfil his pledge. Rama immediately discarded his royal robes and ornaments and wearing sack-clothes\, prepared to leave for the woods. Kausalya was grief-stricken. Rama pacified her and obtained her permission to leave. \nAfter meeting his mother\, Rama went to his wife Sita. She was then bubbling with joy at the impending coronation of her husband and was performing worship for his good; she was giving away doles and offerings. \nLooking at Sita’s joy and celebration\, Rama felt it painful to inform her that he would not be crowned and that he would be leaving for the jungle. He knows she would be shocked. Looking at his worried face\, Sita asked: “You appear to be worried at such a joyous moment. What is the matter? Did anything untoward happen?” She gently wiped the sweat on his face with the edge of her saree. \nRama said: “Dear Janaki\, do not feel grieved at what I am going to tell you. I have to leave the capital for a distant place. You should see me off without tears.” He told her about the king’s dilemma and said: I will go to the forest for fourteen years and return. You should remain without anger or sorrow. Be calm. The parents are old. Look after them. Be good and courteous towards Bharata also. Permit me to leave.” \nSita was saddened. She was not sorry either at the canceling of her husband’s coronation or at the demanded crowning of Bharata. But she felt angry that Rama should leave her behind and go to the forest alone. She declared: “My Lord\, I can’t stay for a moment in a place without you. In your absence\, this Ayodhya will be a jungle to me. The forest wherein you stay will be my kingdom. My life runs under your shadow. It is not becoming of you to leave me behind.” \nRama explained to her the rigours of life in the woods. “Sita\, you do not know about jungle-life. It is not a cosy\, royal garden; cruel wild animals and evil demons (rakshasas) infest it. You hear ferocious voices. You have to live on roots and wild fruits. A tender lady like you cannot withstand these hazards.You have to pass every day in fear of some impending danger. After all\, fourteen years is not a long period.” \nSita would not listen to his pleadings. She insisted: “Whether it is jungle or town\, it is my. duty to be with you. I do not care for comforts here. I am not afraid of the difficulties we may encounter in the forest. You are such a lion of a man. Can’t you protect me there?” Tears rolled down her eyes. \nRama eventually had to agree with her: “Sita if you are with me\, any jungle is heaven. Let it be\, as you desire. Prepare to leave.” Sita happily made preparations for the sojourn. \nRama’s younger brother Lakshmana also insisted that he would accompany them. Rama had to acquiesce. \nDeciding to stay at Chitrakoota Mountain\, the three-some left and reached their destination. \nIt was a picturesque area. Many sages had built their ashrams (hermitages) there. They warmly welcomed Rama\, Sita and Lakshmana. Rama and Lakshmana built a hermitage for themselves. \nAfter a time\, Bharata\, with his entourage\, came to visit them. He wanted to plead with Rama to return to Ayodhya and assume kingship. He mournfully informed them about king Dasharatha’s passing away. Rama\, Sita and Lakshmana were overcome with grief. \nAll the pleadings of Bharata to Rama were in vain. Rama did not change his mind. At last\, Bharata requested Rama to give him his sandals so that he could place them on the throne and rule in the name of Rama. He also decided to reside in the village Nandi as a hermit. \nFrom Chitrakoota\, the three went Dandakaranya forest. \nThe sages of Dandakaranya received them with regard and affection. They told Rama that evil rakshasas and wild animals had\nbeen harassing them and sought his help to relieve them of these troubles and protect them. Rama\, by nature\, was compassionate; he promised them he would free them from the menace of rakshasas. \nSitadevi was worried. At an appropriate time she told Rama: “Aryaputra\, let me submit to you a few of my thoughts. Please do not think I am more learned than you. The sages narrated their problems and you promised them you would annihilate the rakshasas and wild animals. You have now forsaken all the royal paraphernalia and have come to the forest. Now you have to live like an ascetic and