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PRODID:-//ISKCON Punjabi Bagh, - ECPv5.10.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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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,
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20260101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260103
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260104
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251218T125751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T121456Z
UID:47377-1767398400-1767484799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Krishna Pusya Abhiseka 3rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Srila Prabhupada once explained the festival this way: “Krishna was just a toy in the hands of the Gopis\, so one day the Gopis decided that we shall decorate Him. Pusya abhisheka means a ceremony to decorate the deity profusely with flowers\, ornaments\, cloths. \nAfter there should be lavish feasting and a procession through the streets\, so that all the citizens should see how beautiful Krishna appears.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-krishna-pusya-abhiseka-3rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pushpa.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260108
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251218T130329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260110T064510Z
UID:47383-1767744000-1767830399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Ramacadra Kaviraja Disappearance Day 7th Dec 2026
DESCRIPTION:Ramacandra Kaviraja\, the son of Sri Ciranjiva Sena appeared in Sri Khanda. “Ramacandara Kaviraja was especially earnest\, beautiful\, intelligent\, energetic\, and enthusiastic\,” said one biographer.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-ramacadra-kaviraja-disappearance-day-7th-dec-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sri-Ramchandra-Kaviraja.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260108
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251222T082608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260110T064518Z
UID:47410-1767744000-1767830399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami Appearance Day 7th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Shri Gopala Bhatta Goswami (the son of a Vyenkata Bhatta\, a Shri Vaishnava brahmana) appeared in Shri Rangam\, South India. Lord Chaitanya once stayed four months in his home\, and converted the family to Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-gopala-bhatta-goswami-appearance-day-7th-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Srila-Gopala-Bhatta-Goswami.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260108
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260109
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251222T082820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260110T064531Z
UID:47412-1767830400-1767916799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Jayadeva Goswami Disappearance Day 8th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Jayadeva Goswami is the author of the Gita govinda\, a poem about the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Krishna. Lord Caitanya relished hearing the Gita govinda sung by His close associates. To this day the poem is recited daily in the temple of Lord Jagannatha in Jagannatha Puri\, Orissa.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-jayadeva-goswami-disappearance-day-8th-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Jaydev-Goswami.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260109
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260110
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251222T083018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260110T064537Z
UID:47415-1767916800-1768003199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Locana Das Thakur Disappearance Day 9th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Sri Locana Dasa Thakura\, a disciple of Narahari Sarakara Thakura\, wrote many Bengali songs glorifying Lord Caitanya. His most famous poetic work is the Caitanya-mangala\, a depiction of Lord Caitanya’s life.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-locana-das-thakur-disappearance-day-9th-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sri-Locana-Dasa-Thakura.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260115
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T122043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T130946Z
UID:47525-1768348800-1768435199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sat-tila Ekadasi 14th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:This Ekadasi occurs in the Phalguna month\, as the moon wanes at this time a very special atmosphere is created. The glories of Sat-tila Ekadasi are narrated in the Bhavisyottara Purana in a conversation between the sage Dalbhya and Pulastya muni. \n“Oh esteemed brahmana!” began Dalbhya muni.\n“People are most polluted in the age of Kali\, there are sinful acts taking place at all times! Heinous crimes such as the killing of brahmanas\, killing of cows and general freeloadering are rife. \nPlease elucidate the process by which these perpetrators can be freed from their sinful acts.” \n The sage Pulastya replied: “O my dear friend and fortunate one\, by observing the vow of Ekadasi which falls during the waning moon in the month of Phalguna all sinful reactions can be burnt to ashes. \n “On the Ekadasi day the aspirant should rise early\, bathe and then worship the Lord with prayers: O Lord Janardana! O most merciful Sri Krsna! You are the deliverer of the fettered fallen souls. Please do not exclude anyone from your mercy\, those drowning in an ocean of grief need your mercy most. O Supreme Brahman! O Supreme Personality of Godhead! O Lord of the universe! Please hear my prayer and grant me the boon of assisting you in helping the conditioned souls of the material world. Please accept my fidelity and use me as an instrument in the struggle against Maya. O dear Laksmi devi please be kind to this lowly servant and grant that he may be freed from all anarthas.” \n“Thenceforth one should give charity to brahmanas\, depending on means available one can offer umbrellas\, cloth\, shoes\, sugar\, or a pitcher filled with water. Cows of many colours may also be given and specific to this Ekadasi sesame seeds. By gifting sesame seeds on this day one can live in the heavenly planets for many years. \n“Sesame seeds are used in different varieties on this day; one may bathe in water mixed with sesame seeds\, smear sesame seed paste on the body\, execute fire sacrifices with sesame seeds\, offer oblations to the ancestors with sesame seeds and give sesame seeds in charity. By doing so one will free himself from more sinful reactions than he is able to commit. Thus this Ekadasi is known as Sat-tila. \nNarada Muni once approached Sri Krsna and asked to hear the glories and results of observing Sat-tila Ekadasi; Krsna thus recounted the following story. “In ancient times\, long before the world began even\, there lived a female brahmani called Vanalika. She very soberly followed a strict vow of celibacy and engaged in worshipping the Lord. By constantly fulfilling the edicts of various vows she became emaciated and wearily weak. Although she gave charity to poor brahmanas and unmarried girls\, she never offered food grains and thus the Demigods became wrathful against her. Despite this shortcoming I considered her a purified soul due to her extreme penance and heartfelt generosity towards the beggared brahmanas. \n“O dear Naradaji\, in order to test this brahmani I donned the garb of a mendicant and disguised myself suitably. I personally appeared in this mortal world\, and taking a begging bowl in my own two hands I approached the house of that Vanalika brahmani. \n“As I approached the house she appeared before me and said: “O dear mendicant! Where have you come from and please do not lie to me!?!” \n“I played dumb and asked for charity once more; she became angry and placed a lump of clay in my begging pot. Thereafter I returned to my abode and resumed my duties. In due course of time that self same brahmani also returned to my transcendental abode and got a beautiful house to reside in. However\, due to her misfortune she was bereft of wealth. She had no food grains in the house and gradually she grew restless and approached me with folded palms. She humbly inquired ‘”O Janardana\, I have been engaged for many moons in performing penance and austerity; why am I now bereft of food grains and wealth?”‘ \n“I replied to her thus: “You have come here from the material world\, please return to your new residence and wait for a visit from the Demigods. They will come out of curiosity and the wives of the Demigods will take your darshan; then you should ask them about the glories of Sat-tila Ekadasi. Do not let them leave until they finish the narration. After hearing my instruction Vanalika  returned home. \n“One day when she was sitting in her house\, the doors all locked shut. The wives of many  Demigods mystically entered and said: “O dear beauty\, we have come to take your darshan\, as a resident of the spiritual realm you are indeed worshippable and we have thus come to see you. \n‘”If you wish to see me then\, please explain the importance\, piety and glories of Sat-tila Ekadasi before you leave.”‘ \n“Thereupon\, one of the wives narrated the glories of this Ekadasi. Upon completing the recountal\, Vanalika became satisfied and the Demigoddesses left\, also satisfied with their darshan. Under the instruction of these munificent creatures Vanalika observed the Sat-tila Ekadasi day and became beautiful\, effulgent and she received plenitude grains\, wealth and gold. \n“However\, no one should observe this Ekadasi being controlled by greed or lust. By following this Ekadasi one’s misfortune and poverty are destroyed. If one donates sesame seeds on this day then all his sinful reactions are vanquished.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sat-tila-ekadasi-14th-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ekadashi.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260116
