Friday, July 30, 2010

Spiritual Calendar August 2010


6th August: Kamika Ekadasi is on a Friday. Please have your last meal on Thursday night and break your fast with grains on Saturday morning.


The story of Kamika Ekadashi from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana is as follows: The saintly king Yudhishthira requested Lord Krishna to narrate glories of the ekadashi which occurs during the dark fortnight of the Shravan Month (July-August).Krishna said that once Narada Muni asked Lord Brahma the name of this ekadashi,the deity who was to be worshipped, the process to be followed and its merits.Lord Brahma happily agreed because just hearing about the Kamika Ekadashi is equivalent to performing a horse sacrifice.


One who worships Lord Vishnu attains greater merit than bathing in the Ganges,having darshan of Lord Kedarnath in the Himalayas,bathing at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, donating earth in charity, taking a dip in the Kali Gandaki River or Godavari River on full moon. Observing Kamika Ekadashi bestows the same merit as donating a milk-cow and her calf along with their fodder. Oh Narada, Lord Krishna himself confirmed that the one who fasts on Kamidka Ekadashi is more blessed than a person studying the spiritual texts and does not have to suffer future births.


Lord Krishna affirmed that this sacred day nullifies the sin of killing a brahman or an unborn child in the womb and transports one to Viakuntha, where Lord Vishnu forever dwells.


7th August: Shiva Pradosha Fast is on a Saturday


Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight for propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings all desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment.It is said that on this day all gods and goddesses assemble at Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva.


Generally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every trayodashi tithi (13th lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) in the evening.


Worship of Shiva throughout the night, bathing the Shivalinga with panchamrta (milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey), homa, japa or chanting of the mulamantra (Aum Nama Shivaya) and praying for forgiveness are the other religious observances. At the end of the vrata one must do parana (break the fast by partaking the offerings).


Shri Radha Ramanji in a Phool Bangla in Vrindavan

10th August: Hariyali Amavasya is on a Tuesday. It is a monsoon festival celebrated on Amavasya in the Shravan month in North India.Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day for wealth, prosperity and a good harvest.Grand fairs are held in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated with enthused fervour in Dwarkadhish temple of Mathura, Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and other temples of Lord Krishna and Shiva.


This day culminates the Phool Bangla Utsav in Banke Bihari Temple of Vrindavan, during which a house of flowers is made daily in the evening. Great importance is give to the green colour in this festival since it reflects the greenery of nature after the first showers of monsoon.


12th August: Hariyali Teej is on a Thursday.The first of the three main Teej festivals is observed three days after Hariyali Amavasya. Vrindavan is certainly worth a visit on this day since Shri Bihariji is posited on a jhoola sinhasan, religious hymns are chanted and lilas of Radha-Krishna are narrated. Saint Ushaji's Thakurji is already resplendent on a swing from 4 to 6 pm for the entire month of Shravan.


15th August: Kalki Jayanti is on a Sunday when Lord Kalki will take birth in this Kaliyuga. Observed on Shukla Paksha Sashti in the month of Shravan it is the most auspicious time to purchase a new house or car.In Hinduism, Kalki is the tenth and final incarnation of Vishnu who will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction. Kalka in Sanskrit refers to ignorance and hence denotes the "destroyer of darkness". Other similar derivations from Sanskrit - include one simply meaning "White Horse". In South India Kalki Jayanti is to be celebrated in the month of Bhadrapad on 10th September,2010.


15th August: Shri Hari Kirtan is at Mr.Kuldeep Rai Chadha's residence from 5 to 7 pm. It has been preponed to Sunday for the devotees' convenience and all are requested to attend.


16th August: Goswami Tulsidasji's Jayanti is on the third Monday of Shravan, the month of Lord Shiva. On this day we celebrate the appearance of Shri Goswami Tulsidas, the great devotee of Lord Rama and the writer of 'Shri Ramcharitmanas', a great Hindu scripture and poetic classic. He was born on the Shravan Shukla Saptami in 1498 AD in Rajpur, Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh and was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth.


He intensely loved his wife Buddhimati and she explained that if he loved Lord Rama half as much as her he would attain eternal bliss. Thereafter Tulsidas became an ascetic. He got a vision of Lord Rama through Hanumanji and began composing the Shri Ramcharitmanas. On Tulsidas Jayanti one must read or hear the Ramcharitmanas, visit shrines of Lord Rama and Hanumanji and feed Brahmins.