should not carry weapons. You have a bow and arrows for self-protection. By your promise to the sages\, the rakshasas will become your enemies. I am worded about this. We cannot say what danger might hit us at any time. And also\, is it just to kill wild animals and rakshasas who have not harmed us in any way? Hatred without reason may result in danger. Please think it over.” \nRama patiently listened to Sita’s words and said: “Devi\, listen. We are Kshatriyas by birth and no time is objectionable for us to punish the evil doers. Can the rakshasas attack innocent sages and devour them? Punishing them and protecting theinnocent is our dharma (sacred duty). Your thoughts deserve consideration. You have thought about this matter seriously. I will go about this very carefully.” Sita was relieved at his explanation. \nAs Rama\, Sita and Lakshmana were approaching a spot called Panchavati\, they came across a huge banyan tree. Atop it sat a large-sized eagle. They thought it might also be a rakshasas in disguise. But it said: “Raghurama\, I am a friend of your father Dasharatha. My name is Jatayu. When you and Lakshmana go out\, I will be here with Sita and keep guard. I will try to be of some help to you. “They felt happy that they met a friendly soul in the jungle. \nThey built a hermitage and lived comfortably for sometime. Close by was the Godavari river. The area was dotted with hills. The jungle trees and plants provided fruits and flowers in abundance. With majestic trees\, various plants\, chirping birds and attractive animals like the deer\, the spot was a feast to the eye. \nA demoness\, Shurpanakha\,was wandering about in that area in search of food. She scented some human beings staying there and came to Rama’s hermitage and peeped in. \nShe was instantly struck by the graceful personalities of Rama and Lakshmana and wished to marry one of them. She assumed the appearance of a beautiful damsel and asked Rama to marry her. \nRama said: “I am married and my wife is with me here. I cannot bring in” another wife. My younger brother Lakshmana is alone and he is also good-looking. Go to him.” \nShurpanakha then approached Lakshmana and asked him to marry her. He said: “I am Rama’s devout attendant. If you marry me\, you will also become a servant and have to be subserviant to Sita. Go back and ask Rama.” \nIt was a sport between the brothers. She was made to go from one to the other several times and became fed up with this game. She angrily said: “it is because Rama’s wife is here that things are happening this way. I am going to finish her off.” So saying\, she came to pounce upon Sita. \nRama told Lakshmana: “No point in being too light-hearted with evil people. Punish her and drive her away.” Thereupon\, Lakshmana went and cut off her ears\, nose and breasts and thus drove her away. \nShurpanakha\, apart from the physical pain\, felt humiliated and ran away growling loudly. She was the sister of Ravana\, the king of Lanka\, a man endowed with immense prowess. Another demon\, Khara\, who ruled over Janasthana\, where Rama’s hermitage was located\, was Ravana’s younger brother. Shurpanakha went to Khara and told him of her humiliation. He became wild with anger and\, accompanied by a large army\, came to attack Rama and Lakshmana. But Rama’s powerful arrows annihilated the enemy force. The sages of the forest extolled Rama. Sita also felt happy\, but a nagging worry continued to haunt her. \nShurpanakha then went to Lanka and wailed before Ravana. She narrated her humiliation and the defeat of Khara and his army. She also told him about Sita’s beauty. \nRavana felt sad; anger welled up in him. Should a sister of such a hero as himself suffer such humiliation? Hearing her description of Sita’s beauty\, an evil thought entered his mind – that he should abduct Sita! \nRavana thought of many ways and finally decided to seek the assistance of Mareecha\, who was his relative. Mareecha shivered at the mention of Rama. He explained to Ravana about the fury of Rama’s arrows. He advised Ravana: “To abduct Sita is a bad idea. Forget it.” \nBut Ravana was insistent. “If you do not listen to me\, your life is finished\,” he threatened Mareecha\, who then realized that any amount of advice to Ravana would be futile. \nRavana’s plan was to see that Rama