Planet ISKCON

Food for All, UK prasadam distribution charity, has been given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Learn more about Food for All: https://foodforalluk.com/news/

On June 11th, 2021 the Honorable Chief Justice of India, Shri NV Ramana, sought the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Govinda at ISKCON Tirupati along with the presence of His Grace Roopeshwara Chaitanya Das, Vice President of ISKCON Tirupati. NV Ramana had talks with HG Roopeshwar Chaitanya Das in regards to the temple development and welfare activities. Their Lordships […]

The post Chief Justice of India Seeks Blessings of Sri Sri Radha Govinda at Tirupati appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Honorable Chief Justice of India, Shri NV Ramana visits ISKCON Tirupati

Study Gita-Chennai is launching Gita Made Easy Course 2021. This course is free of cost and T is available in both English and Tamil

Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus and the entire TOVP Team wish to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the hundreds of devotees who participated in the recent #GivingToPrabhupada 11 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 14 – 25.

Despite the horrific external world circumstances and challenges, we met with great success and a highly enthusiastic response from devotees worldwide who sponsored abhishekas for the installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP this October. Even as we speak, the data entry has not yet been completed, yet we are close to $400,000 in donations, not including Ambarisa prabhu’s matched amount of $150,000.

The dedication to serve the order of the acharya overcomes all material limitations and brings about amazing and miraculous results in the service of the Lord. This can be seen over and over throughout history and in the present situation.

We are determined to complete the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and new home of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Lord Nrsimhadeva. With the blessings of our acharyas and cooperation of all the devotees in ISKCON this vision of Srila Prabhupada will become a reality very soon. Hare Krishna!

It should be noted that Ambarisa also generously donated $25,000 towards the Covid Relief Program in Mayapur and Bangladesh.

 

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On Saturday, June 5th, ISKCON North America came together to raise awareness and unify devotees and temples as a demonstration of cooperation and love for Srila Prabhupada and our devotees in the affected regions in India.   In Mayapur and Bangladesh, over 7,000 devotee families are suffering due to a lack of resources. There is an […]

The post Devotees Open Their Hearts for Mayapur and Bangladesh appeared first on ISKCON News.

On Saturday, June 5^th, ISKCON North America came together to raise awareness and unify devotees and temples as a demonstration of cooperation and love for Srila Prabhupada and our devotees in the affected regions in India.  

New paperback editions of Srimad-Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers Cantos 1, 2, and 3 are now available on Amazon.com, along with the just completed Canto 4. The first three cantos in the series, compiled by Aruddha Dasi, were originally each released in two parts starting in 2016. However the new editions, redesigned by […]

The post Srimad-Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers Releases New Paperback Editions appeared first on ISKCON News.

New paperback editions of Srimad-Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers Cantos 1, 2, and 3 are now available on Amazon.com, along with the just completed Canto 4.

ISKCON New Vrindaban has started its festival season, which runs from May to September, and draws pilgrims, gives inspiration and association to visiting devotees, helps to maintain the temple, and provides engagement and financial support for devotee staff.

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Guru Trust and Retreat

 

What a treat it was on a Zoom call with 45 colleagues who are influential bhakti yoga instructors from different parts of the globe. It was a planned, three-hour seminar for gurus in the dikshacategory. Presenters such as Bhaktivaibhava Swami from Germany, Atmanivedana Swami from India and Ravindra Svarup from America, spoke marvelously on the topic of challenges for a guru.

 

There was a Q&A session and a portion of time given to breakout groups. I was asked to facilitate. I’m bashful with these things but it went alright as a facilitator for one of these groups. After all, I am a member of the Guru Service Committee so I must render some service.

 

The sangha or association was invaluable. The group agreed to do more of these sessions.

 

A second Zoom call connected me with Mauritius where I was asked to read and comment on a chapter of the Prabhupada Lilamritaentitled “Beyond the Lower Eastside.” The section I read touched on the topics of the restrictions on sexual intercourse for a yoga practitioner. That becomes a controversial topic as it is now, to this day.