Lord Vishnu

20th August: Putrada Ekadashi is on a Friday. It is observed during the waxing phase of the moon in the months of July-August in Gujarat, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In North India Putrada Ekadashi is observed in the Paush Month or December-January. It is said that by fasting on Putrada Ekadashi one is pardoned of all sins committed.


The significance of this ekadashi was explained by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira and is found in the 'Bhavisyotara Purana'. There is a popular belief that married couples with no offspring will be blessed with children if they observe the Putrada Ekadasi.Most devoteess of Lord Vishnu fast on this day and some do not sleep.Those fasting partially abstain from food made of rice.


24th August: Rakhi or Purnima is on a Tuesday. According to the Hindu Calendar Rakhi falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day) which corresponds to July-August as per the English Calendar. In Mumbai the festival is called Narial Purnima or coconut full moon and people of Kerala term it as the Avani Avittam.


Krishna and Draupadi: An incident concerning Krishna and Draupadi from the epic Mahabharata is centred on this festival. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip off her silken sari and tied it around Krishna index finger to stop the flow of blood. Krishna was so touched that he promised to repay the debt and did so during the Vastra Haran of Draupadi. In the assembly of King Dhritarashtra when Yudhishthir lost her in gambling, Krishna indefinitely extended her saree, to save her pride.


The legend of Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna: Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Yama, the Lord of death and Yamuna his sister. Yamuna tied a rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved that he declared that whoever got a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection would become immortal.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Chapter 51: Epilogue, Boboji's Extraordinary Calibre


The Kalpataru, a Tree Which Grants all Our Desires

I pay obeisance to the Vaishnava luminaries who fulfill all our desires like the kalpataru (one of the fabulous trees of Krishna's paradise that grants all desires) and are an ocean of compassion who purify the sinful. 

Being able to speak about the grandeur of saints and devotees is not generally possible. Appraising them correctly by observing their lifestyle is virtually impossible. It is not necessary that saints of the same rank can fully understand each other's state and perception, but their distinguished character, unusual mode of life and unimaginable state is apparent by their charming mannerisms and scene for certain.


Lord Krishna's Attracts His Devotees

Their great departure (passing away) is a spirited antic of the Lord's Divine play and these saints are clearly perceptible even thereafter. Although there is no particular place in their life for miracles, God displays some such incidents which give us an insight into their persona. Our history is loaded with such events witnessed by devotees singing tales of their glories.


Revered Bobo

By now the readers would have had some estimate of revered Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji's amazing ability.I am going to describe one such unprecedented and powerful incident which is definitely tough to cite in this era.

Bobo's gaining entry into the eternal nikunja was seen by all well-wishers who were present at that point of time.The explicit movement of the eyes in this alert manner with the eyeballs turning completely towards Priya-Priyatam, is truly astonishing.

Well the very next day that is on 21st February,1992, revered Bobo was taken into the constant closeness of Shri Yamuna and this is precisely what she had ardently longed for.


Shri Radha-Krishna Beckon Bobo to a Nikunja on Yamuna Banks

Krishna, the Supreme Lover, and Radha His beloved were beckoning Bobo to the nikunja situated on the banks of the Yamuna whereas arrangements for living in their constant proximity had been attended to earlier...

Kamda Bahenji

While Bobo was being taken for union with the Divine,Shri Kamda Bahen a devout recipient of her grace,made an obeisance and prayed, “Bobo! Take me along too. Do take me along.”


River Yamuna in Vrindavan

And she also departed when Bobo was being taken to be consigned to the Yamuna's waters, as if she had come readily prepared in advance.


Shri Radha-Krishna in A Nikunja of  Vrindavan

Blessed is this unprecedented incident, remarkable spiritual leader,Bobo and her dependent disciple Kamda Bahen,yearning for the nectarean fruit of Vrindavan.


Spiritual Lighthouse Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji, Fondly Known as Bobo

Being a witness, history will continue repeating this incident.

Well-wishers may get tired of raving about its distinction, the pen may stop when pages after pages expound its glory but the grandeur of Bobo will be etched in golden letters forever. Becoming a spiritual lighthouse for  all of us, Usha Bahenji, fondly known as Bobo will  continue to show us the divine path for all times to come.

I bow a hundred times before such a famed, great, stalwart saint who was above all self-assured and dignified.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Chapter 50: Boboji Gains Entry Into The Eternal Nikunja - 6

The sweet forms of Priya-Priyatam came and stood in front, to take their inseparable and beloved sakhi along.