and Lakshmana would be lured away from the hermitage; he could then go there and kidnap Sita. He conceived a plan and Mareecha was asked to execute it. \nMareecha assumed the guise of a lovely golden deer and moved about in the presence of Sita. Sighting it\, Sita told Rama: “Look at this beautiful deer. If we can catch it\, will it not be an ornament to Ayodhya?” \nLakshmana said: “It is not a real deer. It looks artificial. Let us not be fooled by some tricks of the rakshasas.” \nBut Rama wished to fulfil Sita’s desire and proceeded to follow the golden deer. \nHowever\, Rama could not easily catch the deer. In pursuit\, it took him far away from their residence. Finally\, tired and angry Rama struck it with an arrow. As he lay dying\, Mareecha cried out: “Ha\, Lakshmana! Ha Sita!” was imitating Rama’s voice. \nSita was worried at Rama’s not returning early when heard this cry. She entreated Lakshmana to go and find out whether Rama was in danger and needed protection. \nLakshmana tried to console her and said: “My brother is the protector of the world. What danger can affect him*? There is no need for anyone to go to his aid. These are all the rakshasas’ tricks.” \nBut Sita did not think so. She became angry and denounced Lakshmana thus: “You have come with us with some object of personal benefit. When your elder brother is facing danger you are wasting time here. I do not approve of your designs.” \nLakshmana could not tolerate this insinuation. He was worried about the welfare of Sita if he went away leaving her alone. He invoked the demigods (devas) of the forest\, and protracted the ashram by placign the Rekha line around it. Then offering respects before Sita he reluctantly left the place. \nMeanwhile\, taking advantage of Lakshaman and Rama’s absence a ‘Sannyasi’ (monk) arrived at Rama’s hut. He wore saffron robes\, had tied his hair into a top-knot and chanted Vedic hymns like any other ascetic. \nSita looked at him and he asked her: “Why are you\, such a beautiful damsel staying in this jungle suffering misery?” \nThinking that a respectable sage had come\, Sita treated him with reverence and told him about her life-story. She did not comprehend that Ravana ‘had come in disguise. \nThe Sannyasi said: “I am Ravaneshwara. All the three worlds shudder at the mention of my name. \nI have never seen a more beautiful woman like you. Come and be my queen and lead a happy life.” \nSitadevi\, hearing these words\, was see thing with anger and said: “You wretched man! I am the wife of lionhearted Rama. If you touch me\, you will be touching fire!” \nIn spite of her entreaties\, Ravana would not relent. He carried her to his chariot even as she was denouncing him and praying for her protection. \nJatayu\, who was sleeping atop a tree\, was awakened by Sita’s cries. He immediately jumped forward and attacked Ravana’s chariot\, killed the driver and damaged it considerably. \nEnraged\, Ravana lashed at Jatayu and cut off his wings. Sita was saddened to see Jatayu fall to the ground mortally wounded. Carrying Sita\, Ravana flew away in the skies towards Lanka. \nAs soon as Rama heard Mareecha’s cries\, he felt that something was wrong. He hurriedly retreated and met Lakshmana on the way back. Rama’s suspicions grew and sensing something bad\, asked Lakshmana: “Brother\, What is this? Why did you come?\nWhat about Sita’s welfare? What could happen to her by the time we get back to our place? May we see her again alive?” \nThey rushed to the hermitage and Rama cried out: “Devi\, Janaki\, where are you?” There was no answer. The ashram was empty. Rama searched around to no avail. He wandered uttering Sita’s name all over the place. “0 trees\, birds\, animals\, can’t you tell me about Sita’s whereabouts?” At one spot Rama found a bunch of flowers Sita had worn. Nearby lay Jatayu\, injured and in agony. It seemed as if the bird was struggling to keep alive only to inform Sri Rama about the abduction of Sita. It said: “Raghurama\, Ravana\, the king of Lanka\, has abducted Sitadevi. I fought him to protect her but he beat me.” With these words\, the bird died. \nRama and Lakshmana\, full of grief\, conducted the last rites of Jatayu in accordance with the tradition. \nRavana brought Sita to Lanka. He showed her his palace and riches. He showed her