 

Can yoga adherents or teachers, whatever the yoga, impose restrictions on people who engage in this activity? One answer will be — if you want to have results then there has to be some discipline. We are not talking so much about suppressing the sex drive but rather regulating it. This is the practice of a guru.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

A Newness

 

Major demolition went on in our men’s ashram, which needed love and attention. Yes, it was time to pull out the parquet floor boards, toss out old furniture, including beds, and start out with a fresh look and feel. The pandemic is arranging for time to get some things done, which is great. Even the public washrooms are having an overhaul. When the renovations are completed, which should be in September, our community should be very happy. Thanks to them we are able to get these positive changes done.

 

It is important that the quarters in a spiritual place be very clean and presentable. Our hope is to have a facility that will draw the attention of “weekend monk try-outs.” Families, if they are small enough, could also take advantage. New classrooms will also be accommodated because, after all, the facility is to be a devotional/educational place.

 

I would say we have a lot of good people in our community and I hope and pray that we will maintain the “new” quarters very nicely.

 

Speaking of nice folks and nice places, just across the street is where I spend some time each day. Today a Mauritian family came to picnic in Ramsden Park at my suggestion. Aindra, Prema, as well as their son and his friend were out to enjoy the green space with me.

 

It’s the way the world should be — nice interior/exterior buildings and space for freedom; to have some recreation with Krishna at the centre.

 

May the source be with you!

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Mount Sinai hospital

 

Rain and Food

 

Don’t worry, I just went for an appointment for x-rays on the knees; an assessment. Gabriel was kind enough to take me there. My short walk back, halfway, was a mere 1 km through drizzle. God knows we need some rain. Precipitation has been low in this part of North America. Better that we step up on sacrifice. According to the Gita anna, food grains, is a result of rain and rain is a result of sacrifice.

 

From this message we can appreciate that sacrifice is essential for humans to be sustained. Chapter Three addresses the need to give. From giving there is then receiving.

 

In the evening I had two Zoom calls. One of them was with the art group, BhaktiArts Hub SOS. Art here refers to performing arts, craft arts, culinary arts, visual arts etc. In our conversation Gaura Vani (the singer) responded to my remark about starving artist. He said that in the Hare Krishna movement you will not find a shortage of food. “We will not starve,” he said.

 

In the early days of our movement we were all relishing the new experiences of Krishna prasadam. Word went around that our guru’s guru called our culture “the kitchen religion.” That is not official, of course, but was said in jest to make a point. A big part of spirituality is in the eating of blessed food. Thank God!

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Lunch

 

A devotee from Brampton, Nanda Maharaj, drove all the way to our downtown ashram to deliver me prasadam, blessed food prepared by his wife, Ananda Mayi. There was packaged wraps and cooked asparagus. Delicious! We made a picnic out of it. That and some cut pineapple made the meal so complete. I invited Sarthak and he relished the outdoor meal, as well as Nanda. Everything tastes better in a natural setting.

 

Now, we are not the only ones with the picnic approach. Other neighbours shared the same idea. This simply reminds me of the lunch program Krishna has as a youngster. Sometimes referred to as tiffin hour, He and His buddies work, play and lunch together as their break. At certain times their meal consists of cut fruit, yogurt (ahimsa dairy) and rice.

 

Krishna sits at the centre on the pasture by a tree while His friends, the gopas, form a circle around him. They eat and talk. It’s a most relaxed atmosphere. It is a divine practice. Krishna is an enjoying God and He is inclusive about it.

 

Any group of people who dine together, making it a spiritual event, are having a holy experience.

 

One thing is, when I do have a bite to eat in the park, I find the squirrels and robins taking to the participatory program. Naturally we must share with them. They are getting prasadam.

 

May the Source be with you!