Supreme Lover Krishna Whispers the Mysteries of Love to Bobo


One doesn't know what message the Supreme Lover gave as He enraptured Bobo and laughed in joyous abandon. Stealthily Krishna whispered several tales of the mysteries of love, amorous frolics of His playful dalliance and spirited antics into her ears.


Holding the Hands of Shri Radha-Krishna

Steeped in the nectarean fruit of love and holding the hands of Radha-Krishna, Bobo went into the lovable Yugal's charming realm, in the presence of everyone. Becoming a spiritual lighthouse for sentimental people and showing the divine path to dedicated devotees.

Overwhelming several persons with affection, stringing them in a cord and bestowing perseverance ,Bobo, the icon of love, pampered Shyama-Shyam and soon became an ideal of loving seva.


Golok Dham, the Eternal Abode of Shri Radha-Krishna

The greatly fortunate Bobo considered earthly Braj and Vrindavan and eternal Goloka Dham where the god forever dwells, as manifestations of the same svarupa or Brahman.She conceived ordinary life here as parallel to the other comic life of Krishna. Bobo, the illustrious grandeur of Braj,composed padas laden with love flowing towards the Lord.

Honourable Bobo vanished from our mundane eyes but her divine perception, entry into the eternal lila and closeness is steeping and granting assurance to several dear ones even today.

The Seva of Shri Thakurji by Shri Sushila Bahenji


The Yugal Served By Bobo

Revered Bobo would remain so very busy in attending to the needs of her Yugal (Radha-Krishna).Her intimate sakhi and confidante Shri Sushilaji would conscientiously serve the sacred couple with the preparation as well as serving of bhoga being her responsibility.Soon after Bobo gained entry into the eternal nikunja,Sushila Bahenji took over the task of Thakurji's seva.


Revered Bobo and Sushila Bahenji

Bahenji was so meticulous that on seeing Shri Thakurji's shringar everyone raved that it seems as if revered Bobo had dressed up Thakurji with her own hands.

Appearing Before Dharam Bahenji


Dharam Bahenji

Dharam Bahenji was sitting in the same posture as she would often sit along with Bobo in this room.She could gather that Bobo had gained entry into the eternal nikunja. 

“Well Bobo! Now you would be sensitively sensing the handsome Krishna's presence everyday ” she asked impulsively.

 “Yes! And not just the perception, Shyama-Shyam forever stay by my side!” exclaimed Bobo.

Hearing this revelation Dharam Bahenji was very delighted and moved forward to embrace her but could not. 

 “Dharamji you won't be able to touch me because I have met you with my spiritual body. I have met you for real and it is not just a fleeting thought,” Bobo instantly explained.

Appearing Before Manohar Dasji


Shri Manohar Dasji

Some time had lapsed since Bobo had passed away.Being intensely close to her, Shri Manoharji would always remember her on his birth celebrations.This time round her absence hurt him. But guess what? On that very day he dreamed of her and rested his head on her lap.

“This meeting made such a deep impact on my heart that it seemed I have met her with greater intimacy than when I used to do so in the material world.I am greatly fortunate that she thought of me even up there,”overjoyed on waking up, he acknowledged,“

Showering Her Grace On Vijay


Vijay Bhaiya

Revered Bobo appeared languid in the last few days.We can not call this state a dream but saying that it was wakefulness would be a deception. Her maternal affection had changed Vijay's life because  he had been nourished by her loving fondness at a very young age. He told us that revered Bobo was lying down at a certain place with a sheet on her and he also lay down on her right due to his habit of slipping off. Clinging to her like a child, he rested his face on hers.

“ I am also coming to you,” soon after he told Bobo,

"Not yet since you are looking after the work,” she explained.

These sort of uncertainties would tug at his mind in those days. He got great strength on knowing that she had become the conjuncture in his writing a book and was inspiring him off and on.

A Feeling of Intense Closeness Towards Sushila Bahenji

The incident dates back to the month of December in 1993. Sushila Bahenji saw revered Bobo leaning against the wall close to the Yugal she served and ecstatically expressing a few beautifully enchanting words.

Madhury Adhishthatree Shri Radha

She could not recollect everything but terms like 'madhury adhishthatree', the supreme principle of sweetness,-'saundarya adhishthatree' , the controlling principle of beauty-'lavanya adhishthatree' , the supreme principle of charm were used to describe Kishoriji, Sushila Bahenji remembered vividly.

