Spiritual Calendar: May 2013

5th, May 2013: Sri Vallabhacharya Jayanti

 Shri Vallabhacharya

Shri Vallabhacharya is one of the five main Acharyas of the Hindu Religion. (The other four being Shankaracharya, Shri Ramanujacharya, Shri Madhavacharya and Shri Nimbarkacharya.) He propagated the philosophy of Shudhadvaita and founded the Pushtimarg, a sect of the Hindi religion around 1500 AD.

Lord Krishna appeared as Shri Nathji in front of him and ordered him to propagate the pushti kind of devotion among the chosen ones and bring them back in their original state to Golok-dham.Shri Nathji assured him that with brahamasambandha, (relationship with God) whichever soul gains entry into the Pushti Marg, its impurities will refrain from obstructing the soul's relation with the Divine and the soul will be eligible to pursue His bhakti.

5^th, May 2013: Shri Varuthini Ekadashi Vrata

Lord Krishna Talks of Varuthini Ekadashi to Yudhistira

Varuthini Ekadashi Is observed on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha or waning phase of the moon in Chaitra/Vaisakha month. It is believed that observing Varuthini Ekadasi makes a person fortunate, prosperous, expiates his sins and helps in attaining moksha. The greatness of fasting on this Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira (the eldest of the Pandavas) by Lord Krishna and is mentioned in the Bhavishyottara Purana.

7^Th May, 2013: Bhauma Pradosh Vrata

Pradosham

When Pradosham falls on a Tuesday it is known as Bhauma Pradosha.The puja is observed in the evening on Trayodashi or 13th day in Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha of the Hindu month to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. It is auspicious to perform Shukra Graha Dosha Nivarana Puja on this day.

9^th May, 2013: Shri Shukdev Muni Jayanti

Sri Sukhdev ji Narrating the Shrimad Bhagwad to Raja Parikshit

When Sri Sukhdev ji's yagnopavith had not been done, nor had the time for other worldly responsibilities come, he decided to take sanyas.

Once during the Srimad Bhagvad Katha, Muni Shonak ji said: Soot ji, you remove ignorance. How do Vaisnavas get rid of maya and worldly desires and what will help us attain Sri Krishna.

Soot ji said: Shonak ji, In this Kaliyug Sri Sukhdev ji has preached the Srimad Bhagvad katha to get rid of this yuga's torments.Nothing is better than this narrative for the purification of mind. When a human's good deeds from previous births accumulate, one gets to know this scripture.

9^th May,2013: Amavasya

Devotees Bathe in the Ganges

Many devotees bathe in the holy Yamuna, Ganges and other rivers. Several devotees throng to Sri Banke Bihari Temple as Akshay Teej is round the corner.

12^th May, 2013: Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti

Bhagwan Parashurama

Parashurama is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and belongs to the Treta yuga. He is the son of Jamadagni, a Brahmin and Renuka, a Kshatriya . He received an axe after doing austere penance to please Shiva, from whom he learnt warfare and other skills. Fighting back the advancing seas, he thus saved the lands of Konkan and Malabar. Parashurama is said to be the first warrior saint. A temple of Parashurama is situated at Akhnoor, 18 km away from Jammu. Every year, in May, a grand fete in the form of a parade, with hundreds of tableaux, throngs through the main city of Jammu to celebrated Parshuram Jayanti.

13^th May, 2013: Akshay Teej

Thakur Banke Bihari ji in Vrindavan

The only occasion when Lord Bankey Bihariji gives His charan-darshan and millions of people throng the temple.It is the sole occasion when Lord Bankey Bihariji gives His charan-darshan once in a year, with millions of people thronging the temple.

13th May, 2013: The Appearance day of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Tera May  (I am yours ) or 13th May. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people the world over through service projects and courses. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the head of the Art of Living Foundation which conducts workshops of varying durations for all age groups.

14^th May, 2013: Jayanti of Shri Manohar Baba

Baba Manohar Das ji

Revered Baba Manohar Das ji had truly religious qualities like knowledge (understanding the identity of the self with the ultimate Brahman),asceticism and discernment. He renounced the world like vomit and sought the refuge of Shri Maharaj ji, a truly virtuous guru.

By Shri Maharaj ji's grace, Baba crossed over the toughest of spiritual stages and was resolute in his perennial quest for union with the divine.

In His honour, monthly kirtan is being done for the past so many years in Gurgaon. Everyone is requested to attend the group singing of devotional songs for Sri Hari.

14th May, 2013: Sri Vinayak Chaturthi Fast

The Fast of Vighanharta, Lord Ganesha

The fast is kept to please Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is called the Vighanharta and a puja begins with worship of Lord Ganesha.