2 km

 

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Meeting Is Essential

 

It’s been a while since I met cousin Corry and our young Muslim friend, Victor, so we decided to meet again, as we used to before the dawn of winter and the Covid lockdown. A third person also came along; much to my surprise it was a distant relative, Jeanette. She’s not just an ordinary Jeanette. She’s “ScubaJeanette” and, as the name implies, she loves the water and has spent many seasons in clear and salty water exploring. She also has a shark scar bite on her left leg to prove her escapades in the ocean.

 

“Did it hurt?” I asked.

“Very much! I needed surgery.”

 

I remember Jeanette as a young girl. She was part of the Dutchie circle that our clans were connected to. After World War II many residents from the Netherlands settled in Canada and US. That was our experience as kids growing up — Dutch food, Dutch language, Dutch hospitality and work ethics. All good.

 

Anyway, we did reminisce those younger years. And not to leave out Victor; he went through challenges over the year but the worst is behind him. Actually, he is quite spiritual and it is that embracing of spirituality that has sustained him. Nice guy. We’ve done some walking together and we are ready to reset soon.

 

Actually, our group loves to talk about spiritual things. Gone with Covid chats.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Chain Reaction

 

I put out a little slideshow on Instagram today with actor Godruma Gaura portraying verses 6.62-63 from the Gita in a sweet comedic way. Comments from viewers were:

 

“Great expressions.”

“Such a clever idea.”

“One of my favorite verses of BG.”

“So great.”

“I have experienced personally that sequence of actions and reactions.”

 

And the verses are:

 

“While contemplating the objects of the senses a person develops attachment for them and from attachment lust develops, and from lust, anger arises; from anger complete delusion arises and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.”

 

I believe everyone has personally, more or less, experienced this chain reaction. The lesson to learn from this is to avoid, as far as possible, contemplating the objects of the senses. Save yourself a lot of trouble.

 

Thank you, Godruma G. And thank you Krishna for telling us the way it is.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

So Happy

 

I was so happy to receive another submission from a godsister in Los Angeles. She had given her story of the early days in the movement in Canada, to add to the compilation of our upcoming book Krishna in the Maple Leaf. Her spiritual journey began at the young age of fifteen, when she heard about the Bhagavat philosophy. Interesting it is that the guidance counselor at her school encouraged her in her spiritual pursuit.

 

For myself it was just a pleasure to deliver two classes virtually for two locations – Scarborough and Toronto. I believe it went well. Because you’re not physically there it is hard to tell if there is as much attentiveness as desired. Judging by the questions that came thereafter, I consider there was a good response.

 

I was happy to see Gabriel came around. I have been giving him classes for a year now and he has been encouraged; inspired to move close to the temple for increased access to devotees. Gabriel has been inquisitive about life’s purpose for some time. This led him to inquire about the science of the self.

 

My day was full, as it often is on Sundays. I wound up with a much-needed walk through the park and several parallel streets. This was done after some massage and a physio session with Paramahamsa, a young father from Guelph, a city nearby.

 

I was blessed by receiving a call from a lawyer friend from New York. No, we didn’t discuss legal matters — only devotional subject matter.

 

May the Source be with you!

2 km

 

Room at 243, Toronto

 

A Marriage

 

Gopal had his wedding today. Finally. Like most younger chaps his age, when they hit thirty I’ll question them, if not their dad. “Well, is anything happening in terms of settling down?” It is never a hard pressure but more of a subtle one. Towards encouraging the next step for a younger generation to match and multiply.

 

Regardless, I’m happy for Gopal. Gopal finally tied the knot with a girl from Florida – Karuna Kunti. Gopal’s parents are extraordinary; deep into bhakti. They attended the wedding, being residents of Toronto. Her family and friends were abroad, mostly in the U.S., catching everything by Zoom.

