Spiritual Calendar, June 2012

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 Bihariji is decked with leaves and flowers of summer. The leaves of Vatvriksha (Banyan) are strung as garlands and ornaments for Bihariji. Phool Bangl means a house of flowers which is erected daily in the evening to seat Sri Banke Bihariji, Sri Radhavallabhji, Sri Radharamanji and the deities of other temples in  Vrindavan. Devotees long to see this ethereal sight in the scorching summer.  

 Our Yugal Sarkar

Our Yugal-Sarkar of poojya Boboji-Bahinji at Gaura-colony enjoy the jal vihar, almost daily:

Nauka Vihari with Sri Radha on the Yamuna

sri yamuna pulin vihari, nauka vihari

sheetal kunj vihari, yugal sarkar

bhagwan sri radha-krishna ki sada jai ho!

The Calendar of June 2012 falls between 31st May, 2012 , Ganga Dussehra and 3rd July, 2012,  Guru Poornima.

1st June, 2012: Nirjala Ekadashi

Lord Vishnu

is on a Friday and 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.

We ought to donate liberally pure drinking water, pots, watermelons, fans , water-coolers , sharbat , cool and sweet milk to the needy & deserving in this scorching heat. We should have piyoos installed and wells bored for pure drinking water in crowded places and villages. Serving potable water to people and that too in the scorching heat is truly a meritorious act.

2nd June, Sri Shiva Pradohsham Fast

Shiva Pradosh

Pradosh means the dusk of an early night or evening tide. This fast is observed in the evening twilight, and is called Pradosh Vrat. The fast is observed on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight. It is to propitiate Lord Shiva, in order to obtain his blessings and for spiritual evolvement.Those who practice it with implicit faith are bound to possess wealth, health, happiness.

3rd Jun,2012: Purnima Vrata is on a Sunday

The Satyanarayan Vratam

The Satyanarayan svami vratam is a fast dedicated to Lord Satyanarayan swami (lord Vishnu.) It is usually observed on shukla paksha ekadashi a day earlier to purnima in the Hindu calendar.

4th June, 2012: Jyeshta Purnima

The Snan Yatra

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

Chanting the mahamantra is greater than having the darshan of piligrimage sites which reflect the glorious might of Lord Hari, saints, satsang, bathing in the Ganges and other meritorious acts:

mridu mangalmay sant samaju,

jimi jaga jangam teerthraju!
(Baalkand, Goswami Tulsidasji's Ramayan)

7th June,2012: Sri Ganesh Chaturthi Fast is on a Thursday

 

Lord Ganesha

Ganesha, the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon is beheld as the most auspicious God of new beginnings and widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Devotees of Lord Ganesha, who intend to observe a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi, wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After wearing laundered clothes, they head towards the nearest temple or perform a small puja at their home, to offer prayers to the deity.

When people are on a fast on the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, they may opt for either the nirjal vrat (a stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). Generally the devotees who are fasting are allowed to have sweets including til ke ladoo , gajak and rewari along with tea and coffee. In order to concentrate, the devotees chant mantras invoking Lord Ganesha and sing bhajans in his praise. It is believed that if one observes a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi with sincerity, one is blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.

10th June,2012: The monthly Sri Hari Kirtan

Lord Krishna

is at Vipan-Meenuji's home, Patparganj. Chapter VI of the 'Bhagavad Gita' will be  read & explained by ISKCON's divind Sri Dhananjay Prabhuji from 4.15 pm onwards. Thereafter there will be kirtan till 7 pm. Keeping the sweltering heat in mind we have kept the dress code as light blue or white.

15th June,2012: Yogini Ekadashi

 

Lord Vishnu

It occurs during the waning phase of the moon in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June – July) as per the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. The importance of this Ekadasi was explained to Yudhisthira by Lord Krishna. Fasting on this Ekadashi helps us overcome the remorse caused by committing sins and  get ‘moksha.’

