PURUSOTTAMA
ADIKA MASA
beginning
August 18, the end of September 16, 2012
Padmini
Ekadasi 27 August 2012
Parama
Ekadasi 12 September 2012
The
holy month of Purushottama Adika masa falls every 36 months or so, is
an additional month you need to adjust the lunar year which is based
on the Vedic calendar, (it would be like the western leap year), this
month it is entered in an existing current month which is then split
in half and resumed after the end of this month extra.
It
'a holy month very beneficial and full of blessings, that I recommend
to everyone to follow the best possible. The very fact of being
conscious of this month, its characteristics and its quality is
already very important, if we put into practice all the tips you will
find below you will see an endless and profound blessing in your
life.
Below
you will find:
1.
The glories of Purushottama Masa Adika, story of the origin of the
month and its characteristics,
2.
Padmini Ekadasi, the holy day of the month in additional (Ekadasi,
are holy days of fasting from legumes and cereals are days when evil
personified "Papapurusa" hides in legumes and cereals, in
order of Krishna)
3.
Parama Ekadasi, the Ekadasi that at the end of the month add-on and
in which is contained the advice of a fast of five days to enhance
the value of this month purifier. Fasting can be done just by
drinking and eating very little, maybe Mahaprasada, spiritualized
food offered to God
4.The
rules and regulations upon which this additional month of
Purushottama Adika masa
Take
some time to read more, or read a little at times, but carefully
assessed the opportunity to attend this holy month with love so dear
to Krishna ... you will see His blessings in your life ...
THE
GLORIES OF PURSHOTTAMA MONTH
(Translated from Padma Purana)
(Translated from Padma Purana)
Once upon a time, thousands of sages came together in the holy place called
Naimisaranya to perform sacrifice. To their very good fortune the great sage
Suta Goswami, who had been traveling to different pilgrimage sites, arrived
there along with his disciples. The sages present were very enlivened to see
him. They all stood up immediately to pay their respects to the great sage, offered him a very nice Vyasasana, and requested him with folded hands to sit down on it.
The sages of Naimisaranya said to Suta Goswami with folded hands, "O Sutaji! We
humbly request you to tell us something about the wonderful activities and
pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are many thousands of
such narrations, but we want to hear the most perfect one, by following which
we can all be delivered from this Material Ocean and return back to Godhead.
Hearing the request made by these sages, headed by Saunaka Rsi, Suta Goswami
began to speak, "O sages, please listen to me. I first went to Puskara Tirtha,
then after visiting thousands of other holy places, I reached Hastinapura.
There on the bank of Ganges, I saw thousands of sages sitting together with Pariksit Maharaja. Just then the great sage Sukadeva Goswami appeared, and all the sages present paid him proper respect by rising from their seats with folded hands. All the sages unanimously offered the Vyasasana to Sukadeva Goswami, who would speak Krishna katha to Pariksit Maharaja.
Suta Goswami said, "O sages, I have just come from Hastinapura where I heard Srimad Bhagavatam from the lotus mouth of Sukadeva Goswami. Now I will tell you about the all-attractive activities and pastimes of the Lord.
Once, long ago, Sri Narada Muni reached Badrika Ashram, the residence of Sri Narayana Rishi. The river Alakananda was flowing down from His lotus feet.
Narada paid his obeisances to Narayana and prayed, "Oh Lord of the demigods, Oh,ocean of mercy! Oh master of creation, You are all truthful, the essence of all truths. I offer my obeisances unto You. "Oh Lord! In this material world all living entities are busily engaged in sense gratification. They have all forgotten the ultimate goal of life. Therefore please explain something which will be helpful both for householders and sages in the renounced order like me, something that will help us attain self realization and return back to Godhead."
Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, for they will diminish all sinful reaction. You already know of all the activities of the Supreme Lord, but for the benefit of others, you are asking Me again. So now I will tell you about the glories of the sacred Purushottama month, which is fully potent to grant not only all material happiness but also qualify one to return back to Godhead at the end of life.
Naradji enquired, "O Lord, I have heard the glories of all months including Kartika, Chaitra, etc., but which month is this Purushottama month? O ocean of mercy, please tell me all about this sacred month.
What
is the way to glorify this month? What should I do in this month? How
should I take bath, give in charity, etc. What should I chant? Who
should I worship? Should I observe fasting in this month?"
Please tell me everything in detail.
Suta Goswavmi said, "O sages, after hearing all these questions form Narada, Lord Narayana began to speak from His moon-like lotus mouth, "O Narada, I will tell you something which was previously explained by Lord Sri Krishna to Maharaja Yudhisthira. Once Dharmaraja Yudhisthira lost everything his empire, his palace and even his chaste wife Draupadi to Duryodhana in a gambling match.
At that time Draupadi was insulted by Dusasana in front of the whole royal assembly. But when Dusasana had tried to strip Draupadi naked, she was saved
from such a dangerous situation by Lord Sri Krishna. After this incident, Yudhisthira Maharaja along with his brothers and wife left hiskingdom and lived in Kamyavan, Vrindavan.