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T122201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260117T080311Z
UID:47527-1768435200-1768521599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Ganga Sagara Mela 15th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Ganga Sagar Mela is a festival observed especially at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Kapilasrama\, the asrama of Lord Krsna’s incarnation as Kapiladeva\, the son of Devahuti\, is located at this place. \nThe festival commemorates King Bhagirathi’s bringing the River Ganges down from the celestial planets to the ocean and the lower worlds.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/ganga-sagara-mela-15th-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Ganga-sagar.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260116
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20260115T114308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260117T080328Z
UID:47719-1768435200-1768521599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura 1st Feb 2026
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/appearance-day-of-srila-narottama-dasa-thakura-1st-feb-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Srila-Narottama-Dasa.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T122351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065558Z
UID:47529-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Vasanta Pancami 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:This is the first day of spring in India. On the fifth day of the waxing moon one should celebrate the coming of spring to Vrindavana by offering Krishna many types of leaves and flowers\, and fresh shoots of sprouting grasses. \nThings that symbolise life and new growth.Following in the footsteps of the Vraja-basis of Vrindavana\, one should paint designs on His (Krishna’s) body and perform a special aratrika for Him. It is appropriate to offer yellow flowers too. The vasanta raga should be played on this day. The Deities in the temples\, especially in Vrindavana wear yellow or yellow and green on this day.\nIn places like Vrindavan\, Mayapur\, Jagannath Puri and Udupi many of the women folk dress in yellow also. As it is the first day of spring many fertility rites are performed at this time – for the family\, for the women folk\, for the crops\, for the cows\, etc. It’s a very festive time.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/vasanta-pancami-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vasant.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T122731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065620Z
UID:47531-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srimati Visnupriya Devi Appearance Day 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Supreme Lord Visnu has three different Saktis: Sri\, Bhu\, and Nila. Sri Visnupriya is the internal potency known as Bhu-sakti. She appeared in Gaura-lila to assist Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with his mission of spreading the holy name of Krsna.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srimati-visnupriya-devi-appearance-day-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Srimati-Vishnupriya.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T124505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065633Z
UID:47533-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sri Sarasvati Puja 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Sarasvati Puja worship of the goddess Sarasvati (not generally observed by Vaisnavas).
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sri-sarasvati-puja-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/saras.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T125258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065709Z
UID:47535-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur Disappearance Day 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura\, a great Vaisnava acarya\, appeared in 1674 in what is now the Nadia district of West Bengal. During his time\, he served as the protector\, guardian\, and acarya of the Gaudiya Vaisnava line.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-visvanatha-cakravarti-thakur-disappearance-day-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Srila-Visvanatha.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T125723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065715Z
UID:47537-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Pundarika Vidyanidhi Appearance Day 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Pundarika Vidyanidhi was a disciple of Madhavendra Puri and was the guru of Sri Gadadhara Pandita. Pundarika Vidyanidhi was sometimes misunderstood to be too much attached to material pleasures\, but just by hearing the recitation of one verse of the Bhagavatam he would enter into a trance.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-pundarika-vidyanidhi-appearance-day-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sri-Pundarika.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T130135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065722Z
UID:47539-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Raghunandana Thakur Appearance Day 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Raghunandan was born into a family of physicians in the Shaka year 1432 (1510 AD). His father’s name was Mukunda Das\, his mother’s name is unknown. Mukunda Das was Narahari Sarkar Thakur’s older brother.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-raghunandana-thakur-appearance-day-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Sri-Raghunandan.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260124
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T130534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065729Z
UID:47541-1769126400-1769212799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami Appearance Day 23rd Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Raghunatha Dasa Goswami\, one of the six Goswamis\, at a young age renounced his beautiful wife and opulent home to join Lord Caitanya and His sankirtana movement. For sixteen years\, he was the personal assistant of Svarupa Damodara.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-raghunatha-das-goswami-appearance-day-23rd-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Srila-Raghunatha.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260125
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260126
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T130853Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065737Z
UID:47543-1769299200-1769385599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Srila Advaita Acary Appearance Day 25th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Advaita Acharya\, an intimate associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu\, is considered an incarnation of Sadasiva and Maha- Visnu. It was in response to His calls that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu descended to this world.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/srila-advaita-acary-appearance-day-25th-jan-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sri-Advaita-Acharya.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260126
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260127
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T133351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065750Z
