Spiritual Calendar: June, 2013

Shri Banke Bihari ji in a Phool Bangla

The Phool Bangla Utsav in Vrindavan starts from Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi up to Haryali Amavasya (Shravan Amavasya). During this festival of flowers, Shri Banke Bihari ji is decked with leaves and flowers of summer. The leaves of Vatvriksha (Banyan) are strung as garlands and ornaments for Bihari ji. Phool Bangla means a house of flowers which is erected daily in the evening to seat Sri Banke Bihari ji, Sri Radhavallabh ji, Sri Radharaman ji and deities of other temples in  Vrindavan. Devotees long to see this ethereal sight in the scorching summer. 

4^th June, 2013: Achala Ekadashi Vrat

Lord Vishnu

Achla Ekadashi falls in the month of Jayestha (May-June) and is also known as 'Jayestha Krishna Ekadashi'. Achla Ekadashi is the giver of good deeds, destroyer of sins and one who observes the vrata with a full fast on this day attains great esteem in this world.

5th June 2013: Pradosh Vrata

Lord Shiva

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.

8^th June, 2013: Vat Savitri Vrat Pujan

The Legend of Savitri & Satyavant

 

Associated with Sati Savitri and Satyavant, the legend reveals how Satyavant got rid of death and regained his kingdom with the dedicated devotion of his wife Savitri. The Puranas propagate that the story of Savitri is an inspiration for every married woman.

 

Women Worshipping the Vat (Bargad) Tree

The Vat Savitri Vrat falls on the full moon day of the month of Jyeshtha, around May-June. Married Women observe Vat Savitri Vrat with the intention of preserving their husbands good fortune.On this day, women fast and worship the Vat (Bargad) tree to pray for the growth and strength of their husdand and families.All Hindu women observe this festival worshiping and propitiating Savitri as a Devi. On this day, early morning the women take  bath and wear new clothes, new bangles and apply vermilion on the fore-head and the hair-parting line. Then Ma Savitri is worshipped.

8^th June, 2013: Shani Amavasya

Lord Saturn

It is believed that worshipping Lord Saturn on the day of Shani Amavasya helps in fulfilling one's desires. It is considered to be an auspicious day to get relief from the obstacles caused due to kalsarpa yoga, dhaiyaa and sadesati.

11^th June, 2013: Ramba Tritiya

Goddess Parvati & Lord Shiva

Ramba Tritiya is dedicated to Sati Savitri Mata. The vrata is performed on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in Jyeshta month. Savitri Puja is the main ritual to observed on this day, The legend of this fast is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Goddess Parvati kept this fast to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Married women perform this vrata under the banana tree to get its fullest merits.

Women worship a pair of bangles which respresent apsara Rambha and goddess Lakshmi.

12^th June, 2013: Vinayak Chaturhi Vrata

Lord Ganesha

Each lunar month in Hindu calendar has two Chaturthi Tithis. Which belong to Lord Ganesha according to Hindu scriptures. The Chaturthi after Amavasya or new moon and during Shukla Paksha is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and the one after Purnimasi or full moon and during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi.

The most significant Vinayaka Chaturthi falls in the month of Bhadrapada and is known as Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus all over the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.

15^th June, 2013: Mithun Sankranti

 

Mithun Sankranti

Sankranti means transition.When the sun transits from one rashi (zodiac sign) to Gemini that day is known as Mithun sankranti.Since the sun passes through twelve rashis there is one sankranti every month

.

Mithuna Sankranti marks the beginning of the third solar month in the Hindu calendar. All twelve Sankranti(s) in the year are highly auspicious for Dan-Punya activities. During Mithuna Sankranti gifting or donating clothes is considered highly auspicious.

18^th June, 2013: Ganga Dussehra

 The Birth of the Ganga

During this festival ten days of the month are devoted to the worship of Holy River Ganga venerated by the Hindus as a mother and a goddess.

Places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garh-Mukteswar, Prayag, Varanasi and others where the Ganga flows, hold a special significance on this day. Devotees flock to these places & Varanasi with its many ghats situated on the west bank of the Ganga, to touch the river water, bathe in it and take the river clay home to venerate.

In Haridwar, 'aartis' are performed at twilight and a large number of devotees meditate on the riverbanks.The river Ganga rises at Gangotri, high in the snow-clad Himalayas. Cascading down mighty boulders, it flows into the hot plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and finally merges with the sea in the Bay of Bengal.