 

I was asked to speak briefly and I was indicating to the small group (covid restrictions) that our guru, Prabhupada, married his students as the priest. Often his messages, through letters mostly, were encouraging couples to support each other in service. It’s a good way to keep absorbed in spiritual teamwork. Services of a devotional nature, an offering to Krishna, is the trick.

 

I do wish the couple well and success in their endeavor towards a wholesome life. I see them as quality human beings. Keeping the Supreme in the centre is key to the working relationship.

 

It was a happy event; short but sweet. Our priest was Ananda Gauranga and, as usual, he did a great job.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Snow, Aging and the Flute

 

Believe it or not but despite the gorgeous weather of the last few days, snow came upon us. I was leading the chant at noon in the temple room, which I do every day at what’s called the raja bhoga arti(service), when I took a glance outside. To my surprise huge snowflakes descended on the other side of the window. Mind you, those unwelcome puffs of white melted upon reaching the warmed-up ground but it was a bit of a shock.

 

I had meaningful sessions today, not just about kirtanchanting but discussions such as one regarding a senior facility for our Krishna conscious community. It is beyond the dream stage to have such a facility for the aging sector since we have a local devotee care team established which has compiled a questionnaire. This survey has recently been disbursed with results coming in. It is quite the exciting project – a necessary one which addresses needs for the baby boomers of bhakti and also includes the generation X as well as the many more to come.

 

My day ended with a walk through the park and a reading of a chapter from “Krishna” entitled, “The Gopis Attracted by the Flute of Krishna.” This I read to Sarthak while he massaged my weak knees. This chapter was first read to me during Christmas of 1972 by B.B. Govinda Swami. Reading books by our guru, Prabhupada, is relishable. They are transformative.

 

May the Source be with you!

1 km

 

Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date: 13th June 2021

Day: Sunday

Time: 11 am to 12 noon

Speaker: HG Amarendra das

Topic: Glories of Giriraja Govardana

Link to join the class:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09

HG Amarendra das

Amarendra prabhu is a diksha disciple of His Holiness Radha Govinda Dasa Goswami Maharaj, who is a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, very well known for his classes on the Srimad Bhagavatam. As a disciple, Amarendra prabhu aspires to practice and preach the message of the scriptures far and wide as much as possible and in this endeavour has travelled to many cities around the world spreading Krsna consciousness in Universities, temple Congregations and social platforms such as Youtube, Whatsapp and  facebook.

As part of his student preaching endeavours, he has also been part of many student conferences and has contributed in areas such as Interfaith harmony and Science & spiritual synthesis. 

Academically, Amarendra Prabhu is a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and spiritually holds a Bhakti Shastri degree from Mayapur.

ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada, M1V4C7

Website: www.iskconscarborough.org

Email:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

«Мы хотим получить от Кришны справку: «Этот человек кое-что сделал для Меня».

(Шрила Прабхупада, утренняя прогулка, Бостон, 1968 г.)

 

Мой дорогой духовный учитель, мое желание – это однажды получить справку, что я сделал что-то стоящее, служа тебе.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219838348052087&set=a.3707173840886

 

“We want to get a certificate from Krsna that, ‘This man has done something for Me.’”

( Srila Prabhupada, morning walk, Boston, 1968 )

My dear spiritual master, my desire is that one day I may receive such a certificate that I have done something worthwhile in service to you.

Puranic Cosmology, Volume 1

By H.H. Danavir Goswami (Dr. Dane Holtzman)

Includes the cosmological sections from Visnu Purana, Vayu Purana, Makandeya Purana and Linga Purana. Compiled by Srila Krsna-Dvaipayana Vyasa.

A virtual storehouse of scientific wisdom waiting to be discovered by modern thinkers. Questions which have baffled the world s best brains for centuries are answered here as easily as ABCD. This book will play a profound role in reshaping our view of the cosmos. The translation was painstakingly done by erudite Vaishnava scholars and edited by His Holiness Danavir Goswami. (400 pages, 8 color pages of illustrations, hardbound stitched binding, Sanksrit devanagari, English translations and glossaries.)