UID:47545-1769385600-1769471999@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Bhismastami 26th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Bhishma’s name in his boyhood was Devavrata. He was the eighth son of Shantanu\, a king of the lunar dynasty and Gangadevi. This boy was the human embodiment of Dyau\, one of the Ashthavasus. Shantanu\, his father was the re-birth of another king\, Mahabhisheka. The story concerning this is given in the Mahabharata as follows: \nKing Mahabhisheka after his death\, attained Vishnuloka. Once he went to visit Brahma at Satyaloka. At that time Ganga devi was also present in Brahma’s assembly. In that pious atmosphere\, a gentle breeze began to blow and Gangadevi’s clothes were slightly deranged. Just at that moment Mahabhisheka took a stealthy glance at her and she also returned that glance. This was noted by Brahma who turned both of them into human beings by a curse. Gangadevi begged pardon and Brahma lifted the curse and blessed her that the Ashthavasus would come to the earth to be born as her sons and that afterwards she could come back to heaven. After that Gangadevi was born as a mortal woman in the world under the name Ganga and she spent her days in the forests near the Ganga river valleys. \nIn those days the ruler of the lunar dynasty was a king named Pratipa. Having no children he went to the bank of the Ganga and performed tapas there. Gangadevi who was moving about in the forests nearby\, saw the king deeply absorbed in tapas. She approached him and sat on his right thigh. She wanted the king to be her husband. He explained to her that the right thigh is the proper seat of the daughter-in-law and so she would become his son’s wife in due course. In due course of time\, Pratipa has a son\, Shantanu\, born to him. When Shantanu grew up into a young man\, one day he went for a hunt to the Ganga-valley and there he met Gangadevi. He fell in love with her at first sight and courted her. Gangadevi agreed to become his wife on the condition that he should not say anything to displease her and if he violated that condition she would leave him. The king accepted the condition and they became man and wife. \nAt about that time\, the wife of Dyo\, one of the Ashthavasus\, happened to see the sacrificial cow of the sage Vasishtha and wished to have it. She expressed her desire to her husband\, Dyo. Dyo with the other seven vasus went and took away by force Vasishtha’s cow. Vasishtha in his anger cursed the Ashthavasus to be born as mortals. they repented and begged pardon from Vasishtha. The sage told them that all of them would be born as the sons of Gangadevi and all except Dyo\, who actually stole the cow\, would return to heaven at the time of birth itself. As for Dyo\, he would continue to live in the world for a long time\, as an adventurous hero. \nGangadevi became pregnant and gave birth to her first child. She carried the child to the river Ganga and threw it into the river. Shantanu who followed her up to the river bank\, did not say anything against her\, remebering his promise. \nSeven children were born to her and she threw all of them into the river in this way. When she gave birth to the eighth child Shantanu insisted that he would not allow her to throw away that child in the river. As he had violated the conditions of his promise\, the angry Gangadevi left the palace with her child. She named it Devavrata and brought him up in the forest. The sage Vasishtha and Gangadevi taught him all branches of knowledge. Thirtytwo years later\, the king went to the same forest for hunting. He saw a handsome by stopping the flow of the river Ganga. Getting interested in the boy\, the king approached him. But by that time he had disappeared. The king prayed to Gangadevi to give back the child. She appeared with the child and after handing over the child to him vanished. The king returned to the palace with the child (Mahabharata\, Adi Parva\, Chapters 95-100.) \nThe name of Bhishma:\nDevavrata was anointed\, as heir-apparent. One day king Shantanu reached the forest near the Ganga river valley\, for hunting. As he was hunting absorbed in the beauty of the forest scenery\, he felt the perfume of musk filling the air in the forest. He wondered from where it could come. He went on and on trying to find out the source of this smell until he reached the cottage of a fisherman. The fisherman had a daughter named Satyavati. It was from her that the fragrance of musk spread all around (Satyavati’s original name was Kali. The fisherman got her from the stomach of a fish. Since she had a smell of a fish she got the name Matsyagandhi. She used to assist a fisherman in his work as a ferryman in the river Ganga. Once the sage Parasara happened to get into her boat and fell deeply in love with her. The sage removed the smell of fish from her and gave her the perfume of musk instead. By this mystic power he created a mist at noon and under its cover\, he had a sexual union with her. As a result of it the child Krsna (Vyaasa) was born. The child immediately left the mother to perform tapas in the forest after promising to return to her whenever she wished for his presence. Although she gave birth to a child\, Parasara blessed her that she would again remain a virgin. The whole episode remained a secret. As usual\, Satyavati returned to the fisherman’s cottage in the evening and continued to live with him. It is at this stage that Shantanu was attracted by the perfume of musk and came to the cottage where he met Satyavati. \nThe king fell in love with her at first sight. He asked the fisherman to give the girl in marriage to him. But the brave fisherman did not yeild to the king’s demand immediately. He laid down several conditions; one of which was that Satyavati’s sons should succeed to the throne of Shantanu. The king was in a fix. Devavrata was the eldest son and heir-apparent. To deny kingship to his sons would be highly improper. Unable to find a solution to this difficult problem\, the king returned to the palace\, much depressed and gloomy. there he avoided all company and took to his bed\, passing his time in sadness and solitude. \nWhen Devavrata knew about hism father’s condition\, he called the Ministers and asked them about it. They told him everything in details. At once\, without informing even his father\, Devavrata went to the fisherman’s cottage on the bank of the river Ganges and begged for Satyavati on behalf of his father. the fisherman repeated his former condition. Devavrata agreed that Satyavati’s son shall be given the right of kinship. The fisherman pointed out that disputes were likely to arise between Devavrata’s sons and Satyavati’s children regarding the right of succession to the throne. At once Devavrata stood up and made a solemn pledge (drdavrata) that he would remain a bachelor for life. The fisherman gave Satyavati to Devavrata to be taken to the king. Devavrata took her to the palace and presented her to his father. The king\, when he came to know of the part played by his son in that matter\, rose from his bed and embraced Devavrata with tears of joy and gratitude. the gods showered flowers on the scene. Because he had taken such a solemn oath\, it was decalred that henceforth he would be known by the name BHISHMA. The loving father Shantanu also gave him a boon that Bhishma would die only when he wished. (Mahabharata. Adi Parva\, Chapter 100.)
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/bhismastami-26th-jan-2026/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260127
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260128
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T133609Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T065801Z
UID:47547-1769472000-1769558399@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sripada Madhvacarya Disappearance Day 27th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Madhvacharya is the principal acharya\, or spiritual teacher\, in in the Brahma-sampradaya\, the Vaisnava disciplic line from which the Gaudiya sampradaya descends. He was born in Udupi\, South India\, in the early thirteenth century.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sripada-madhvacarya-disappearance-day-27th-jan-2026/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260129
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20251229T133926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T101931Z
UID:47549-1769558400-1769644799@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Sripada Ramanujacarya Disappearance Day 28th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Ramanujacharya was the principal acarya in the Sri sampradaya\, one of the four main lines of Vaisnava teachers and disciples. His Vedanta-sutra commentary Sri-bhasya establishes the doctrine known as Visistadvaita\, “qualified nondualism.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/sripada-ramanujacarya-disappearance-day-28th-jan-2026/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260130
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20260110T074437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T124322Z
UID:47708-1769644800-1769731199@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Bhaimi (Jaya) Ekadashi 29th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:It is said that if one observes upavasa on this day then one receives entrance to Visnu’s abode\, even though one has not performed the other vratas of the year.