Once Sri Krishna, son of Devaki, visited the Pandavas in that forest. All the Pandavas, including Draupadi, were very happy to see their Lord, and they forgot their painful forest life immediately. They felt enriched with a new life just by taking Sri Krishna's darshan. They paid their obeisances at their Lord's lotus feet. Seeing the miserable condition of the Pandavas, Sri Krishna became very upset, and at the same time He became very angry towards Duryodhana. It appeared as if the Lord was going to destroy the whole universe, and so the Pandavas became fearful and all began to pray to the Lord in a humble mood. Listening to the humble prayers of Arjuna, the Lord composed Himself and said, "Oh Arjuna, being very pleased with all of you Pandavas, and being controlled by your devotion and friendship towards Me, I will now tell you about the wonderful history of Purushottama month.
Once upon a time, by the arrangement of providence, an extra month came to this world. Every one took this month to be most inauspicious, and even saw it as a stool-like month. Just as one should not touch stool, this month was also seen as untouchable. It was constantly unprotected and blasphemed, and rejected by
everyone as an improper time for any religious and auspicious activities.
Being so rejected by all human beings, and constantly hearing only bad words
and blasphemy, the personality of this extra month became very sad. She came to
Vaikuntha to explain her sorrowful situation to the Lord. Seeing Lord Vishnu on
His simhasana, she fell down at His lotus feet in a mood of sorrow and grief.
Tears were falling profusely from her eyes. She prayed to the Lord, "Oh ocean
of mercy! I have come to You because I am helpless. I have been rejected and
blasphemed by all people of the world. Please protect me; please show me Your
mercy. Please don't be indifferent towards me." Saying these words, the extra
month [adhik maas] continued crying in front of Lord Vishnu and sat down before
Him in a dejected mood. Seeing the humble and pitiable position of the extra
month, Lord Vishnu became very merciful towards her. He told her, "Do not
lament, I shall give you protection form all of your miseries. Please stop
crying. It is not proper to lament after taking shelter of My lotus feet."
Being so consoled by the Lord, the extra month said, "Oh Lord, You know my
painful condition. No one is in more miserable situation in these three worlds
than I. First of all, all other months, years, days, nights, directions etc.
are being protected by You, and so they are always moving fearlessly in their
unique charming moods. But I [an extra month] don't have any name, nor any
protector, nor a husband to give me shelter. All the demigods and human beings
have rejected me for any auspicious activities. For this reason, oh Lord, I
want to die immediately." Oh Narada, this extra month then repeatedly said, "I
want to die! I want to die! I want to die!" Then she fainted at the feet of the
Lord.
Being requested by Lord Vishnu, Garuda started fanning the extra month. And
after sometime she got up and began to speak again, "Oh Lord of the universe, I
am in need of Your shelter, please protect me."
Lord Vishnu told the extra month, "Oh child, please don't lament, your misery
will be finished very soon. Get up and come with Me to Goloka Vrindavana, which
is even unattainable to great yogis. Goloka is the abode of Lord Sri Krishna.
Here Lord Sri Krishna is in His two handed form, surrounded by gopis and is
enjoying His eternal pastimes. The Supreme Sri Krishna of Goloka will deliver
you from all your miseries, please come with Me." Then Lord Vishnu took
Malamasa (the extra month) to Goloka by catching her by the hand.
From a distant place Lord Vishnu and Malamasa observed the effulgence of
Goloka. This dazzling effulgence automatically forced Malamasa to close her
eyes. Therefore, keeping the extra month behind Him, Lord Vishnu proceeded
further until they reached the main gate. There the doorkeeper paid his
respects to Him.
Having reached the Supreme Abode, Lord Vishnu met Lord Sri Krishna who was
surrounded by many devoted gopis. Lord Vishnu husband of Ramadevi, paid His
obeisances to Lord Sri Krishna. Then He made the extra month also offer her
obeisances at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, even though she was crying
loudly. Immediately Sri Krishna asked, "Why is she crying? She is in Goloka
Vrindavana, why is she crying?" Hearing these words form Lord Sri Krishna, Lord
Vishnu got up from His seat and started explaining the miserable condition of
the extra month. He begged Him to please protect his unprotected month. "There
is no one except You Lord Krishna, who can save this extra month from her
hellish condition and give her full protection." Having said these words, Lord
Vishnu remained standing in front of Lord Krishna with folded hands.
Then Suta Goswami continued to speak, "Oh sages! Lord Vishnu took his seat, and
Lord Krishna spoke very confidential words to Him. Listen carefully, for I am
now going to share those words with all of you.
Purushottama Sri Krishna said, "Oh Vishnu, you have done a very great deed by
bringing this extra month to Me. You will become even more famous for
performing this act. Because You have accepted this Malamasa, I will also
accept her. I shall make this poor extra month just like Me in quality, fame
opulence, realization, success, and in giving benediction to the devotees. This
month will become equally potent to Me. I am bestowing all of My divine
qualities in this abused month. Named after Me, this month will be famous as
Purushottama month in this world.