 
Author: By Dr. Dane Holtzman
Published: January 1, 2007
Book size: 794 pages
Formats: Hardcover

 
BUY ON AMAZON  

  Residents of India will have to search for this book on www.amazon.in

 

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As you may remember, a few months ago we gave progress reports on the deity of Jaya (the gatekeeper of the main entrance of the TOVP) being FINISHED and ready for installation. Now we are working on the deity of Vijaya.

The work is going on full speed. It’s coming out very nice and we hope that soon we will finish Jaya also. Please have a look at the few photos of completed Jaya and Vijay in working progress. The current painting service for Vijaya deity is being done by two Russian artists, Ambhoda devi dasi and Premalata devi dasi.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

 

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Visit: www.tovp.org
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I met Mother Balai through my sister Padyavali, who lived in Kinross in the Eastern Transvaal. Whenever I visited Kinross I would do as much sankirtana as possible, and soon, through the effort of the devotees, a nama-hatta was established.

Padyavali regularly brought prasadam for Mother Balai and her family, and soon Balai; her good husband, Lenny; and her children, Shamenderan and Priyenderan, took up the process of Krishna consciousness.

Mother Balai and the devotees, including two devotees from nearby towns, Their Graces Raghunath Prabhu and Uddhava Prabhu, started a regular Food for Life (FFL) program.

Mother Balai was an excellent cook, and she and her team used to prepare nutritious meals and distribute them enthusiastically while a group of devotees performed kirtan.

Mother Balai met His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja at the Hillbrow temple and later accepted him as her spiritual master. He described her as a very dynamic devotee. She became very attached to Maharaja, and he became her life and soul. Once, she was alone in Kinross and was very frightened. She took shelter of chanting the holy names, but she was still frightened. She then was inspired from within by Guru Maharaja and started chanting Guru Maharaja’s pranama-mantra and focusing on his picture. She soon overcame her fear, and after that she always took greater shelter of Guru Maharaja and the holy names, and her faith increased more and more.

She loved Srila Prabhupada and wanted to do more and more service. Their Holinesses Krishna Das Swami, Partha Sarathi Das Goswami, and Giriraj Maharaja stayed at her home when they came for big preaching programs in Kinross. She served them and all the sankirtana devotees with heart and soul.

She was very kindhearted. She had a helper who had a five-year-old son who had AIDS. Mother Balai taught him to chant, and he became very attached to her and the devotees. He enthusiastically took part in all the spiritual activities and received special mercy from the maharajas. Mother Balai took care of him until he left his body at a young age.

When she came, with her devotee friend Shakila, on a pilgrimage to India with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, she was so blissful visiting the holy places. She and her friend went out collecting Vraja raja (dust) in the early hours of the morning they were leaving for South Africa.

Until recently, Mother Balai served in the restaurant in Gauteng. She always was very eager to serve in any way she could.

I thank Mother Balai for taking such loving care of us during our sankirtana activities in Kinross. I will miss her sweet, loving association.

Mother Balai, please forgive me for any offenses. I am praying for your auspicious onward spiritual journey and offer my sincere, deep, heartfelt condolences to your family.

Your grateful godsister and friend,
Nama Cintamani dasi

Lord Jagannatha is coming. 2020 was the first year without a New York Ratha Yatra parade in 45 years – instead, Lord Jagannatha was driven down Fifth Avenue in a minivan, along with a virtual online celebration.

By Drutakarma das

Questioning modern theories on the history of evolution on the basis of available evidence, to determine without predjudice, how old the human species is. Continue reading "Evidence for Extreme Human Antiquity (video)
→ Dandavats"

The most auspicious and powerful Pandava Nirjala ekadasi is approaching on June 20 (US)/June 21 (India and parts of US). Observing a full fast, including water, on this one ekadasi is equal to observing all others. And additionally, giving charity on this ekadasi leads to “imperishable” results.