\nYudhisthira Maharaj said\, “Oh Lord of the lords\, Sri Krishna\, all glories unto You! Oh Master of the universe\, You alone are the source of the four types of living entities those born from eggs\, those born from perspiration\, those born from seeds and those born from embryos. You alone are the root cause of all\, Oh Lord\, and therefore You are the creator\, maintainer and destroyer. \n“My Lord\, You have so kindly explained to me the auspicious day known as Sat-tila Ekadashi\, which occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Magha (January February). Now please explain to me the Ekadashi that occurs in the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) of this month. By what name is it known\, and what is the process for observing it? Who is the presiding Deity that is to be worshipped on this sublime day\, which is so very dear to You? \nLord Sri Krishna replied\, “Oh Yudhisthira\, I shall gladly tell you about the Ekadashi that occurs during the light half of this month of Magha. This Ekadashi obliterates all kinds of sinful reactions and demoniac influences that may be affecting the spirit soul. It is known as JayA Ekadashi\, and the fortunate soul who observes a fast on this sacred day is relieved of the great burden of ghostly existence. Thus there is no better Ekadashi than this\, for it truly bestows freedom from birth and death. It is to be honoured very carefully and diligently. So I as you to listen to Me very attentively\, Oh Pandava\, as I explain a wonderful historic episode regarding this Ekadashi\, an episode that I have already related in the Padma Purana. \n“Long\, long ago in the heavenly planets\, Lord Indra ruled his celestial kingdom very nicely\, and all the devas (demigods) living there were very happy and content. In Nandana Forest\, which was beautifully graced with Parijata Flowers\, Indra drank ambrosia whenever he liked and enjoyed the service of fifty million celestial maidens\, the Apsaras\, who danced in ecstasy for his pleasure. \n“Many singers\, led by Pushpadanta\, sang in sweet voices beyond compare. Chitrasena\, Indra’s chief musician was there in the company of his wife MAlini and his handsome son Malyavan. An Apsara named Pushpavati became very much attracted to Malyavan; indeed Cupid’s sharp arrows pierced the core of her heart. Her beautiful body and complexion\, along with the enchanting movements of her eyebrows\, captivated MAlayavAn. \n“Oh King\, listen as I describe the splendid beauty of Pushpavati: She has incomparably graceful arms with which to embrace a man like a fine silken noose; her face resembles the Moon; her lotus eyes reached almost to her lovely ears\, which were adorned with wonderful and costly ear-rings; her thin\, ornamented neck looked like a conch\, having three lines; her waist was very slender\, the size of a fist; her hips were broad\, and her thighs like the trunks of banana trees; her naturally beautiful features were complemented by gorgeous ornaments and garments; her breasts were highly raised emphasizing her prime of youth; and to look upon her feet was to behold newly grown red lotuses. \n“Seeing Pushpavati in all her heavenly beauty\, Malyavan was bewitched at once. They had come with the other performers to please Lord Indra by singing and dancing enchantingly\, but because they had become so enamored of each other\, pierced through the heart by the arrows of Cupid\, lust personified\, they were utterly unable to sing or dance properly before the lord and master of the heavenly realms. \nTheir pronunciation was wrong and their rhythm careless. Lord Indra understood the source of the errors at once. Offended at the discord in the musical performance\, he became very angry and screamed\, “You useless fools! You pretend to sing for me while in a stupour of infatuation with each other! You are mocking me! I curse you both to suffer henceforth as pisAchas (hobgoblins). As husband and wife\, go to the earthly regions and reap the reactions of your offenses.’ \n“Struck dumb by these harsh words\, Malyavan and Pushpavati at once became morose and fell from the beautiful Nandana Forest in the kingdom of heaven to a Himalayan peak here on planet Earth.\nImmeasurably distressed\, and their celestial intelligence vastly diminished by the effects of lord Indra’s fierce curse\, they lost their sense of taste and smell\, and even their sense of touch. It was so cold and miserable high on the Himalayan wastes of snow and ice that they could not even enjoy the oblivion of sleep. \n“Roaming aimlessly hither and thither in those harsh altitudes\, Malyavan and Pushpavati suffered more and more\, from one moment to the next. Even though they were situated in a cave\, because of the snowfall and cold their teeth chattered ceaselessly\, and their hair stood on end because of their fright and bewilderment. \n“In this utterly desperate situation\, Malyavan said to Pushpavati\, ‘What abominable sins did we commit to have to suffer in these pisAcha bodies\, in this impossible environment? This is absolutely hellish! Though hell is very ferocious\, the suffering we are undergoing here is even more abominable. Therefore it is abundantly clear that one should never commit sins”. \n“And so the forlorn lovers trudged onward in the snow and ice. By their great good fortune\, however\, it so happened that very day was the all auspicious JayA Ekadashi\, the Ekadashi of the light fortnight of the month of Magha. Because of their misery they neglected to drink any water\, kill any game\, or even eat whatever fruits and leaves were available at that altitude\, they unknowingly observed Ekadashi by fasting completely from all food and drink. Sunk in misery Malyavan and Pushpavati collapsed beneath a Pipal tree and did not even try to get up. The Sun had set by that time. \n“The night was even colder and more miserable than the day. They shivered in the frigid snowfall as their teeth chattered in unison\, and when they became numb\, they embraced just to keep warm. Locked in each other’s arms\, they could enjoy neither sleep nor sex. Thus they suffered through the whole night under the powerful curse of the deva Indra. \n“ Still\, Oh Yudhisthira\, by the mercy of the fast they had by chance (unknowingly) observed on Jaya Ekadashi\, and because they had remained awake all night\, they were blessed. \nPlease hear what happened on the next day. As DwAdasii dawned\, Malyavan and Pushpavati had given up their demoniac forms and were once again beautiful heavenly beings wearing lustrous ornaments and exquisite garments. As they both looked at each other in amazement\, a celestial airplane (vimana) arrived on the spot for them. A chorus of heavenly denizens sang their praises as the reformed couple stepped into the beautiful aircraft and proceeded directly to the heavenly regions\, buoyed up by the good wishes of everyone. Soon Malyavan and Pushpavati arrived at AmarAvati\, Lord Indra’s capital city\, and then they immediately went before their lord (Indradev) and offered him their cheerful obeisances. \n“Lord Indra was astonished to see that they had been transformed\, restored to their original status and forms so soon after he had cursed them to suffer as demons far\, far below his celestial kingdom. Indradev ask of them\, ‘What extraordinary meritorious deeds have you performed so that you could give up your pisAcha bodies so quickly after I cursed you? Who released you from my irresistible curse? \n“Malyavan replied\, ‘Oh lord\, it was by the extreme mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, Lord Sri Krishna (Vasudeva) and also by the powerful influence of the Jaya Ekadashi\, that we were released from our suffering condition as pisAchas. This is the truth\, Oh master: Because we executed devotional service to Lord Vishnu (even performed unknowingly by ajnAta sukriti) by observing the day most dear to Him\, we have happily been restored to our former status.” \n“Indradev then said\, ‘Because you served the Supreme Lord Sri Keshava by observing Ekadashi\, you have become worshippable even by me\, and I can see that you are now completely purified of sin. Whosoever engages in devotional service to Lord Sri Hari or Lord Shiva becomes praiseworthy and worshippable even by me. Of this there is no doubt.’ Lord Indradev then gave Malyavan and Pushpavati free rein to enjoy each other and wander about his heavenly planet as they wished. \n“Therefore\, Oh Maharaj Yudhisthira\, one should strictly observe a fast on the sacred day of Lord Hari\, especially on this Jaya Ekadashi\, which frees one from the sin of killing even a twice born brahmin. A great soul who observes this fast with full faith and devotion has in effect given all kinds of charity\, performed all kinds of sacrifice\, and bathed in all the Holy places of pilgrimage. Fasting on Jaya Ekadashi qualifies one to reside in Vaikuntha and enjoy unending happiness for billions of yugas indeed\, forever as the soul is eternal. Oh great king\, Lord Sri Krishna continued\, one who even hears or reads these wonderful glories of Jaya Ekadashi achieves the blessed merit attained by performing an Agnistoma fire sacrifice\, during which the hymns from the Sama-veda are recited.” \nNotes: Kamadeva\, lust personified\, has five names according to the Amara-kosha dictionary: kandarpa darpako ‘nanga Kamah pancha-sharaih smarah “Cupid has five names; (1) Cupid; (2) Darpaka\, ‘he who prevents future events’; (3) Ananga\, ‘he who has no physical body’; (4) Kama\, ‘lust personified’; and (5) Pancha-sharaih\, ‘he who holds five arrows’ “. \nKandarpa: In the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (BG 10:28.) Lord Sri Krishna says\, prajanash casmi kandarpah; “Of causes for procreation\, I am Kandarpa”. The word Kandarpa also means “very beautiful”. Kandarpa appeared as Lord Krishna’s son Pradyumna in Dwaraka.\nDarpaka: This name indicates that Cupid can perceive what is to take place and prevent it from happening. Specifically\, he tries to impede pure spiritual activity by alluring one’s mind and forcibly engaging one in material sense enjoyment.\nAnanga: Once\, when Cupid disturbed the meditation of Lord Shiva\, that powerful deva (demigod) burned him (Cupid) to ashes. Still\, Shiva gave Cupid the benediction that he would act in the world even without a physical body like a ghost.\nKama: In Bhagavad Gita BG 7:11.) Lord Sri Krishna says\, dharmaviruddho bhuteshu kamo’smi: “I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles.”\nPancha-sharaih: The five arrows with which Cupid pierces the mind of the living entities are taste\, touch\, sound\, smell\, and sight.\nThese are the five names of the empowered deva Cupid\, who enchants all living entities and makes them do whatever he wants. Without receiving the mercy of Guru and Krishna one cannot resist his power.