"Oh Janardana, now that she has imbued My qualities, I Myself will become the
husband and protector of this Purushottama month. And being equal to Me, this
month will be the master of all other months. Now this month will become
worshipable by one and all. Everyone should pay their obeisances to her,
everyone should worship her. This month is equally as powerful as Me to give
any type of benediction to its observer. The worshiper of this month will be
able to burn all this past sinful reactions to ashes, and after enjoying a
blissful life in the material realm, he will return back to Godhead.
"Oh Garudadhwaja," Lord Sri Krishna continued, "My Goloka is unattainable to
the performers of austerities, mahatmas engaged in pious activities, to people
who maintain celibacy, or to those who fast their whole life's duration. But
just by observing Purushottama month and becoming a devotee one can easily
cross over this material ocean and return back to Godhead. Observance of this
Purushottama month is the best of all austerities. Just as a farmer produces a
rich harvest by planting seeds in nicely cultivated land, so an intelligent man
who practices devotional service towards the Supreme Lord in this Purushottama
month will enjoy a blissful life while in this world and after leaving his body
he will return back to Godhead.
"An unfortunate ignorant man, who does not perform any japa, does not give any
charity, does not pay respect to Lord Sri Krishna and His devotees, does not
behave properly to brahmanas, makes enmity with others and who blasphemes the
Purushottama month will go to hell for an unlimited period." Lord Sri Krishna
continued, "How can a person make his life successful unless he performs
devotional service in this Purushottama month? A person who is fully engaged in
sense gratification and does not give any special importance to this sacred
month becomes the best candidate for hell.
Suta Goswavmi said, "O sages, after hearing all these questions form Narada, Lord Narayana began to speak from His moon-like lotus mouth, "O Narada, I will tell you something which was previously explained by Lord Sri Krishna to Maharaja Yudhisthira. Once Dharmaraja Yudhisthira lost everything his empire, his palace and even his chaste wife Draupadi to Duryodhana in a gambling match.
At that time Draupadi was insulted by Dusasana in front of the whole royal assembly. But when Dusasana had tried to strip Draupadi naked, she was saved
from such a dangerous situation by Lord Sri Krishna. After this incident, Yudhisthira Maharaja along with his brothers and wife left hiskingdom and lived in Kamyavan, Vrindavan.
Once Sri Krishna, son of Devaki, visited the Pandavas in that forest. All the Pandavas, including Draupadi, were very happy to see their Lord, and they forgot their painful forest life immediately. They felt enriched with a new life just by taking Sri Krishna's darshan. They paid their obeisances at their Lord's lotus feet. Seeing the miserable condition of the Pandavas, Sri Krishna became very upset, and at the same time He became very angry towards Duryodhana. It appeared as if the Lord was going to destroy the whole universe, and so the Pandavas became fearful and all began to pray to the Lord in a humble mood. Listening to the humble prayers of Arjuna, the Lord composed Himself and said, "Oh Arjuna, being very pleased with all of you Pandavas, and being controlled by your devotion and friendship towards Me, I will now tell you about the wonderful history of Purushottama month.
Once upon a time, by the arrangement of providence, an extra month came to this world. Every one took this month to be most inauspicious, and even saw it as a stool-like month. Just as one should not touch stool, this month was also seen as untouchable. It was constantly unprotected and blasphemed, and rejected by
everyone as an improper time for any religious and auspicious activities.
Being so rejected by all human beings, and constantly hearing only bad words
and blasphemy, the personality of this extra month became very sad. She came to
Vaikuntha to explain her sorrowful situation to the Lord. Seeing Lord Vishnu on
His simhasana, she fell down at His lotus feet in a mood of sorrow and grief.
Tears were falling profusely from her eyes. She prayed to the Lord, "Oh ocean
of mercy! I have come to You because I am helpless. I have been rejected and
blasphemed by all people of the world. Please protect me; please show me Your
mercy. Please don't be indifferent towards me." Saying these words, the extra
month [adhik maas] continued crying in front of Lord Vishnu and sat down before
Him in a dejected mood. Seeing the humble and pitiable position of the extra
month, Lord Vishnu became very merciful towards her. He told her, "Do not
lament, I shall give you protection form all of your miseries. Please stop
crying. It is not proper to lament after taking shelter of My lotus feet."
Being so consoled by the Lord, the extra month said, "Oh Lord, You know my
painful condition. No one is in more miserable situation in these three worlds
than I. First of all, all other months, years, days, nights, directions etc.
are being protected by You, and so they are always moving fearlessly in their
unique charming moods. But I [an extra month] don't have any name, nor any
protector, nor a husband to give me shelter. All the demigods and human beings
have rejected me for any auspicious activities. For this reason, oh Lord, I
want to die immediately." Oh Narada, this extra month then repeatedly said, "I
want to die! I want to die! I want to die!" Then she fainted at the feet of the
Lord.