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

14^th May, 2013: Vrish Sankranti

Vrish Sankranti

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


15^th May, 2013: Shri Shankracharya Jayanti

Sri Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. His teachings are based on the unity of the Atman and Brahman—non-dual Brahman, in which Brahman is viewed as without attributes.

Shri Radha Krishna Kripakataksha Stotra is the most renowned hymn of praise written by Adi Shankracharya ji. He revived the Sanatan Dharma as ritualistic frauds were misguiding innocent people. Shankaracharya ji is known to have written some of the most beautiful commentaries on 'Bhagavad Gita', 'Srimad Bhagawatam' and many stotras praising Lord Krishna and goddess Yamuna.

15^th May, 2013: Shri Surdas Jayanti

 

 

Sri Surdas & Thakur Nath ji

He wrote about the most beautiful childhood lilas or playfull dalliances of Lord Krishna. Sri Surdas is one of the astachhap kavis of the Pushti Marg Sampradaya.

The bhajan sites of Surdas are Sur Kuti and Sur Samadhi which lie within the periphery of Vallabhacharyaji's Baithak.

Shri Nathji being a svarupa or living presence of Lord Krishna was clearly perceptible for the poet. The padas (devotional hymns) sung in praise of Nathji are compiled in the text 'Sur Sagar'. Through his poetic creations, Surdasji enhanced the beauty of worship, giving bhakti a new more intimate direction. Remaining a Krishna devotee, he did not lose sight of the Lord's romantic nuances and was therefore able to bring both religious and aesthetic truths to his compositions.

16th, May 2013: Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanti

Sri Ramanujacharya

He is one of the 4 main Acharyas known as Ramanujacharya. Seen by Vaishnavas as the third and most important teacher of their tradition (after Nathamuni and Yamunacharya). Ramanujacharya is regarded by Hindus  as the leading expounder of Vishishtadvaita.

His philosophy combines advaita (oneness of God) with Vishesha (attributes). In Ramanuja’s system of philosophy, the Lord (Narayana) has two inseparable prakaras or modes, the world and the souls. These are related to Him as the body is related to the soul and have no existence apart from Him. Matter and souls constitute the body of the Lord whereas He is their in dweller and controlling Reality.They are termed Viseshanas or attributes while God is the Viseshya or that which is qualified.

17^th May, 2013: Ma Ganga Saptami

Ma Gange

Vaishakh Shukla Saptami is known as Ganga Saptami. People come to take a holy dip in the Ganges and relieve themselves from their sins and agony. Mother Ganga cleanses them and absolves their sins. The river covers a distance of 1500 miles and keeps the adjoining areas green and fertile. Ganga Saptami is celebrated to make people know her significance on the spiritual plane.

19^th May, 2013: Sri Sitanaumi

Ma Sita is the Shakti of Prabhu Rama

The day is observed as the birth of Sri Sita or Janaki Devi, the wife of Lord Ram. Sri Sita is considered an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi just as Lord Ram is Lord Vishnu Incarnate.

In the Ramayana, Sri Sita Devi is best remembered for her penance to find a perfect marriage partner. It was her father, King Janak's condition that whoever could lift the divine bow and arrow gifted by Lord Shiva would marry his daughter. And as per destiny, Sita ji's choice was made after years of austere penance to Devi Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.

Sri Sita Naumi is not celebrated with as much fanfare as Sri Ram Naumi is in the month of Chaitra. However without Sita, worshipping Lord Ram's would be incomplete because she is Shri Ram's divine feminine energy or shakti.Sri Sita Devi is also remembered in the Ramayana as setting a role model for Hindu society, particularly in her devotion to Lord Ram during the 14-year exile.

King Janaka Unearths Baby Sita who is Born of the Earth Goddess

Sri Sita was born as Janaki or daughter of King Janak but later renamed as Sri Sita Devi by Maharishi Naradh Muni.She was actually given to King Janak by the Earth Goddess or Bhuma Devi whilst he was ploughing a piece of land during a prolonged period of drought in the Treta Yuga He unearthed a golden casket in which he found a beautiful baby girl. Overjoyed, he named her Sita because land ploughed by a yoke is called sita.

21^st May, 2013: Shri Mohini Ekadashi Vrata

Lord Vishnu Incarnates as Mohini

The day Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mohini to take away nectar from the demons. Mohini is the name of the only female avatara of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. She is portrayed as an an enchantress, sometimes leading lovers to their doom. Mohini is introduced in the narrative epic of the Mahabharata. Here, she appears as a form of Vishnu, acquires the pot of Amrita (an elixir of immortality) from thieving asuras (demons), and gives it back to the Devas (demi-gods), thus helping them retain their immortality.