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/bhaimi-jaya-ekadashi-29th-jan-2026/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260131
DTSTAMP:20260419T215638
CREATED:20260110T074738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T124410Z
UID:47710-1769731200-1769817599@www.iskconpunjabibagh.com
SUMMARY:Varaha Dvadasi 30th Jan 2026
DESCRIPTION:Varahadeva is the boar incarnation Sri Krsna. He assumed the form of a boar to lift the drowning planet earth from the Garbhodaka Ocean with His tusks. \nThe demon Hiryanyaksa had thrown the planet earth into this ocean\, but the Lord stabbed the demon with His tusks and saved the earth. After describing the appearance of the white Boar Incarnation that had appeared during the Svayambhuva devastation\, Maitreya next described the red Boar Incarnation that had appeared during the Chakshusha devastation. Maitreya related these pastimes to Vidura in the same manner in which he had heard them long ago when Lord Brahma had narrated them to the demigods. \nOnce upon a time\, at sunset\, Kashyapa\, the son of Marichi\, was offering oblations to Lord Vishnu into the sacrificial fire. At this time\, his wife\, Diti\, approached him due to being greatly afflicted by sex desire. Without trying to attract him gradually by her bodily expressions\, the beautiful Diti frankly begged her husband\, “O learned one\, Cupid is forcibly distressing me with his arrows\, just as an elephant troubles a banana tree. I want to have sons like my co-wives and so you should be merciful to me.” “My father\, Daksha\, had separately asked each of his daughters\, whom we preferred to marry. Then\, after understanding our intentions\, he handed over thirteen of his daughters to you\, and we have been faithful to you ever since that time. O lotus-eyed one\, when someone in distress approaches a great person\, his pleas should never go in vain.” \nThe hen-pecked Kashyapa could have strongly refused his wife\, but because he was also sexually inclined\, he tried to pacify Diti\, who had become very poor-hearted and talkative\, due to the contamination of lust. Kashyapa said\, “O afflicted one\, I shall soon gratify your desire. It is only due to having a good wife that a man like me can cross over the great ocean of material existence. Indeed\, a wife is so helpful that she is called the better half of a man’s body. Just as a military commander can easily conquer invaders while remaining protected within a fort\, so a man can conquer his senses by taking shelter of a good wife. For this reason\, a man could never repay his wife for all the benefit that he derives from her\, even if he were to try to do so during his entire lifetime\, or even after death.” \n“My dear Diti\, although I cannot sufficiently repay you\, I will satisfy your sex desire for the purpose of begetting children. I only request you to wait for a few minutes so that I may not become subject to criticism. The present moment is most inauspicious because at this time Lord Shiva rides upon his bull carrier\, accompanied by his horrible ghostly companions. He gives such ghosts the chance of getting a gross material body by placing them into the wombs of women that indulge in sexual intercourse during this forbidden period. Lord Shiva is your sister’s husband\, and with his three eyes\, he will see your forbidden act.” \nIn spite of receiving such good instructions from her husband\, Diti was so oppressed by sex desire that she caught hold of Kashyapa’s clothes just like a shameless prostitute\, and thus she practically forced him to gratify her lusty urge. After offering obeisances unto worshipful fate\, Kashyapa lay down with Diti in a secluded place. After finishing the forbidden act\, Kashyapa purified himself by bathing and once again sat down to chant the Gayatri mantra\, while meditating upon the impersonal aspect of the Absolute. Meanwhile\, after having gratified her lust\, Diti came to her senses. With her head lowered in shame\, she approached her husband and said\, “My dear brahmana\, please insure that my embryo is not killed by Lord Shiva\, because of the great offense that I have committed against him.” \nDiti then prayed for Lord Shiva’s mercy in a very clever manner: “Let me offer my obeisance unto the angry Lord Shiva. He is so great that he can immediately destroy my embryo\, but at the same time he is so merciful and forgiving. Lord Shiva is known as the lord of all women\, who are excused even by uncivilized hunters\, and therefore I beg him to spare me from his wrath.” \nAs Diti stood before him\, trembling due to fear of his anger\, Kashyapa said\, “Because of your polluted mind\, the improper time\, your disobedience\, and your neglect of the demigods\, your conception will produce two abominable sons who will create havoc within the world by killing innocent persons\, torturing women\, and enraging the great souls. As a result\, the Supreme Lord will incarnate to kill them\, just as Indra smashes mountains with his thunderbolt.” \nDiti replied\, “O my husband\, it is a great relief for me to know that my sons will be killed by the all-merciful Supreme Lord\, rather than the wrath of the brahmanas. One who offends the brahmanas or causes fear to others is so condemned that even those who are already in hell\, or who are of the degraded species in which he will later on appear\, feel no compassion toward him.” \nKashyapa then informed Diti\, “Due to your repentance and firm faith in the Supreme Lord\, as well as your adoration for Lord Shiva and myself\, one of your grandsons will be a greatly exalted devotee whose fame will rival that of the Lord Himself. Because of his great devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, others will follow in his footsteps\, and because of his having satisfied the Supreme Lord\, everyone will become pleased with him. As a first-class devotee\, your grandson will be able to see the Supreme Lord\, within and without; he will be a reservoir of all good qualities; and he will feel very pained to see the suffering of the conditioned souls in this material world.” \nAfter hearing about the glories of Prahlada\, Diti became very pleased. But\, because she could understand that her sons would cause great disturbances to the demigods\, she continued to bear the powerful embryos for one hundred years without giving birth. Still\, the force of Diti’s pregnancy disturbed the entire universe\, and the light of sun and moon became impaired. \nAfter observing this fearful condition\, the demigods approached Lord Brahma and submitted\, “O lord\, just see this darkness that is expanding in all directions. O sustainer of the universe\, who knows the intentions of all living entities\, Diti’s pregnancy has caused this great disturbance\, and thus our work has become suspended. Please be merciful unto us\, for we have fallen into a very miserable condition.” \nIn response\, Lord Brahma informed the demigods of what had happened long ago. After having travelled all over the material creation\, the four sages Sanaka\, Sanatana\, Sanandana and Sanat-kumara\, entered the spiritual sky\, wherein the Vaikuntha planets are situated. They were able to do this due to being freed from all material contamination. In the abode of Lord Narayana\, the residents have forms similar to that of the Supreme Lord\, and everyone is engaged in His unalloyed devotional service. There are many forests full of desire-trees\, and throughout all seasons they are filled with fruit and flowers. \nWhile flying in their airplanes\, along with their consorts\, the