 Bhagirath Prays for the Ganga to Descend on Earth

Regarded as a celestial river originating in the heavens, Ganga was gifted to mankind in answer to the great sadhana undertaken by Bhagirath, after whom she is also called Bhagirathi. Bhagirath, a descendant of the Sagara dynasty, prayed for the Ganga to descend onto the parched earth and bring life. But the torrential waters of the Ganga were a mighty and destructive force. Brahma and Vishnu asked Shiva to accept the Ganga into his matted locks. Confined in Shiva's hair, Ganga lost the wild force of her flow and became a placid, life-giving river.

Despite its pollution, the Ganga is a symbol of purity. Its water bestows salvation to the dying and new life to the living. Unusual images of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balaram and sister Subhadra are ceremonially pulled in the grand chariots at Puri.

19^th June, 2013: Nirjala Ekadashi Vrata

 Lord Vishnu 

This Ekadashi falls in the month of Jyestha, during the Shukla paksha (June). Amongst the 24 Ekadashi's , the vrata on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi is considered most beneficial and said to give the fruits of 24 Ekadashis observed throughout the year. A complete fast is kept on this day with not a drop of water to drink. People worship Lord Vishnu to ensure happiness and prosperity, and forgiveness of transgressions and sins. On the preceding day that is on the 10th lunar day, Sandhya (evening prayer) is performed and only one meal is taken.

21^st June, 2013: Pradosh Vrata

Lord Shiva

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.

23rd June, 2013: Shri Satyanarayan Vrata

 Lord Satyanarayan

The Satyanarayan svami vratam is a fast dedicated to Lord Satyanarayan swami (lord Vishnu.)

23^rd June, 2013: Jyeshta Purnima

The Snan Yatra

It is the full moon day in the month of Jyeshta and marks the end of the Jyeshta month in north Indian lunar calendars.It is celebrated as Jagannath Purnima, Snan purnima and Devasnana purnima in Orissa esp at the Jagannath Puri temple.

Many years ago, king Indradyumna started the ceremony of bathing(snana-yatra)Lord Jagannath with 108 pots of sandal-scented well water. At that time, Lord Jagannath told the King that for fifteen days after the snana-yatra, no one should see the Deities. Snana-Yatra occurs on Jyestha Purnima(June Full Moon), one of the hottest days of the year. The Skanda Purana says that Lord Krishna manifested in His Daru Bramha form as Jagannath Swami on this day. Therefore, Jyestha Purnima is the appearance day of Lord Jagannath.

Chant the Mahamantra to nullify any negative effect of the full moon :--

hare ram hare ram ram ram hare hare

hare hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare

26^th June: Sankashti Chaturthi

 Lord Ganesha

Chaturthi is celebrated on 4th day from full moon day. Devotees fast on this day.

The Chaturthi after Purnimasi or full moon and during Krishna Paksha is known as Sankashti Chaturthi.

Devotees of Lord Ganesha observe the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat. It is believed that by doing so one is freed from all his difficulties also known as Sankat.

'Shri Krishna Karnamrita:' Forty-third Shloka

abhyam vilocanabhyam-
amburuha-vilocanam balam  |
dvabhyam api parirabdhum-
dure mama hanta daiva-samagri  ||43||

 Simple Meaning:

Lotus-eyed Lord  Krishna

The divine good fortune which is needed to embrace that lotus eyed young boy (Madan Mohan) with these two eyes of mine, is miles away from me. In other words where do I have that destiny that I can catch a glimpse of Him.

The Rasa-laden Commentary:

Shri Bilavmangal ji Longs to Embrace Krishna

Living in the external world Shri Bilavmangal ji is expressing a desire to embrace Lord Krishna with his eyes. Due to excessive despair he thinks that to attain that embrace though this body of his is extremely difficult to accomplish.

Before this Shri Bilavmangal ji had embraced Lord Krishna with his eyes: 'amburuh vilochanam balam' or tender as the lotus, 'irshat arun' whose eyes are lotuses, embracing that very Lord with my eyes, is such good fortune.