his rakshasas army. He told her: “Look here\, Rama cannot come here. Forget him. There is no one more heroic and rich than I am. Become my queen and lead a happy life.” \nSita did not want even to talk to him. She held a blade of grass before her and looking at it said: “Ravana\, you have carried me to this place stealthily when Rama was not present. If he was there at that time\, you would have been destroyed. It looks as if your life is now ended.” \nRavana was enraged. He kept her in the Ashokavana garden and engaged demonizes to guard her. \nRama and Lakshmana proceeded in search of Sita. Wandering all around\, they arrived at Rishyamooka hill. Sighting them from atop the hill\, Sugriva\, a king of the monkeys\, sent his minister Anjaneya (Hanuman) to meet them and bring them to him. \nHis elder brother Vali\, who also kept Sugriva’s wife for himself\, had deported Sugriva from his land. Sugriva narrated his woes to Rama and sought his help. In turn\, Rama told him about his own sorrow. Both pledged to help each other. They declare their friendship in front of the Fire God Agni (sacred fire). \nRama killed Vali and installed Sugriva on the throne. \nSugriva sent his soldiers to all corners of the country to search for Sita. Rama called Anjaneya (Hanuman) and told him: “Dear son of Vayu wind\, I feel that you will succeed in your mission. You are the only one able to reach Lanka. Go forth and meet Sita. Tell her about our welfare. As a sign of recognition\, give her this ring.” He blessed and sent him away. \nThe armies of ‘vanaras’ (monkeys and bears) reached the seashore. They thought to themselves\, How to cross the vast sea? One has only to fly. Who is capable of it. They all agreed that only Hanuman possessed the prowess to undertake the task. Thus\, Anjaneya embarked on his voyage of a distance of 100 yojanas with the speed of wind and reached Lanka he went to Ravana’s palace\, searched around and found Sita at Ashokavana. \nSita sat under a Shimshupa tree. Pale and weary-looking\, and wearing a worn-out saree\, she was sitting there on the floor crying. She was pining: “0 Ramachandra! Can’t you see my plight? Can I be so lucky as to see you again?” Ugly looking demonesses around pressed on: “Forget Rama. Marry the heroic\, wealthy Ravana. If you please him\, you can lead a life of luxury. If you refuse\, you will be finished.” But Sita sternly told them: I will never think of another man even in my dreams. “Rich or Poor\, My Life is Only with Rama” \nI would not touch another being even with my left foot.” \nSitting on the branches of a nearby tree\, Anjaneya saw all and heard these words. \nIn the morning\, Ravana accompanied by his harem came there. Ravana said: “Sita\, why you are suffering like this without good food and clothing? I am the king of the three worlds. My palace\, riches\, opulence – everything will be yours. Come to the palace. One does not know whether Rama\, living in the jungle like a hermit\, is alive or dead. Forget him.” \nAddressing the blade of grass before her\, Sita said: “I am Rama’s wife. Whether he is rich or poor\, my place is with Rama and nowhere else. I do not even want to look at you. By bringing me here\, you are ruining yourself and your family.” \nThough Ravana continued to persuade Sita\, he was insulted by her as a coward and evil man. He was angered and dashed forward with fury saying he would kill her. He was held back by one of his wives Dhanyamalini. He told Sita: “I will give you two months time. If you do not change your mind\, I will kill you!” So saying\, he went away. \nAfter he left\, the demonesses began to harass Sita who was now thinking of almost ending her life\, before these devils devoured her. An old demoness Trijata checked her associates and told them about a bad dream she had: “Do not harass Sita. She is the purest wife. Lanka is now faced with great danger. Ask her pardon.” Then\, they left off harassing her. \nHanuman came down from the treetop and stood before Sita singing the praise of Rama. \nSita\, surprised\, feared that this too might be a ruse of Ravana. But Hanuman assured her and revealed his real self. He gave her the ring given by Rama as a sign of recognition and told her about the welfare of the brothers. Sita felt relieved. She reverently touched her