inhabitants of Vaikuntha eternally sing of the character and pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Although the consorts that crowd the airplanes have large hips and beautifully smiling faces\, they cannot stimulate the passion of the residents of Vaikuntha. This means that in Vaikuntha there is the enjoyment of the association with the opposite sex\, but there is no sexual relationship\, because everyone is fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness. When the king of bees hums in a high pitch\, singing the glories of the Lord\, the cuckoos\, cranes\, chakravakas\, swans\, parrots and peacocks temporarily stop their singing to listen. Although flowers\, such as the champaka\, bakula\, parijata and lotus are transcendentally fragrant\, they are still conscious of tulasi’s austerities\, and of how the Lord prefers to garland Himself with her leaves. The ladies of Vaikuntha are as beautiful as the goddess of fortune\, and yet they are sometimes seen cleaning the marble walls\, just to receive the grace of the Supreme Lord\, even though there is practically no dust. \nUpon reaching the outskirts of Vaikuntha\, the four Kumaras felt an unprecedented transcendental happiness. Then\, after easily passing through six gates\, the sages saw two doormen at the seventh gate that had similar bodily features and carried strong maces. They were four-armed and of bluish complexion\, and due to their arched eyebrows\, discontented nostrils and reddish eyes\, they appeared somewhat agitated. The four Kumaras had opened doors everywhere without any conception of “ours” and “theirs”\, and so they innocently began to pass through the seventh gate. The sages\, who had nothing to cover their bodies but the atmosphere\, looked just like five-year-old boys\, although they were the oldest created beings\, next to Brahma.\nDue to possessing a disposition quite unpalatable to the Lord\, the two gatekeepers rudely blocked the Kumaras’ entrance with their staffs. The Lord is always anxious to serve great sages\, and thus the Kumaras were never to be prohibited from entering Vaikuntha. The boy-sages had been very eager to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, and so upon being checked by the Lord’s two chief doorkeepers\, they immediately became agitated. Their eyes red with rage\, the Kumaras exclaimed\, “Who are these persons who are engaging in the Lord’s service and yet have developed a discordant mentality? They must be imposters\, and so they suspect others to be just like themselves. In Vaikuntha there is perfect harmony between the Supreme Lord and the other inhabitants. These two persons are dressed like the residents of Vaikuntha\, but where has this seed of disharmony come from? Because of seeing duality\, they have become contaminated. Therefore\, they should be put into the material world\, where everyone is conceived of as being either a friend or an enemy.” \nWhen the gatekeepers realized that they were being cursed by the brahmanas\, they at once became very afraid. After falling down at the Kumaras’ feet\, they begged\, “You are correct in punishing us for having neglected such great souls as yourselves. Still\, in consideration of our repentance\, we pray that you mercifully insure that the illusion of forgetting the Supreme Personality of Godhead will not overwhelm us as we fall down.”\nJust at that moment\, the Supreme Lord\, having learned of this incident\, came there on foot accompanied by the goddess of fortune. Thus\, the four Kumaras saw Lord Vishnu before them\, Whom they had formerly seen only within their hearts while being absorbed in the ecstatic trance of meditation.\nThe Lord’s beautiful blackish body was dressed in bright yellow cloth\, and around His neck hung a garland of fresh flowers that was encircled by humming bees. While resting one of His hands upon Garuda’s shoulder\, the Lord twirled a lotus flower in another. Indeed\, His beauty was so excellent that it defeated the pride of the goddess of fortune\, and thus the Kumaras looked at Him with unsated eyes. \nAs the Kumaras joyfully bowed their heads\, the breeze that carried the aroma of tulasi leaves from the toes of the Lord’s lotus feet entered their nostrils\, causing a spiritual transformation in their body and mind\, even though they had been fully attached to the impersonal Brahman. In other words\, the Kumaras became converted from impersonalists that had desired to merge into the Lord’s brahmajyoti\, to devotees who desire to render service to the Lord. \nAfter seeing the Lord’s transcendental body\, the Kumaras advanced to the stage of constant meditation upon His personal feature. Their anger having subsided\, the four sages prayed\, “Our dear Lord\, whatever we had heard about You from our father\, Lord Brahma\, has now been confirmed by Your kind appearance before us. We now understand that the most elevated transcendentalists are those that constantly engage in hearing about Your pastimes\, without caring for any other benediction\, including liberation.” “O Lord\, we don’t mind being born in any hellish condition\, as long as our hearts and minds are always engaged in Your devotional service.” \nBy dint of the Lord’s presence\, the Kumaras realized that it had been improper for them to curse the doorkeepers\, in spite of the offense that had been committed. \nThe Supreme Lord then said\, “These attendants of Mine\, Jaya and Vijaya\, have committed a great offense against you by ignoring My desire. I approve of the punishment that you have awarded to My servants. Indeed\, since these doormen are My servants\, I consider Myself to be the one that has offended you\, and for this reason\, I seek your forgiveness. Whatever wrong a servant commits causes people in general to blame the master\, just as a single spot of white leprosy is considered to pollute the whole skin.” \n“For Me\, the brahmanas are the most worshipable personalities\, and so I am prepared to cut off My arm if its conduct proves to be hostile toward you. Because I am the servant of My devotees\, My lotus feet have become so sacred that they immediately purify one of all sins. I do not enjoy the offerings that are made into the sacrificial fire with as much relish as I enjoy the delicacies cooked in ghee that are offered to the mouths of the brahmanas who have dedicated their lives unto Me.” “The Ganga is the remnants of water left after washing My feet\, and it sanctifies the three worlds. If I can take the dust of the Vaishnavas’ feet upon My head\, then who would refuse to do the same? These servants of Mine have offended you due to not knowing My mind. Still\, I will consider it a great favor if you allow them to return to My presence soon\, after reaping the consequences of their transgression.” \nAfter hearing with wide-open ears\, the Lord’s extremely humble and beautiful speech\, which was difficult to comprehend due to its profound import\, the Kumaras pondered over its meaning for some time. Although the sages could not understand the Lord’s actual intention\, a thrill passed through their bodies due to the delight of simply beholding Him. Understanding their fault in cursing the Lord’s faultless servants\, the Kumaras said\, “O Lord\, we cannot understand Your plans\, for You have spoken as if we had done something good for You. Your adoration of the brahmanas is meant to teach others\, for it is You who are the supreme worshipable Deity.” “O Lord\, whatever punishment You wish to award to these two innocent persons\, or to us\, we shall accept without duplicity.” \nThe Lord