Being requested by Lord Vishnu, Garuda started fanning the extra month. And
after sometime she got up and began to speak again, "Oh Lord of the universe, I
am in need of Your shelter, please protect me."
Lord Vishnu told the extra month, "Oh child, please don't lament, your misery
will be finished very soon. Get up and come with Me to Goloka Vrindavana, which
is even unattainable to great yogis. Goloka is the abode of Lord Sri Krishna.
Here Lord Sri Krishna is in His two handed form, surrounded by gopis and is
enjoying His eternal pastimes. The Supreme Sri Krishna of Goloka will deliver
you from all your miseries, please come with Me." Then Lord Vishnu took
Malamasa (the extra month) to Goloka by catching her by the hand.
From a distant place Lord Vishnu and Malamasa observed the effulgence of
Goloka. This dazzling effulgence automatically forced Malamasa to close her
eyes. Therefore, keeping the extra month behind Him, Lord Vishnu proceeded
further until they reached the main gate. There the doorkeeper paid his
respects to Him.
Having reached the Supreme Abode, Lord Vishnu met Lord Sri Krishna who was
surrounded by many devoted gopis. Lord Vishnu husband of Ramadevi, paid His
obeisances to Lord Sri Krishna. Then He made the extra month also offer her
obeisances at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, even though she was crying
loudly. Immediately Sri Krishna asked, "Why is she crying? She is in Goloka
Vrindavana, why is she crying?" Hearing these words form Lord Sri Krishna, Lord
Vishnu got up from His seat and started explaining the miserable condition of
the extra month. He begged Him to please protect his unprotected month. "There
is no one except You Lord Krishna, who can save this extra month from her
hellish condition and give her full protection." Having said these words, Lord
Vishnu remained standing in front of Lord Krishna with folded hands.
Then Suta Goswami continued to speak, "Oh sages! Lord Vishnu took his seat, and
Lord Krishna spoke very confidential words to Him. Listen carefully, for I am
now going to share those words with all of you.
Purushottama Sri Krishna said, "Oh Vishnu, you have done a very great deed by
bringing this extra month to Me. You will become even more famous for
performing this act. Because You have accepted this Malamasa, I will also
accept her. I shall make this poor extra month just like Me in quality, fame
opulence, realization, success, and in giving benediction to the devotees. This
month will become equally potent to Me. I am bestowing all of My divine
qualities in this abused month. Named after Me, this month will be famous as
Purushottama month in this world.
"Oh Janardana, now that she has imbued My qualities, I Myself will become the
husband and protector of this Purushottama month. And being equal to Me, this
month will be the master of all other months. Now this month will become
worshipable by one and all. Everyone should pay their obeisances to her,
everyone should worship her. This month is equally as powerful as Me to give
any type of benediction to its observer. The worshiper of this month will be
able to burn all this past sinful reactions to ashes, and after enjoying a
blissful life in the material realm, he will return back to Godhead.
"Oh Garudadhwaja," Lord Sri Krishna continued, "My Goloka is unattainable to
the performers of austerities, mahatmas engaged in pious activities, to people
who maintain celibacy, or to those who fast their whole life's duration. But
just by observing Purushottama month and becoming a devotee one can easily
cross over this material ocean and return back to Godhead. Observance of this
Purushottama month is the best of all austerities. Just as a farmer produces a
rich harvest by planting seeds in nicely cultivated land, so an intelligent man
who practices devotional service towards the Supreme Lord in this Purushottama
month will enjoy a blissful life while in this world and after leaving his body
he will return back to Godhead.
"An unfortunate ignorant man, who does not perform any japa, does not give any
charity, does not pay respect to Lord Sri Krishna and His devotees, does not
behave properly to brahmanas, makes enmity with others and who blasphemes the
Purushottama month will go to hell for an unlimited period." Lord Sri Krishna
continued, "How can a person make his life successful unless he performs
devotional service in this Purushottama month? A person who is fully engaged in
sense gratification and does not give any special importance to this sacred
month becomes the best candidate for hell.
All
human beings should perform somedevotional service in this
Purushottama month by:
1.. Worshipping Me, Sri Krishna, by chanting My holy name
2.. Study of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, particularly Chapter
Fifteen, Purushottama Yoga
3.. Giving in charity
4.. Offering ghee diya (lamp) daily
A fortunate person who follows My instructions and observes this Purushottama
month properly, and in a faithful way worships Me will attain fame, opulence
and a good son in this very life. After enjoying a happy life, he will return back to Goloka Dhama. By following My instructions, everyone should worship this sacred month. I have made it the best among all other months. Oh husband of Rama devi (Vishnu), give up all kinds of mental speculation about this extra month. Just take this Purushottama month with You to Your Vaikuntha abode.
1.. Worshipping Me, Sri Krishna, by chanting My holy name
2.. Study of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, particularly Chapter
Fifteen, Purushottama Yoga
3.. Giving in charity
4.. Offering ghee diya (lamp) daily
A fortunate person who follows My instructions and observes this Purushottama
month properly, and in a faithful way worships Me will attain fame, opulence
and a good son in this very life. After enjoying a happy life, he will return back to Goloka Dhama. By following My instructions, everyone should worship this sacred month. I have made it the best among all other months. Oh husband of Rama devi (Vishnu), give up all kinds of mental speculation about this extra month. Just take this Purushottama month with You to Your Vaikuntha abode.