21^st May, 2013: Sri Hitharivanshji Jayanti

Sri Hitharivansh ji Prabhu

 He established the Sri Radhavallabh Temple and Sect in Vrindavan. After Sri Banke Bihari Temple the temple of Thakur Sri Radhavallabh in Vrindavan is the next in fame. Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu, being an incarnation of the Holy Flute (Vanshi Avatar) relished the spiritual nectar while intimately serving the lotus feet of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna, as a close acquaintance of the sacred couple in their sweet love. The conception of Sri Radha is completely misconceived by most people, and Sri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu had shown the path. He adored Radha first and Krishna after her.

Let us humbly bow at the holy feet of Mahaprabhu Hit Harivanshji and chant

 Thakur Shri Radha Vallabha ji

govind gopinath gopijan vallabh |

dehi pad pallav, jai radha vallabh ||

Which means Thakurji or Lord of Hit Harivansh ji, bless us with thy grace, divine Love and holy feet.

22^nd May,2013: Lord Shiva's Pradosh Fast

Lord Shiva

Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept for propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings all 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. The bel patra or leaf of the wood-apple tree represents the three eyes of lord Shiva and the three gunas.

23^rd May, 2013: Shri Narsingh Jayanti

Narsingh Bhagwan an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu became Narsingh Bhagwan to kill Hiranyakashipu and save Bhakta Prahalada. One of the ten famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Narsingh Bhagwan appeared on earth to kill Hriniyakashipu, the king of asuras. If Lord Rama and Krishna are hailed as Purnavtars or full incarnations, the rest eight of them are, Narasingh Avataras.

Sri Narsingh Bhagwan was the family deity or ishtdev of Sri Manohar Baba who used to keep a fast in celebration of His Deity's appearance day or Narsingh Jayanti. He along with all his devotees used to visit Sri Narsingh Temple in Vrindavan. Its location is near the temples of Sri Banke Bihariji or Radharamanji. In this honour, a book of letters written by Sri Manohar Baba may be launched in celestial Vrindavan.
  
24th May, 2013:Bal Krishan Das ji Maharaj's Gaulok Gaman

Shri Bal Krishan Das ji Maharaj 

Maharaj Bal Krishna Das ji was a saint who lived in Vrindavan and experienced the highest ideal of religious rapture by relishing Shri Radha-Krishna's madhurya or sweet romance. He propagated the Mahamantra and experienced various stages of emotional frenzy because of his love for the Divine.

25^th May, 2013: Kurma Jayanti

Kurma Avatara or The Turtle Incarnation

Kurma, the second avatara of Vishnu belongs to the Satya Yuga like the Matsya Avatar. Vishnu manifested in the form of a half-man half-tortoise, the lower half being a tortoise. He is normally resplendent with four arms and sat on the bottom of the ocean after the Great Flood. A mountain was placed on his back by the other gods so that they could churn the ocean and find the ancient treasures of the Vedic people.

25^th May, 2013: Shri Radharaman Jayanti

Thakur Radharaman ji 

In the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tradition, Sri Radharamana's lotus face is like Sri Govindaji's, His chest is like Sri Gopinath's and His lotus feet are like Sri Madanmohanji's. By sighting Thakur Radharaman one simultaneously receives the darshan of these three primary deities. The Deity of Sri Radharaman manifested from one of Gopal Bhatta Goswami's salagram-silas on a full moon day of Vaisakha (April/May) in 1542.

This event is celebrated every year (May) by bathing the Deity with 100 litres of milk and other auspicious items. Gopal Bhatta Goswami's other salagram-silas are also worshiped on the altar. 

25th May, 2013: Vesak or Buddha Jayanti

Siddhartha Gautam Becomes Lord Buddha

It is a Buddhist festival that marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher who founded Buddhism. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha.

26th May, 2013: Sage Narada Jayanti

Sage Narada

Sri Narada Muni, a great devotee of Sri Radha, is a disciple of Sri Sankadik Maherishi (four Kumaras) and the guru of Sri Nimbarka Acharya. He is known to play the veena while he sings. Narada is a divine sage from the Vaisnava tradition, who plays a prominent role in a number of Puranic texts, especially the Bhagavata Purana, and Ramayana. Narada is the author of the Pāñcarātra, a standard text for Vaisnava's priests. The sage is portrayed as a travelling monk with the ability to visit distant planets or lokas. He carries a tampura or musical instrument, which he uses for singing of hymns, prayers and mantras in devotion to his Lord Vishnu.

26th May, 2013: Van-Vihar

Van Vihar & Parikrama of Vrindavan

Van-Vihar (a visit to the forest groves) and parikrama or circumambulation of Sridham Vrindavan at night with Temple Musicians (Samaj) plus singing devotional songs in attendance, is performed with great serenity.

28th May, 2013: Sri Ganesh Chaturthi Fast

Ganesha, the Foremost God of the Hindu Pantheon

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.