replied\, “O brahmanas\, I have already ordained the punishment that you inflicted upon Jaya and Vijay\, and thus they will have to accept birth in a demoniac family. But\, by concentration of their minds upon Me in anger\, they will always remain connected with Me\, and soon thereafter\, they will return to My abode.” \nIt is to be understood that the Lord Himself engineered the cursing of Jaya and Vijaya. Ordinarily\, there is no possibility that the Kumaras could become so angry\, that the Lord could neglect His gatekeepers\, or that anyone could return to the material world after reaching Vaikuntha. Sometimes\, the Lord desires to fight\, and because there are no enemies in Vaikuntha\, He incarnates into the material world for this purpose. The Lord only likes to perform His pastimes along with His associates\, however\, and so He chooses a devotee to play the part of His enemy. Then\, after making a temporary show of fighting\, the Lord recalls His devotee to the spiritual world. \nThereafter\, the four Kumaras circumambulated the Lord\, offered their obeisances\, and departed from the gates of Vaikuntha. The Lord then ordered Jaya and Vijaya\, “Depart from here\, but do not be afraid. I could have nullified the brahmanas’ curse\, but I chose not to do so. Lakshmi\, whom you had once stopped at the gate while I was sleeping\, already predicted your fall. Although seven births in the material world are your designated punishment\, I want you to accept three demoniac births instead. By practicing mystic yoga in anger\, you will become quickly cleansed of your sinful reactions\, and thus be able to return to Me in a very short time.” \nAfter saying this\, the Lord departed\, and Jaya and Vijaya\, who had become morose and pale because of the brahmanas’ curse\, fell down from Vaikuntha. As they were falling\, the Kumaras reassured them that after three demoniac births\, they would once again return to Vaikuntha. The demigods\, who were observing all of this from their celestial airplanes\, let out a great roar of disappointment\, and thereafter\, Jaya and Vijaya entered Diti’s womb\, after being covered by Kashyapa’s powerful semen. \nLord Brahma then concluded by informing the demigods\, “It is the prowess of these twin demons that has disturbed you\, by minimizing your own potency. I have no remedy for this situation\, however\, for all of this is taking place by the desire of the Lord. Rest assured that the Supreme Lord will come to our rescue\, and so do not bother to speculate any longer about the dense darkness that is covering all directions.”\nAfter hearing this\, the demigods became relieved from their fear and returned to their respective abodes. Meanwhile\, after bearing her embryos for one hundred years\, Diti gave birth to twin sons who were great demons. At this time\, there were many fearful natural disturbances\, such as earthquakes\, and raging fires were seen burning everywhere. The inauspicious planets\, such as Saturn and Mars\, outshone the auspicious ones like Venus and Jupiter; and comets\, meteors and thunderbolts appeared in the sky. Fierce winds made a displeasing hissing noise and uprooted great trees; and due to the covering of clouds\, all became shrouded in darkness. The ocean became highly agitated\, and all of the lotuses that grew within the rivers and lakes withered. \nSolar and lunar eclipses occurred repeatedly\, and from the mountain caves came sounds like the rattling of chariots. She-jackals vomited fire while crying out ominously\, and asses ran here and there in herds\, striking the earth with their hard hooves and braying loudly. Being frightened by the braying asses\, birds flew shrieking from their nests\, and cows passed stool and urine due to fear. Indeed\, the terrified cows yielded blood instead of milk\, and the clouds rained puss instead of water. The deities in the temples shed tears\, and trees fell down even though there were no gusts of wind. \nUpon seeing all of these evil omens\, everyone except the four Kumaras became seized by fear. Not knowing about the fall of Jaya and Vijaya and their subsequent birth as demons\, everyone thought that the dissolution of the universe was at hand. \nKashyapa named the first-born\, who was formerly Jaya\, Hiranyaksha and the one who was conceived first\, who was formerly Vijaya\, was named Hiranyakashipu. Soon after their birth\, the demoniac twins exhibited uncommon bodily features\, and their steel-like frames became so tall that they seemed to touch the sky. Indeed\, they blocked the view in all directions\, and as they walked\, the earth shook with every step.\nAfter performing great austerities\, Hiranyakashipu received benedictions from Lord Brahma\, and as a result\, he became unafraid of death and very proud. Being most powerful\, Hiranyakashipu was able to bring the entire three worlds under his control. His brother\, Hiranyaksha\, had also received Brahma’s benediction of near-immortality\, and so he became similarly powerful and conceited. \nTo satisfy his elder brother\, Hiranyaksha took his club and began to travel all over the universe\, with a fighting spirit. Because no one was able to kill him due to Brahma’s benediction\, even the demigods fearfully hid upon seeing Hiranyaksha\, just as snakes hide out of fear of Garuda.\nWhen Hiranyaksha thus saw Indraloka vacant\, he roared loudly\, understanding that the demigods had admitted defeat without even fighting. After returning from heaven\, Hiranyaksha sportingly dove deep into the ocean\, and upon seeing him\, all of the great aquatics panicked and fled. Finally\, after moving about in the ocean for many years\, Hiranyaksha reached Vibhavari\, Varuna’s capital. Just to make fun of the lord of the waters\, Hiranyaksha fell at his feet and smilingly begged\, “Give me battle\, O supreme lord!” \nUpon seeing Hiranyaksha’s arrogance\, Varuna became enraged. Still\, he curbed his anger by means of intelligence and replied\, “O dear one\, I have given up fighting because I am too old. You are so skilled in battle that I can see no one else but the most ancient person\, Lord Vishnu\, who can satisfy you.” \n“O chief of the Daityas\, I suggest that you approach Him\, and thus become rid of your pride by lying down dead upon the battlefield\, surrounded by carnivorous animals.” \nWithout paying any more heed to Varuna\, Hiranyaksha departed. Then\, when he happened to meet the great sage Narada\, the demon learned the whereabouts of the Supreme Lord. After once again entering the depths of the ocean\, Hiranyaksha saw the all-powerful Supreme Lord in His boar incarnation bearing the earth upwards\, while keeping her on the ends of His tusks. Upon seeing the Lord\, the demon laughingly exclaimed\, “An amphibious beast! O best of the demigods\, dressed in the form of a boar\, the earth belongs to us\, the inhabitants of the lower regions\, and so I cannot allow You to take it away from my presence. You rascal! Today I shall enliven my kinsmen by killing You. When You fall down dead with Your skull smashed by my mace\, the demigods and rishis who offer You oblations in sacrifice will also cease to be\, just like a tree that can no longer live without roots.” \nAlthough the Lord was certainly pained to hear such abusive language\, He tolerated it so that He could continue carrying the earth\, which had become very frightened. \nAs Lord Varaha rose out of the water\, Hiranyaksha chased Him and roared\, “Are You not ashamed of Yourself for running away after being challenged by an adversary? There is nothing that is reproachable