eyes with the ring. She explained her experiences to him and said: “If Rama does not come within two months\, my life will be finished. Tell Rama to come soon and save me.” \nHanuman said: “0 Mother\, why should we wait that long? I can carry you on my shoulders and fly to Rama now itself.” But Sita did not agree and said: “Anjaneya\, it is Rama’s duty. That duty should not be interfered with. I will suffer all the hardships here till he comes. Give this to him as a sign of recognition.” So saying\, she gave Hanuman a Chudamani (crest-jewel) she was wearing and blessed him. Anjaneya returned. \nThen\, Rama\, accompanied by the army the monkeys\, immediately proceeded towards Lanka. A bridge was built across the sea. \nThe armies of Rama and Ravana fought a fierce battle. Ravana was also a man of extraordinary prowess. His sons Indrajit\, younger brother Kumbhakarna\, commander Prahasta\, were all great warriors and fought determinedly. However\, Ravana’s army was at last defeated\, after the fall of Indrajit\, Kumbhakarna and many others who died in the battle. Still\, Ravana would not relent. Finally\, he faced Rama directly. It was a long fight\, ending in the death of Ravana. Rama installed Vibhishana\, a younger brother of Ravana\, as the king of Lanka. After that\, at Rama’s asking\, Vibhishana brought Sita to Rama. \nMother Sita had spent all her days in worshipping Rama in her mind. She had patiently withstood Ravana’s insults and threats\, the how lings of the demonesses and other humiliations. She waited long for Rama to come\, conquer Ravana and free her. \nRama won the battle and Ravana died but happiness eluded Sita. \nVibhishana brought Sita in a palanquin.Armies of Sugriva and Vibhishana stood in attendance. Sitadevi stepped down and going to Rama\, exclaimed: “Aryaputra!” She was so overcome with emotion that words failed her. \nRama told Sita: “Good woman\, you are now freed. As a matter of my duty I came to rescue you. It is not because of my passion towards you. You have been with the rakshasas for a year. I cannot accept you as my wife as before. You are now free. Go anywhere you like and live.” \nRama’s forest sojourn ended by then. He and others reached Ayodhya flying in ‘Pushpaka-vimana’. Bharata and the citizens accorded a grand welcome to Rama. Everybody was filled with happiness. All were talking about Sita. Already\, preparations for Rama’s coronation were complete. He was ceremonially crowned the king. \nThe Fire Ordeal. \nCan such a kind-hearted soul as Rama speak so cruelly? Sita could not believe her ears. “This is a great test for me. All right. If my husband rejects me\, why should I live? I will sacrifice this body- to Agni” -she decided and asked Lakshmana to prepare a fire. \nLakshmana became furious and stared at Rama. Sugriva and others stood shocked. Rama stood like a rock. With tears in his eyes\, Lakshmana prepared the fire. \nSita bowed to her husband and prayed: “0 Fire God Agni\, if I am pure\, unsullied and faithful to my husband\, protect me.” So saying\, she walked into the flames. All were shocked and the women present wailed. \nBut the fire subsided. God Agni stepped out carrying Sita. He told Rama: “She is absolutely pure. How can you suspect her?\nHere\, accept this pure and fine woman.” \nBugles blew\, flowers were showered on them. Rama then said\, “I know Sita is pure. Still\, I had to do this so that people should\nnot say something bad later.” He gladly welcomed Sita. \nOn occassion Lord Rama dressed himself like an ordinary person and began wandering within Ayodhya to understand what impression the citizens had of Him. By chance one night Rama heard a man talking to his wife who had gone to another man’s house. In the course of rebuking his wife\, the man spoke detrimentally about the character of Sita devi\, saying that he (the husband) is not like Rama who allows his wife to come back after staying at another’s house. Rama immediately returned home\, and fearing such rumours\, he externally decided to give up the company of Sita devi. He sent her away to the ‘ashrama’ of Valmiki Muni. Sita\, who was pregnant at the time\, later gave birth to twin sons named Lava and Kusa. \nLord Rama continued to perform many sacrifices during his ruling Ayodhya. At one such sacrifice\, some fifteen