Govind Prabhu says in some pada:

alak sanvaran ke mis bhamini, pherat piya tan nain niharee  |
'govind prabhu' ko mukhdekhi, sukhbhayo tan, drishti son bharat ankvari  ||

Capricious Krishna Appeases His Beloved Shri Radha

Supreme lover Krishna, the loving culprit is standing at the entrance of the nikunja, and is charming His offended beloved Shri Radha. Sulking Shri Radha is not very haughty today. She was hesitant to leave her haughtiness easily, what should she do now? Is the Beloved of the shrewd Shiromani less clever? She is wanting to give a loving assurance to Krishna, the Supreme Lover-so on pretext of arranging her lock of hair she moves her lotus hand on her head-adulating the Ssupreme Lover by a side glance. At that very moment it seems as if she is filling Her lap with the Surpeme Lover, through her eyes, She gives Him rest. How the affectionate round face of the Supreme Lover would have bloomed with that glance-both of them would only know.

 

Assuming the Form of a Sakhi, Bilavmangal ji is No Less Clever

He is saying, “ I can not look at dark-hued Krishna with my two eyes but let me intently gaze at him with an ogling glance!, at least. Shri Thakurji is right in front but I am not being able to check the greed of finding Him extremely close to me. An ardent desire for more and more is being kindled. Unbearable yearning is making me uneasy. I am not satisfied by just the joy of seeing Him, in fact every fiber of my being, every limb, all my senses are restless to fill Him in themselves.An unbearablly painful burning wave is running through my mind and heart.

The Intoxicating Glance of Dark-hued Krishna

Lord Krishna is an extraordinary child, who is pouring forth such intoxicating glances from His lotus eyes. What sort of an exhilirating elixir is it which is circulating a cool life in my mind and heart. A uniquely soft intoxicating wave of attraction is drawing my body, every limb of mine and all my sense to it. In which way should I calm my enflamed heart, aroused by passion?  My good fortune is very far away from me. Whom should I tell my sorrow? Who will listen to it?

A Sakhi Yearning for Lord Krishna

Actually speaking, the more love one has for capricious Krishna, the more dissatisfied and restless one is In this realm of love flowing towards the Lord. Satisfaction and patience keep standing and entreating for the boon of love. This is the realm of restlessness, and the treasure trove of not being satisfied. Dissatisfaction,  anxious eagerness, and agitation are the ornamentations of this place. A passionate heart loving God can only know of this burning pain and understand it:

'bhagwat-rasik' rasik ki baatein ,
rasik bina kou samujhi sakain na  ||

'Shri Krishna Karnamrita:' Forty-second Shloka

kim iha krinumah kasya brumah kritam kritam ashaya
kathayata katham anyam dhanyam aho hridaye shayah :  |
madhura-madhura-smerakare mano-nayanotsave ,
kripana-kripana krishne trishna ciram bata lambaten  ||42|| 

Simple Meaning:

A Sakhi Thirsting to See Lord Krishna

Alas, what shall I do? To whom shall I speak? Hoping to attain Lord Krishna is pointless. Leaving the story of Lord Krishna, please talk of something else (which is auspicious.)Alas,  Krishna is residing in my heart. How can I possibly talk of anyone else apart from Him ? The One whose form is endowed with a sweet- sweet smile, and Who imparts delight to my mind and eyes (is a festivity.) Alas, tormented by desire, my thirst for that same Lord Krishna is increasing every moment.

The Rasa-laden Commentary:

Gopis Searching for Lord Krishna

Shri Bilavmangal Maharaj's very life is restless for the Supreme Lover who dwells in his heart. A few shlokas before this one, expressed the lamenting of his heart. 'Alas! All the days are passing in vain. What shall I do? Where shall I go?'

Bilavmangal ji Pines for Lord Krishna

In this shloka seeing that his creeper of hope, which Bilavmangal ji had reared for a long time is not flourishing, he becomes impatient. And laments. “ Alas! What shall  I do? Whom shall I tell about what my heart ?” Disappointed and dejected from all sides, he is quiet. “How many times I have humbly entreated, called out for Him, wept and pined for Him, but even then that Ruler of my heart has not enquired about me yet. Oh, hope...now what sort of hope and hope for what?...

The Dissembler Lord Krishna

“My head is reeling, I can not, I can not think of anything. Now for what reason is this hope plaguing me? No,no I do not want to speak of Lord Krishna. Do not talk about that dissembler to me...Do not narrate His passionate episodes to me. Oh! A sort of passionate fire inflames my heart and soul by that cool talk.Let it be...let it be...stop talking of that tale which is so dear to our ears.