for shameless creatures like You!” \nDespite these harsh words\, Lord Varaha calmly placed the earth upon the surface of the water and then empowered her with the capacity to float. At this time\, Lord Brahma and the other demigods praised the Lord for His wonderful act of lifting up the earth\, and they showered flowers upon Him. Then\, to express His terrible anger\, the Lord replied\, “Indeed\, We are creatures of the jungle and are searching for hunting dogs like you. One who is freed from the entanglement of death has no fear from the loose talk in which you are indulging\, for you are bound up by the laws of death. Now\, give up your foolish talk and attempt to kill Me. One may be very proud\, but he does not deserve a seat in an assembly if he fails to fulfill his promise.” \nBeing thus challenged\, Hiranyaksha became very angry and agitated\, and his whole body began to tremble. While hissing indignantly\, the demon sprang at the Lord and tried to strike Him with his powerful mace. By moving aside\, however\, the Lord dodged the blow\, and then with His own mace\, He attempted to smash Hiranyaksha’s forehead. Being an expert fighter\, the demon blocked the blow with his own mace\, however\, and thereafter\, a fierce encounter took place. \nAs both combatants struck one another repeatedly with their strong clubs\, the smell of blood that flowed from their wounds made them more and more furious. Being very eager for victory\, both the Lord and the demon exhibited wonderful maneuvers\, so that the battle looked like a contest between two powerful bulls for the sake of a cow. \nLord Brahma had been staying in the sky\, along with all of the demigods and celestial rishis\, so that he could witness the terrible fight that was being waged for the sake of the earth. Becoming somewhat anxious\, he addressed Lord Varaha\, “My dear Lord\, Hiranyaksha has always oppressed the demigods\, brahmanas\, cows and other innocent creatures. There is no need for You to play with this serpentine demon any longer\, for he is very skilled in utilizing mystic powers\, and he is most arrogant and wicked.” “My dear infallible Lord\, please kill him before the demoniac hour of twilight arrives and thus increases his strength. The auspicious period called abhijit began at noon and has almost passed. Therefore\, please dispose of Your formidable enemy quickly and thus establish peace within the world.” \nIn response\, the Lord heartily laughed\, while at the same time He accepted Brahma’s prayers with a glance that was laden with love. Then\, as Hiranyaksha fearlessly stood nearby\, Lord Varaha suddenly sprang at him while aiming His mace at the demon’s chin. \nHiranyaksha blocked the blow with his own mace\, however\, and as a result\, the Lord’s club slipped from His hand. That blazing mace looked splendid while whirling around and around as it fell\, and a great cry of alarm arose from the onlooking demigods and rishis. Still\, even though he had an excellent opportunity to strike his unarmed foe\, Hiranyaksha respected the etiquette for single-combat by refraining from doing so. This kindled the Lord’s fury even more\, however\, and He invoked His Sudarshana chakra. As this wonderful disc revolved in the Lord’s hand\, while He was at close quarters with His enemy\, the demigods and rishis exclaimed\, “May victory be Yours!” “Dispatch him at once!” “Don’t play with the demon any longer!”\nSeeing Lord Varaha before him with the Sudarshana chakra in His hand\, Hiranyaksha resentfully bit his lip and began to hiss like a serpent. Then\, that great demon with fearful tusks suddenly sprang into the air while wielding his club\, and while doing so\, he shouted\, “You are slain!”\nAs Hiranyaksha tried to strike Him\, Lord Varaha playfully kicked the mace from his hand with His left foot and then said\, “Pick up your weapon\, since you are so eager to conquer Me.” \nBeing so challenged\, Hiranyaksha picked up his mace and then hurled it impetuously while roaring loudly. Without even flinching\, however\, Lord Varaha easily caught the mace in His hand\, and so the demon felt greatly humiliated. Being reluctant to take back his weapon when the Lord offered it to him\, Hiranyaksha instead picked up a flaming trident and violently hurled it. As the trident blazed brightly while soaring through the sky\, Lord Varaha tore it to pieces by releasing His Sudarshana chakra. At this\, the demon became more enraged\, and while letting out a loud roar\, he rushed at Lord Varaha impetuously. After striking the Lord on the chest with his hard fist\, Hiranyaksha immediately disappeared. \nThe Lord was not disturbed in the least by the blow\, however\, any more than an elephant would feel hurt being struck by a flower garland. Thereafter\, Hiranyaksha employed many conjuring tricks against the Lord\, Who is Yogeshvara\, and all who saw the magical display thought that the dissolution of the universe was at hand. \nFierce winds began blowing and the dust that was raised created darkness in all directions. Torrents of stones fell from the sky\, along with showers of puss\, hair\, blood\, stool\, urine and bones- accompanied by lightning and thunder. Mountains discharged various weapons\, and naked demonesses with their hair hanging loose suddenly appeared\, carrying tridents. Hosts of Yakshas and Rakshasas were heard uttering cruel and savage slogans as they marched on foot or rode upon horses\, elephants and chariots. \nBy releasing His Sudarshana chakra\, however\, the Lord was able to dispel all of these illusions\, and at that moment\, a shudder of terror passed through Diti’s heart. While recalling the words of her husband\, blood began to flow from her breasts. \nWhen Hiranyaksha saw that his magical creations had been dispelled\, he once again made himself visible. In a fit of rage\, he tried to crush the Lord within his arms as a last resort. But\, to his great surprise\, after trying to grab the Lord\, the demon found that He was still outside the circle of his arms. Then\, as Hiranyaksha angrily struck Him with his fists\, Lord Varaha slapped him indifferently at the root of the ear\, making him stagger backwards. With his eyeballs bulging out of their sockets\, his hair scattered\, and his limbs broken\, the great demon fell down dead\, like an uprooted tree. \nLord Brahma and the other demigods quickly arrived at that spot\, to see the slain body of the demon close up. Still biting his lip\, Hiranyaksha’s bodily luster had not faded\, in spite of the absence of the soul\, because the Lord’s lotus foot remained touching it. Lord Brahma admiringly said\, “Oh\, who could meet with such a blessed death? This fortunate demon was struck by the lotus foot of the Lord\, upon Whom yogis meditate in mystic trance in the hopes of gaining liberation from their unreal\, material bodies.” \nThereafter\, the demigods expressed their great appreciation for the Lord’s having assumed His Varaha form and relieving them of their agonizing fear of the demon. After receiving the demigods’ praises\, the Lord returned to His own abode in the spiritual world\, where there is always an uninterrupted festival going on. \nSuta Gosvami concluded his narration by saying\, “O brahmanas\, anyone who hears\, chants\, or takes pleasure in the wonderful description of Lord Varaha’s killing of Hiranyaksha is at once relieved from the results of all kinds of sinful activities\, including the killing of a brahmana.”
URL:https://www.iskconpunjabibagh.com/event/varaha-dvadasi-30th-jan-2026/
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