years later\, two boys came into the arena of the sacrifice while Rama was sitting on his ‘asana’. Valmiki had taught the boys the whole poem of the Ramayana and had put the story to a very beautiful and melodious ‘swara’\, tune. Valmiki\, accompanying the two boys\, asked Rama’s permission so the boys could recite his poem. Rama gave permission\, and the boys commenced in perfect unison. \nSri Ramacandra Bhagavan was deeply stirred by the depth of the knowledge of him and his pastime. Night after night the recital continued until it came to Sita’s abandonment to Valmiki’s ‘ashrama’. Rama was then convinced they were his very own sons born to Mother Sita. He sent word to Valmiki that he should come with Sita and vouch for her purity and faithfulness. If Sita was willing to come before the assembly and give proof of her innocence\, she could resume her rightful place at her Lord’s side.\nEveryone agreed and the next day Srimati Sitadevi came. Everyone was touched at the sight of her\, her head and eyes downcast\, tears running down her beautiful face\, her long hair chastely adorning her back. \niyam dasarathe sita suvrata dharmacarini\napapa te oparityakta mamasramasamipatah\nlakopavadabhitasya tava rama mahavarata\npratyayam dasyate sita tamanujnatumarhasi \nValmiki Muni respectfully approached Sri Rama saying\, “O son of Dasaratha\, here is your wife Sita. She has been staying in my ‘ashrama’ since you abandoned her\, performing austerities. She is completely without blame and is pure and innocent. Due to your position as King you played the part that you feared public opinion may be detrimental for you\, and so you have also performed severe austerities. However\, it is now proper that your impeccable wife be allowed to prove her own innocence.” (Valmiki Ramayana Uttara Khanda 7:87:14-15.) \nSita stood in silence\, her eyes transfixed on the ground without blinking. With folded hands she said\, “If Rama has always been foremost in my heart\, then may my Mother Earth (Bhumi) herself deliver me. If I have been only true to him\, wholly\, mind\, body and soul\, then may my Mother Earth deliver me. If I have loved none but him\, then let my Mother Earth deliver me.” \nAs she spoke\, the earth rumbled\, shook and cracked open where Sita stood. Srimati Bhumi devi (Mother Earth personified) then appeared\, seated on a throne of incredible natural earthly opulence\, surrounded by ‘nagas’ (snakes)\, and she invited Sita to take her seat along side her. \nSita\, entrusting her children to Valmiki\, ascended the throne supported by ‘nagas’ adorned with fiery eyes and jewels on their heads. There\, seated besides her mother\, Bhumi and Sita disappeared from sight. The earth closed up leaving not even so much as a furrow on the surface as thought nothing had happened. \nSripad Madhwacarya’s Mahabharata Tatparaynirnaya 9:40.\, he relates\, \npravisya bhumau sa devi loke drstyanusaratah\nreme ramenavi yukta bhaskarena prabha yatha \n“That beautiful Sita devi seemingly entered into the earth though actually she always remains with Lord Rama\, just as the sun’s rays are always with the sun.” \nRemembering Sri Rama\, true to his vow of ‘ekapatni’\, never accepted another woman other than Sita. Next to him on his ‘asana’ he kept a golden deity of Sitadevi for some time\, performing sacrifices for thirteen thousand years.\nAt the end of this period\, Agastya Muni and many demigods and sages approached the Lord and reminded him that his pastimes on earth had now been fulfilled and he should now return to Vaikuntha. Lord Rama performed ‘acaman’\, sipping water and reciting ‘mantras’\, once\, twice\, thrice\, then he resumed his form of Visnu\, for it is from that seat of Visnu that his pastimes became manifest.\n“Lord Ramacandra returned to his abode\, to which ‘bhakti yogis’ are promoted. This is the place to which all the inhabitants of Ayodhya went after they served the Lord in his manifest pastimes by offering him obeisance’s\, touching his lotus feet\, fully observing him as a father like king\, sitting or lying down with him like equals\, or even just accompanying him.”(Srimad Bhagavatam 9:11:22.)
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/appearance-day-of-srimati-sita-devi-29th-april-2023/
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