Srila Vyasadeva said to Bhima, “Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this Ekadasi should take a holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord’s Holy names on a japa-mala, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits. There is no need to perform any other kind of religious duty. Observance of this Ekadasi fast alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is imperishable.”

On this day the TOVP management will be launching a special ongoing campaign dedicated to the memory and service of His Grace Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu to fulfill his deepest desire to serve Lord Nrsimhadeva by completing His new home in the TOVP. For one who gave so much to so many devotees worldwide through his selfless rendering of prayers to Lord Nrsimha on their behalf, this is an opportunity to give him something back.

There are two seva options available: sponsor a Nrsimha Brick or give a General Donation towards the completion of Lord Nrsimha’s Wing and altar. Nrsimha Brick donors will have their names inscribed on the brick which will also be laid under the altar.

Make your seva pledge on Pandava Nirjala ekadasi for Pankajanghri prabhu by going to the TOVP website page below: Pankajanghri Das Seva.

 

The Story of Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi.

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great sage Srila Vyasadeva, the grandfather of the Pandavas, if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi fasts.

Bhimasena spoke as follows, “Oh greatly intelligent and learned grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my beloved wife Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast completely on each Ekadasi and strictly follow all the rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions of that sacred day.
Being very religious, they always tell me that I should also fast on that day too.
But, Oh learned grandfather, I tell them that I cannot live without eating, because as the son of Vayudeva, samanaprana (the digestive air) hunger is unbearable to me. I can give widely in charity and worship Lord Keshava properly with all manner of wonderful upacharas (items), but I cannot be asked to fast on Ekadasi.
Please tell me how I can obtain the same merits without fasting.”

Hearing these words, the grandsire of Bhima, Srila Vyasadeva said, “If you want to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the hellish planets, you should indeed observe a fast on both the light and dark Ekadasis.”

Bhima replied, “Oh great saintly, intelligent grandfather, please listen to my plea.
Oh greatest of munis, since I cannot live if I eat only once in a day, how can I possibly live if I fast completely? Within my stomach burns a special fire named Vrika, the fire of digestion. Agni, the fire-god, descends from Lord Vishnu through Brahma, from Brahma to Angirasa, from Angirasa to Brihaspathi, and from Brihaspathi to Samyu, who was Agni’s father. He is the gatekeeper in charge of Nairritti, the south-eastern direction. He is one of the eight material elements, and Parikshit Maharaja, he is very expert at examining things. He examined Maharaja Shibi once by turning into a dove. (for further information on this incident see Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam commentary to 1:12:20. Purport.)

Agni is divided into three categories; Davagni, the fire in wood, Jatharagni, the fire in the digestion in the stomach, and Vadavagni, the fire that creates fog when hot and cold streams mix in for example the ocean. Another name for the fire of digestion is Vrika. It is this powerful fire that resides in my stomach. Only when I eat to my full satisfaction does the fire in my stomach become satisfied.

Oh great sage, I might possibly be able to fast only once, so I beg that you tell me of an Ekadasi that is worthy of my fasting and that includes all other Ekadasis.
I shall faithfully observe that fast and hopefully still become eligible for liberation’s release.”

Srila Vyasadeva replied, “Oh king, you have heard from me about the various kinds of occupational duties, such as elaborate Vedic ceremonies and pujas.
In the Kali-yuga, however, no one will be able to observe all these occupational & functional duties properly. I shall therefore tell you how, at practically no expense, one can endure some small austerity and achieve the greatest benefit and resultant happiness. The essence of what is written in the Vedic literatures known as the Puranas is that one should not eat on either the dark or light fortnight Ekadasis. One who fasts on Ekadasi is saved from going to the hellish planets.”