Bilavmangal ji Maharaj is Passionately Drawn by Dark-hued Krishna

“Is there no other beautiful tale worth telling. Alas! Alas! Why is my mind passionately drawn there, again and again? Someone kindly help me and pull this mind of mine from there. No...I am not going to again listen to that intoxicating tale which arouses passion. But, Alas! What should I do? Where am I free? I am tied in someone's love noose. My ardent longing for Krishna...reared for several ages has been stifled today. It has not been satisfied but even then there is no freedom from the clutches of hope.

Yearning for a Glimpse of Krishna

“Why is this hope clinging and swaying along with me. Oh! What should poor  hope do?The frivolous Krishna residing in my heart does not let one be at peace, in any way. Neither does He meet nor does He let one abandon the hope of meeting Him.

The Moonlike Smiling Face of Krishna

“That moonlike face of His beaming with a sweet-sweet smile...O Wealth of my heart who delights my mind and eyes like a festivity and attracts my heart! He does not let my hope become baseless. Whenever I think of uprooting the creeper of hope, that sweet extremely sweet blue-hued smiling moonlike Face makes my mind and eyes drink the nectar of his Face, and vanishes. I am left writhing as I yearn for Him. Oh ! One does not know where that Trickster hides before I am satisfied? Oh feeble desire! Even then you are still alive.

 

Attaining the Supreme Lover

“Uptil now I nurture an ardent longing to meet the Supreme Lover and am living. Oh! Why are you plaguing me now ? In my destiny...?Oh...what...should I do now, where should I go? Whom should I tell? Alas! Alas! I am caught in the hide and seek of attaining and not attaining Lord Krishna, the fulfillment and unfulfillment of my desires...

'Shri Krishna Karnamrita:' Forty-first Shloka

amuny adhanyani dinantarani ,
hare tvad-alokanam antarena  |
anartha-bandho karunaika-sindho  !
ha hanta ha hanta katham nayami  |

Simple Meaning:

Lord Krishna, the Friend of Destitutes

O Friend of destitutes! O only Ocean of mercy! O my Lord! Alas! Alas! You only tell me how  to pass these ill-fated moments and worthless days and nights without seeing you?

The Rasa-Laden Commentary:

 

Lord Krishna, the Ocean of Mercy

O Friend of the helpless! I am an orphan and You are my only Friend. O Ocean of mercy! You are the unfathomable Ocean of mercy.O Hari¹! Alleviator of sorrow,  Reliever of pain. Without a glimpse of You how shall I pass these worthless days.

 The Flute Play of Lord Krishna

In the previous shloka Shri Bilavmangal ji was hearing Lord Krishna's flute play and tinkling anklets, and he assumed that the Lord was coming close to him. Not seeing dark-hued Krishna near him, he is extremely distressed. Eagerly desirous to catch a glimpse of Him, he is in a very dejected state. Not tolerating the delay, he ardently longs to meet Lord Krishna.

Dark-hued Krishna Resides in the Hearts of His Devotees

He says, “O Hare²! It is Your very nature to alleviate the pain of those who seek shelter in You. How should I pass my time without seeing You. Without which even a moment seems like a yuga or age. Those rasikas³ are truly fortunate in whose hearts You dally forever and whom Your lotus feet always ornament. I pray to these supremely tender feet that they forever sport in this empty heart and make this life fruitful.

Shri Bilavmangal ji's Sole Refuge, Lord Krishna

You are the sole refuge of destitutes like us! O Ocean of mercy! Kindly manifest in front of my eyes and cool these anguished eyes. Alas! Whom should I tell about the ache in my heart.? Who is my well-wisher who will carefully listen to what I have to say? Who is there to recognize the wound of my heart? And who will  believe the agony which is afflicting my heart.

 

Surrounded by Sakhis is Lord Krishna

Sakhi ! mere man ki ko jane !

kasan kahun jo chit dai, hit ki baat bakhanai ||

aeso ko hai antaryami, turat peer pahichane |

'narayan' jo beet rahi hai, kab koi sach mane ||

(Narayan Das)

O Supreme Lover! Have some mercy on my plight. How much longer do I have to wait?

1.Hari: Lord Krishna 

2. Hare: Lord Krishna 

3. Rasika: a person moved by passionate religious devotion esp. for Krishna