The significance of Yogini Ekadasi is mentioned in Brahma Vaivarta Purana. The Purana narrates the tale of a gardener named Hemamali who overcame a curse, which made him a leper, by observing a fast on Yogini Ekadasi. The gardener was instructed by sage Markandeya about the Ekadashi.

All the usual rules associated with Ekadasi fasting are observed on the day. The fast begins with the sunrise on Ekadasi day and ends with sunrise on the next day.

16th June, 2012: Lord Shiva's Pradosh Fast

 

Lord Shiva

Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept for propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings one's desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment. Generally people observe the Pradosha Vrata on every trayodashi tithi (13th lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) in the evening. Please offer plain water and bel patra to Lord Shiva. The bel patra or leaf of the wood-apple tree represents the three eyes of lord Shiva and the three gunas.

 

19th  June,2012: Amavasya

Worshipping Forefathers on Amavasya

There is a natural surge of energies in the human body on these specific days. As a result Amavasya or new moon day and purnima or full moon days hold a special significance for spiritual seekers. The amavasya vibrations are conducive to men just as the purnima vibrations are conducive to women. Any sadhana or religious observances performed during this time has a greater impact on the human system.

The new moon day of every month is considered auspicious for the worship of forefathers and poojas are done. No travel should be scheduled on the first day of the new moon, as travel without moonlight in the ancient times was forbidden.

21st June, 2012: Sri Jagannathji's Rath Yatra

Lord Jagannath, Subhadra & Balbhadra

Jagannath is a Hindu God worshipped primarily by the people of Orissa and Bengal. Jagannath is generally considered an aspect of Lord Vishnu or his avatara Krishna. He is worshipped as part of a triad along with Krishna's brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra.

The most famous festival related to Jagannath is the Ratha Yatra, where the three deities are transported in three massive wooden chariots pulled by devotees from Puri to Gundicha Temple, about 3 kms away. Similar Ratha yatra processions are organized all around the world.

Most of saw the celestial Bhagwan Sri Jagananthji Rath Yatra last year in 2011 at the NCR residence of Bhartiji and Vikasji. The same is being planned at Vrindavan this year on, 21st June, 2012, a Thursday. It will start from Raas Mandal and go to Goda Vihar.  All are cordially invited and if convenient wear blue or white as the dress code.

23rd June  , SAT  : Sri Ganesh Chaturthi

 

Lord Ganesha

Ganesha, the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon is beheld as the most auspicious God of new beginnings and widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Devotees of Lord Ganesha, who intend to observe a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi, wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After wearing laundered clothes, they head towards the nearest temple or perform a small puja at their home, to offer prayers to the deity.

When people fast on Ganesh Chaturthi, they either opt for the nirjal vrat (a stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). Devotees are allowed to have sweets including til ke ladoo , gajak and rewari along with tea and coffee. In order to concentrate, the devotees chant mantras invoking Lord Ganesha and sing bhajans in his praise. It is believed that if one observes a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi with sincerity, he is blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.

25th June,2012: Skanda Shashti Vrata

Lord Kartikeya

Kartikeya is a Hindu god who is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Accordingly, he is the brother of their son, Ganesha. A Hindu god, he is also known as Skanda or Murugan.The Shasti falling during the waxing phase of the moon is celebrated as the Skanda Sashti. Skanda Shashti is dedicated to Lord Skanda, the younger son of Lord Shiva. Devotees perform fast and chant Skanda Sashti kavacham on this day.

30th June, 2012: Devshayani Ekadasi

Lord Vishnu Resting in the Kshir Sagar

Is on a Monday (Devotthan Ekadasi will come about 5 months later on 24th November, a Saturday. Sanyasis call it the Chaturmaas and stay at one place for these 4 months.) It is one of the most important Ekadasis. As per the Puranas, Lord Vishnu is said to take rest in Kshir Saagar or the Ocean of Milk on this day and steps out after four months, on the 11th day of the first bright half of Kartik( the eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar.) It is believed that Hindu gods and goddesses are resting during this period.

PS: All dates give above are as per the Sri Banke Biharji Panchang 2012-13 and the Gita diary published  by  http://www.gitapress.org/