Sushila Bahenji came much nearer to Bobo for listening to her opinion.

 “Meditate upon the sweet ineffable beauty of Radha-Krishna,” is what Bobo had to say for her associates.

“Intuitively,”-”Intuitively”-intuitively," is what she repeated.

Instantly the scene changed and she was seen in the proximity of Thakurji. 

“You must be remembering the case of the shoe.*How concerned is He about me.”*

*The matter roughly dates to the year 1952. Bobo dragged a huge bedding from her room and spread it in the verandah outside for taking rest.It was evening and kind of dark.Somehow a shoe came under the spread and when she lay down it nestled under her head.She had seen Shri Thakurji taking out the same shoe by putting his hand under the bed spread. Bobo had narrated this experience at that point of time. Recollecting it now she endorsed how much care Thakurji took of her.

Grace on Nisha

 Arunachal Pradesh

Nisha was employed in ArunachalThe denizens of that region did not approve much of people from other states and villagers often created disturbances. As was her routine Nisha was sitting in front of her Thakurji and doing kirtan when she heard the sound of footsteps.Turning around to have a look she saw revered Bobo standing. She had not been able to utter a word when Bobo gestured that she should move from this state and must take Thakurji along. Nisha followed her close behind.Leaving her on the path which led to the house of a relative working there, Bobo vanished.

Nisha was dumbfounded and spent the night at the same relation's house.At dawn on the very next day they came to know that the tribals had devastated Nisha's house as a mark of their retaliation.

She was overjoyed that Bobo had urged her to move to a safe place, well in time.Several such incidents regarding Bobo are famed.

Bobo Appeared Before Dharam Bahenji Once Again

Revered Bobo had an intense feeling of intimacy for Dharam Bahenji.

Thakur! Tussi dasso, main paath karaan ki jap, keertan karaan ki satsang vich jaavaan?*once it so happened that Dharam Bahenji kept asking her Shri Thakur in Punjabi,

**“Jo taainu changaa lagdaai,”instinctively she heard Thakurji's sound in Punjabi.

Hearing Shri Thakurji's answer in her own language Dharamji was astonished. Instantly she heard a familiar sound of someone laughing joyously.Turning around she saw it was Bobo.

“How loving and liberal is the Lord,”smiling, Bobo teased her as she had done  earlier.

*“On Thakur! You must guide me whether I should do paath or japa, do kirtan or go for satsang.”

** “Whatever you like.”

Another Perception By Santosh Bahenji

Santosh Bahenji

Santosh Bahenji had repeatedly heard a lot about revered Bobo and was eager to know more about her. Reading a particular shloka everyday, she would lie down.But she did not have any sort of perception for ten days at a stretch.

Santosh Bahenji Saw Bobo Taking Part in the Raas

Later she saw at night revered Bobo, in her divine form, taking part in the Raas, the round-dance of Krishna with the herdgirls of Braj. Krishna, the Supreme Lover and His beloved Radha were resplendent in the centre. Bahenji could recognise Bobo even though she was present in her celestial form.


Revered Bobo

Making us distinctly experience several such perceptions and messages through the medium of dreams, Bobo gave her candid opinion on several blazing topics.

Once Shrish Bhai Saheb was upset by some complication when he heard Bobo's voice, “Go to Vrindavan.”He did the same and everything was solved.

Bobo had given an indication of her final departure and union with the Divine to Shantanu Rana beforehand.


Uma Bahenji Saw Bobo's Divine Form In Barsana


When Uma Bahenji went to Barsana for Holi and was praying to Shriji, “Make us all join in your festival,” she saw revered Bobo standing right there in her Divine form.She was sprinkling gulal and indicating by her gaze that we must celebrate the festival with enthused exultation.

Once Rajesh Bhai was facing a tough time regarding his job and was very worried. He reflected that if Bobo had been there he could resolve the problem and slept with this thought. 

He dreamed that Bobo was assuring him, “Do not worry. Everything will work out fine. If you ever face any difficulty go to Sootji (Sushila Bahenji) in Vrindavan.” 

The next day when he went to office everything was decided in his favour. Heading straight to Vrindavan from there, he narrated the incident.

Assuring her dear ones at every step, meeting them in person and showing them the divine path, everyone can constantly sense and experience revered Bobo's sensitive perception along with her closeness. From time to time all of us continue to get her support as earlier in an imperceptible as well as perceptible manner.