**************************
After
narrating this brief history of the Purushottama month, Lord Sri
Krishna
glanced very mercifully upon Yudhisthira and Draupadi, and then began speaking
to Arjuna:
"Oh lion amongst men, can you now understand the reason why you Pandavas are
suffering? You did not acknowledge or honor the presence of Purushottama month,
which has just recently finished. That month which is most dear to Vrindavan
Chandra has passed, but you Pandavas were in the forest and did not worship
Purushottama month. So now you are suffering. You have been following the
ritualistic principles given to you by Vyasadeva, but unless you worship
Purushottama month you cannot perform pure devotional service to Me."
Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical
event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth,
Draupadi was the daughter of a great Brahmana Sage called Medhavi. Her mother
died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father.
Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her
father was not interested in arranging her marriage. Seeing her other
girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a
very miserable way. In the meantime, her father passed away from this material
world while uttering the sacred name of Hari.
"This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage,
Durvasa Muni, appeared in her ashram shortly after her father's death. Seeing
the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped
him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage. When he expressed his
pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him.
Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to
speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything Â- past, present and future.
I have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents
have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and
therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.
Sage Durvasa began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most
auspicious Purushottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to
Lord Sri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can
become completely sinless. This Purushottama month is more glorious than all
other months, including Kartik month. The glories of all other months is not
even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purushottama month. The merit of
a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of
taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a
person who takes a bath in the Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati enters Leo.
If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krishna during this month, all your miseries will go away. You will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice. Please do not forget to worship the forthcoming Purushottama month very sincerely."
After speaking these words, Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the
young brahmani did not believe in his words; rather she became angry and
started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month,
which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months
like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha? I cannot believe your words. You are trying
to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of
pious activity."
Hearing these words of the brahmana girl, Durvasa became very angry, his whole
body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless
condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself.
Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unintelligent one, I am not going to curse you
because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless
condition. Being and ignorant child, you cannot understand the shastrik
conclusion. I am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at
the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purushottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of
your offensive words." The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to
perform his service for Lord Narayana.
Lord Sri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that
place the brahmana girl [Druapadi in her previous birth] lost all of her
opulences in a moment. Being an offender to Purushottama month, her body began
to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided
to worship Lord Shiva who is known as Ashutosh, one who is very easily pleased.
This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to pleas Lord
Shiva, the husband of Parvati. She continued her austerities for nine thousand
years. In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire
and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold
water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord
Shankara then appeared before the brahmana girl because he was pleased by her
worship and austerities. When Lord Shiva appeared before the girl in his
spiritual form, she immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord
Shiva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look
beautiful. Seeing Lord Shiva in front of her, she started to worship him in her
mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.
Being very pleased with the girl, Lord Shiva said, "Oh performer of austerity,
all good fortune to you. Now please ask some boon from me. I am pleased with
you. I shall grant whatever you want."
Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Shiva, the girl said, "Oh friend of
the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me a husband." Repeatedly
speaking the same words, "Give me a husband," five times, the girl then fell
silent. Then Lord Shiva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five
times, and so you will get five husbands."
Hearing Lord Shiva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord,
it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words." Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, "That is impossible for me.”
What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your
next life. Previously you offended Purushottama month by not following the kind
advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is no difference between the
body of Durvasa and mine. All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the
great saints like Narada, worship this Purushottama month in accord with the
order of Lord Sri Krishna. A devotee of Purushottama month achieves all good
fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dham,
the abode of Lord Sri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purushottama
month, you will get five husbands in your next life."
The girl become very remorseful, but Lord Shiva immediately disappeared from
the place. After Lord Shiva's departure the young brahmani became very morose
and fearful about her future life. In this way, after few days, the girl left
her body by the arrangement of providence.
Lord Sri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada
had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth. She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rishi has now become famous in the world as Draupadi. She is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed the Purushottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Sri Krishna] and took My shelter. Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purushottama month. A person who blasphemes Purushottama month will never attain good fortune. This Purushottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purushottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you."
Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way, Lord Sri Krishna then left
that place for Dwaraka.
After some time, when Purushottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhisthira
reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Sri
Krishna. All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They
worshipped Purushottama Sri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month.
From the merit they achieved by performing Purushottama vrata, they regained
their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to
Godhead by the grace of Lord Sri Krishna.
An intelligent person should engage himself in hearing Krishna katha from a
pure soul. In this way, one should always meditate on Krishna and discuss His
pastimes with other devotees. He should take rest thinking of Lord Sri Krishna
within his heart. If one is a grihastha, he should perform his household duties
in a truthful and peaceful way. He should not commit violence to others and
should be merciful towards saintly people as well as to the poor. Protection of
animals, truthful speech, mercifulness, and nonviolence are some of the
important principles a grihastha should follow.