As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam (Mahabhagavat Puranam) 12:13:12 and 15, the Bhagavat Puranam is itself the essence or cream of all Vedanta philosophy (sara-vedanta-saram), and the Srimad Bhagavatam’s unequivocal message is that of full surrender to Lord Sri Krishna and the rendering of loving devotional service to Him. Observing Ekadasi strictly is a great aid in that process, and here Srila Vyasadeva is simply stressing to Bhima the importance of the Ekadasi vratam.

Hearing Srila Vyasadeva’s words, the son of Vayu, Bhimasena, the strongest of all warriors, became frightened and began to shake like a leaf on a banyan tree in a strong wind. The frightened Bhimasena then said, “Oh grandfather, what should I do? I am completely unable and ill equipped to fast twice in a month throughout the year! Please tell me of the one fasting day that will bestow the greatest benefit upon me!”

Vyasadeva replied, “Without drinking even water, you should fast on the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June) when the sun travels in the sign of Taurus (Vrishabh) and Gemini (Mithun).

According to learned personalities, on this day one may bathe and perform Achamana for pratiprokshana purification. But while performing Achamana one may drink only that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount it takes to immerse a single mustard seed. Only this amount of water should be placed in the right palm for sipping, which one should form to resemble a cow’s ear. If one drinks more water than this, he might as well have drunk wine despite the soaring heat of summer (in the northern hemisphere and cold in the southern hemisphere).

One must certainly not eat anything, for if he does so he breaks his fast.
This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the Ekadasi day to sunrise on the Dwadashi day. If a person endeavors to observe this great fast very strictly, he easily achieves the result of observing all twenty-four other Ekadasi fasts throughout the entire year.

On Dwadashi the devotee should bathe early in the morning. Then, according to the prescribed rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions, and of course depending on his ability, he should give some gold and water to worthy brahmanas. Finally, he should cheerfully honor prasadam with a branmana.

Oh Bhimasena, one who can fast on this special Ekadasi in this manner reaps the benefit of having fasted on every Ekadasi during the year. There is no doubt of this, nor should there be.

Oh Bhima, now hear the specific merit one gets by fasting on this Ekadasi. The Supreme Lord Keshava, who holds a conch, discus, club and lotus, personally told me, `Everyone should take shelter of Me and follow My instructions.’ Then He told me that one who fasts on this Ekadasi, without taking even drinking water or eating, becomes free of all sinful reactions, and that one who observes the difficult nirjala fast on Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi truly reaps the benefit of all other Ekadasi fasts.’

“Oh Bhimasena, in the Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, when all the principles of the Vedas will have been destroyed or greatly minimized, and when there will be no proper charity or observance of the ancient Vedic principles and ceremonies, how will there be any means of purifying the self? But there is the opportunity to fast on Ekadasi and become free of all one’s past sins.

Oh son of Vayu, what more can I say to you? You should not eat during the Ekadasis that occur during the dark and light fortnights, and you should even give up drinking water (nir = no jala= water) on the particularly auspicious Ekadasi day of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi.

Oh Vrikodara (voracious eater), whoever fasts on this Ekadasi receives the merits of bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, giving all kinds of charities to worthy persons, and fasting on all the dark and light Ekadasis throughout the year, in one go. Of this there is no doubt.

Oh tiger among men, whoever fasts on this Ekadasi truly becomes a great person and achieves all manner of opulence and wealth, grains, strength, and health.

And at the fearful moment of death, the terrible Yamadutas, whose complexions are yellow and black and who brandish huge maces and twirl mystic pasha ropes in the air for binding their victims, will refuse to approach him. Rather, such a faithful soul will at once be taken to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnu-dutas, whose transcendentally beautiful forms are clothed in gorgeous yellowish garments and who each hold a disk, club, conch and lotus in their four hands, resembling Lord Vishnu. It is to gain all these benefits that one should certainly fast on this very auspicious and important Ekadasi, even from water.”