Suta Goswami then continued to relate this discussion between Lord Narayana and Naradji to the sages of Naimisaranya. He said, "O brahmanas, the great sage
Narada Muni became very pleased by hearing all about Purushottama month from Lord Narayana. He paid his obeisances again and again to Him and began to
speak, "Oh this Purushottama month is the best of all months, it is the best of
all kinds of vratas and austerities. Even if one just hears the glories of Purushottama month faithfully, he will achieve devotional service to the
Supreme Lord Purusottama, and all of his sinful reactions will be immediately
nullified. One who performs Purushottama vrata and worships Purushottama month properly will achieve unlimited merit and thus attain Goloka.
Narada Muni then told Lord Narayana, "O Lord, now I am fully satisfied and my
heart and mind are completely satisfied. All glories to You!"
After so explaining these glories of Purushottama month, Srila Suta Gosvami
asked permission from the assembled sages to take their leave, bathe in the
Ganges, and perform his other regular duties. They gratefully agreed, and he
then paid them his humble obesiances and went to the Ganges. The sages of
Naimisaranya then spoke among themselves, "Oh, this sacred Purushottama month is the most glorious, and its history is ancient. It is so merciful that it
fulfills all of a devotee's desires just like a desire tree. How glorious is Purushottama month!"
glanced very mercifully upon Yudhisthira and Draupadi, and then began speaking
to Arjuna:
"Oh lion amongst men, can you now understand the reason why you Pandavas are
suffering? You did not acknowledge or honor the presence of Purushottama month,
which has just recently finished. That month which is most dear to Vrindavan
Chandra has passed, but you Pandavas were in the forest and did not worship
Purushottama month. So now you are suffering. You have been following the
ritualistic principles given to you by Vyasadeva, but unless you worship
Purushottama month you cannot perform pure devotional service to Me."
Lord Sri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical
event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth,
Draupadi was the daughter of a great Brahmana Sage called Medhavi. Her mother
died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father.
Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her
father was not interested in arranging her marriage. Seeing her other
girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a
very miserable way. In the meantime, her father passed away from this material
world while uttering the sacred name of Hari.
"This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage,
Durvasa Muni, appeared in her ashram shortly after her father's death. Seeing
the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped
him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage. When he expressed his
pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him.
Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to
speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything Â- past, present and future.
I have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents
have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and
therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.
Sage Durvasa began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most
auspicious Purushottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to
Lord Sri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can
become completely sinless. This Purushottama month is more glorious than all
other months, including Kartik month. The glories of all other months is not
even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purushottama month. The merit of
a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of
taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a
person who takes a bath in the Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati enters Leo.
If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krishna during this month, all your miseries will go away. You will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice. Please do not forget to worship the forthcoming Purushottama month very sincerely."
After speaking these words, Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the
young brahmani did not believe in his words; rather she became angry and
started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month,
which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months
like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha? I cannot believe your words. You are trying
to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of
pious activity."
Hearing these words of the brahmana girl, Durvasa became very angry, his whole
body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless
condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself.
Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unintelligent one, I am not going to curse you
because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless
condition. Being and ignorant child, you cannot understand the shastrik
conclusion. I am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at
the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purushottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of
your offensive words." The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to
perform his service for Lord Narayana.
Lord Sri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that
place the brahmana girl [Druapadi in her previous birth] lost all of her
opulences in a moment. Being an offender to Purushottama month, her body began
to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided
to worship Lord Shiva who is known as Ashutosh, one who is very easily pleased.
This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to pleas Lord
Shiva, the husband of Parvati. She continued her austerities for nine thousand
years. In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire
and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold
water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord
Shankara then appeared before the brahmana girl because he was pleased by her
worship and austerities. When Lord Shiva appeared before the girl in his
spiritual form, she immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord
Shiva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look
beautiful. Seeing Lord Shiva in front of her, she started to worship him in her
mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.
Being very pleased with the girl, Lord Shiva said, "Oh performer of austerity,
all good fortune to you. Now please ask some boon from me. I am pleased with
you. I shall grant whatever you want."
Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Shiva, the girl said, "Oh friend of
the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me a husband." Repeatedly
speaking the same words, "Give me a husband," five times, the girl then fell
silent. Then Lord Shiva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five
times, and so you will get five husbands."
Hearing Lord Shiva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord,
it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words." Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, "That is impossible for me.”
What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your
next life. Previously you offended Purushottama month by not following the kind
advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is no difference between the
body of Durvasa and mine. All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the
great saints like Narada, worship this Purushottama month in accord with the
order of Lord Sri Krishna. A devotee of Purushottama month achieves all good
fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dham,
the abode of Lord Sri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purushottama
month, you will get five husbands in your next life."
The girl become very remorseful, but Lord Shiva immediately disappeared from
the place. After Lord Shiva's departure the young brahmani became very morose
and fearful about her future life. In this way, after few days, the girl left
her body by the arrangement of providence.
Lord Sri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada
had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth. She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rishi has now become famous in the world as Draupadi. She is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed the Purushottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Sri Krishna] and took My shelter. Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purushottama month. A person who blasphemes Purushottama month will never attain good fortune. This Purushottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purushottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you."
Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way, Lord Sri Krishna then left
that place for Dwaraka.
After some time, when Purushottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhisthira
reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Sri
Krishna. All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They
worshipped Purushottama Sri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month.
From the merit they achieved by performing Purushottama vrata, they regained
their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to
Godhead by the grace of Lord Sri Krishna.
An intelligent person should engage himself in hearing Krishna katha from a
pure soul. In this way, one should always meditate on Krishna and discuss His
pastimes with other devotees. He should take rest thinking of Lord Sri Krishna
within his heart. If one is a grihastha, he should perform his household duties
in a truthful and peaceful way. He should not commit violence to others and
should be merciful towards saintly people as well as to the poor. Protection of
animals, truthful speech, mercifulness, and nonviolence are some of the
important principles a grihastha should follow.
Suta Goswami then continued to relate this discussion between Lord Narayana and Naradji to the sages of Naimisaranya. He said, "O brahmanas, the great sage
Narada Muni became very pleased by hearing all about Purushottama month from Lord Narayana. He paid his obeisances again and again to Him and began to
speak, "Oh this Purushottama month is the best of all months, it is the best of
all kinds of vratas and austerities. Even if one just hears the glories of Purushottama month faithfully, he will achieve devotional service to the
Supreme Lord Purusottama, and all of his sinful reactions will be immediately
nullified. One who performs Purushottama vrata and worships Purushottama month properly will achieve unlimited merit and thus attain Goloka.
Narada Muni then told Lord Narayana, "O Lord, now I am fully satisfied and my
heart and mind are completely satisfied. All glories to You!"
After so explaining these glories of Purushottama month, Srila Suta Gosvami
asked permission from the assembled sages to take their leave, bathe in the
Ganges, and perform his other regular duties. They gratefully agreed, and he
then paid them his humble obesiances and went to the Ganges. The sages of
Naimisaranya then spoke among themselves, "Oh, this sacred Purushottama month is the most glorious, and its history is ancient. It is so merciful that it
fulfills all of a devotee's desires just like a desire tree. How glorious is Purushottama month!"
Simplified
Recommended Worship for the Purushottama month:
1.. Establish the Deity of Sri Sri Radha Krishna in your home and worship
Them with love and devotion.
1.. Establish the Deity of Sri Sri Radha Krishna in your home and worship
Them with love and devotion.
2.. Offer daily puja by chanting the Mahamantra:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama,
Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
3.. Study Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad gita, especially Chapter Fifteen,
Purushottama Yoga.
4.. Daily offer a ghee lamp to Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
5.. Give charity to qualified Brahmanas. Engage in Go Seva and distribute
prasadam.
6.. Bathe in the holy rivers and associate with saintly devotees.
The Purushottama maas has fallen this year from: 18th August 2012 to 16th August
2012.
Please
observe it to the extent you can. Thank You.
*************
The following is the Ekadasi in the middle of Purusottama adika masa
******************
Padmini
Ekadasi - Adik Maas Ekadasi
Yudhishthira Maharaja said, Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the extra, leap year month? How does one observe it properly? Please narrate all this to me.
The Supreme Lord, Lord Sri Krishna, replied the meritorious Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the extra month of leap year is called Padmini. It is very auspicious. The fortunate soul who observes it with great determination and faith will return toVishnu Loka. This extra-month Ekadasi is as powerful as I am in nullifying sins. Even four-headed Lord Brahma cannot glorify it sufficiently. Long ago Lord Brahma told Narada about this liberating, sin-removing Ekadasi.
Lord Krishna said: Oh king, please listen carefully as I narrate to you the process of fasting on Padmini Ekadasi, which is rarely done even by great sages.
One should begin his fast on the Dashami, the day before Ekadasi, by not eating any Uraddal, pink dal, chickpeas, spinach, honey, or sea salt, and also by not dining in homes of others or off bell-metal plates. These eight things should be avoided. One should eat only once on the Dashami, sleep on the ground, and remain celibate. On Ekadasi the devotee should rise early in the morning but should brush his teeth. Then he should thoroughly bathe - in a place of pilgrimage, if possible. While chanting sacred hymns from the Vedas, he should smear his body with cow dung mixed with clay, sesame-seed paste, kusha grass, and the powder of Amalaki fruits. Then the devotee should take another thorough bath, after which he should chant the following prayers: "Oh sacred clay, you have been created by Lord Brahma, purified by Kashyapa Muni, and lifted by Lord Krishna in His form as Varaha, the boar incarnation. Oh clay, please purify my head, eyes, and other limbs. Oh clay, I offer my obeisance unto you. Kindly purify me so I may worship the Supreme Lord, Sri Hari". "Oh cow-dung, you posses medicinal and antiseptic qualities because you have come directly from the stomach of our universal mother, the cow. You can purify the entire planet Earth. Please accept my humble obeisance’s and purify me". "Oh Amalakifruits, please accept my humble obeisance’s. You have taken your birth from the saliva of Lord Brahma, and thus by your very presence the entire planet is purified. Kindly cleanse and purify my bodily limbs". "Oh Supreme Lord Vishnu, Oh God of the gods, Oh master of the universe, Oh holder of the conch, disc, club, and lotus, please allow me to bathe in all the holy places of pilgrimage."