When the other Pandavas heard about the benefits to be gained by following Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi, they resolved to observe it exactly as their grandfather Srila Vyasadeva had explained it to their brother, Bhimasena. All the Pandavas observed it by refraining from eating or drinking anything, and thus this day is also known as Pandava Nirjala Dvadashi (technically it is a Maha-Dvadashi).

Srila Vyasadeva continued, “Oh Bhimasena, therefore you should observe this important fast to remove all your past sinful reactions. You should pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna in this way making your sankalpa declaration, `Oh Lord of all the devas (demigods), Oh Supreme Personality of Godhead, today I shall observe Ekadasi without taking any water.

Oh unlimited Anantadeva, I shall break fast on the next day, Dwadashi.’

“Thereafter, to remove all his sins, the devotee should honor this Ekadasi fast with full faith in the Lord and with full control over his senses. Whether his sins are equal in volume to Mount Sumeru or to Mandarachala Hill, if he or she observes this Ekadasi, the sins that have been accumulated all become nullified and are burned to ashes. Such is the great power of this Ekadasi.

Oh best of human beings, although a person should also give water and cows in charity during this Ekadasi, if for some reason or other he cannot, then he should give a qualified brahmana some cloth or a pot filled with water. Indeed, the merit achieved by giving water alone equals that gained by giving gold ten million times a day.

Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this Ekadasi should take a holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord’s Holy names on a japa-mala, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits. There is no need to perform any other kind of religious duty. Observance of this Ekadasi fast alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is imperishable.

Remember, whosoever eats any grains on Ekadasi becomes contaminated by sin and verily eats only sin. In effect, he has already become a dog-eater, and after death he suffers a hellish existence. But he who observes this sacred Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi and gives something in charity certainly achieves liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and attains to the supreme abode.
Observing this Ekadasi, which is merged with Dwadashi, frees one from the horrible sin of killing a brahmana, drinking liquor and wine, becoming envious of one’s spiritual master and ignoring his instructions, and continually telling lies.

Furthermore, Oh best of beings (Jivottama), any man or woman who observes this fast properly and worships the Supreme Lord Jalshayi (He who sleeps on the water), and who on the next day satisfies a qualified brahmana with nice sweets and a donation of cows and money – such a person certainly pleases the Supreme Lord Vasudeva, so much so that one hundred previous generations in his family undoubtedly go to the Supreme Lord’s abode, even though they may have been very sinful, of bad character, and guilty of suicide, etc. Indeed, one who observes this amazing Ekadasi rides on a glorious celestial airplane (vimana) to the Lord’s abode.

One who on this day gives a brahmana a waterpot, an umbrella, or shoes surely goes to the heavenly planets. Indeed, he who simply hears these glories also attains to the transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu. Whoever performs the Shraddha ceremony to the forefathers on the dark-moon day called amavasya, particularly if it occurs at the time of a solar eclipse undoubtedly achieves great merit. But this same merit is achieved by him who simply hears this sacred narration – so powerful and so dear to the Lord is this Ekadasi.

One should clean his teeth properly and, without eating or drinking, observe this Ekadasi to please the Supreme Lord, Keshava. On the day after Ekadasi one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form as Trivikrama by offering Him water, flowers, incense, and a brightly burning lamp. Then the devotee should pray from the heart, `Oh God of gods, Oh deliverer of everyone, Oh Hrishikesha, master of the senses, kindly bestow upon me the gift of liberation, though I can offer you nothing greater than this humble pot filled with water.’ “Then the devotee should donate the waterpot to a brahmana. Oh Bhimasena, after this Ekadasi fast and donating the recommended items according to his ability, the devotee should feed brahmanas and thereafter honor prasadam silently.”

Srila Vyasadeva concluded, “I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious, purifying, sin-devouring Dwadashi in just the way I have outlined.

Thus you will be completely freed of all sins and reach the supreme abode.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi, or Bhimaseni-nirjala Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

( Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi story provided courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree).

 

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