Reciting these excellent prayers, chanting mantras to Lord Varuna, and meditating on all the places of pilgrimage located on the banks of the Ganges, one should bathe in whatever body of water is at hand. Then, Oh Yudhishthira, the devotee should rub his body, thus purifying his mouth, back, chest, arms, and waist as a prelude to worshipping the Supreme Lord, who wears brilliant yellow garments and gives pleasure to all creatures. By so doing, the devotee will destroy all his sins. Afterwards, he should chant the sacred Gayatri mantra, offer oblations to his forefathers, and then enter a Vishnu temple to worship Lord Narayana, the husband of the Goddess of Fortune, Laxmi-devi.
If possible, the devotee should then fashion Deities of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna or Shiva and Parvati out of gold and offer them nice devotional worship. He should fill a copper or clay pot with pure water mixed with scents, and then he should cover the pot with a cloth lid and a gold or silver lid, in this way preparing an Asana upon which the Radha-Krishna or Shiva-Parvati murthis may sit for worship. According to capacity, the devotee should then worship these murtis with fragrant incense, a bright ghee lamp, and sandalwood paste along with camphor, musk, kumkum, and other scents, as well as selected aromatic flowers like white lotuses and other seasonal blooms, and also very nicely prepared foods. On this special Ekadasi the devotees should dance and sing ecstatically before the Deity. He should avoid prajalpa (talking unnecessarily of ordinary, mundane conversational topics) at all costs and should not talk to or touch lowborn persons (untrained persons habituated to low acts) or a woman in her menstrual period, or others so absorbed. On this day he should be especially careful to speak the truth and certainly not criticize anyone before the Deity of Lord Vishnu, the Brahmins, or the spiritual master. Rather, with other devotees he should be absorbed in listening to Vaishnavas read the glories of Lord Vishnu from the Puranas. One should not drink or even touch water to his lips on this Ekadasi, and one who is unable to perform this austerity should drink only water or milk. Otherwise, the fast is considered broken. One should remain awake that Ekadasi night, singing and playing musical instruments for the transcendental pleasure of the Supreme Person.
During the first quarter of the Ekadasi night the devotee should offer some coconut meat to his worshippable Deity (Isthadeva), during the second part he should offer soothing belfruit, during the third part an orange, and as the night draws to a close some betel nut. Remaining awake during the first part of the Ekadasi night bestows on the devotee /sadhaka the same merit as that gained by performing the Agnistoma-yajna. Staying awake during the second part of the night bestows the same merit as that gained by performing aVajapeya-yajna. Stay awake during the third part gives one the same merit as that attained by performing an Ashvamedha-yajna. And one who remains awake throughout the night receives all of the above mentioned merit, as well as the grand merit of having performed a RajasUrya-yajna. Thus there is no better fasting day in the year than Padmini Ekadasi. Nothing can compare to it as a giver of merit, whether it be a fire sacrifice, knowledge, education, or austerity. Indeed, whoever observes this sacred Ekadasi fast receives all the merit attained by bathing in all the places of pilgrimage in the world.
After remaining awake throughout the night, the devotee should bathe at sunrise and then worship Me nicely. He should then feed a qualified Brahmin and respectfully give him the Deity of Lord Keshava and the pot filled with pure scented water. This gift will guarantee the devotee success in this life and liberation in the hereafter.
Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as you have requested, I have described the rules and regulations, as well as the benefits, regarding the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the extra, leap-year month. Fasting on this Padmini day bestows merit equal to that gained by fasting on all other Ekadasis. The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the extra month, which is known as Parama Ekadasi, is as powerful at removing sin as this one, Padmini. Now please listen to Me carefully as I narrate to you a fascinating account connected with this sacred day. Pulastya Muni once recited this history to Naradji.
Pulastya Muni once had occasion to rescue the ten headed demon Ravana from the prison of Kartavirya, and upon hearing of this event Narada Muni asked his friend, Oh greatest of sages, since this Ravana defeated all the demigods, including Lord Indradev, how could Kartavirya defeat Ravana, who was so skilled in battle?
Pulastya Muni replied, Oh great Narada, during the Tretayuga Kartavirya (Kartavirya’s father) took birth in the Haihaya dynasty. His capital city was Mahishmati, and he had one thousand Queens, whom he loved very dearly. None of them, however, was able to give him the son he wanted so badly. He performed sacrifices and worshipped the devas(demigods) and forefathers (pitris), but due to the curse of some sage he was unable to beget a son - and without a son, a king cannot enjoy his kingdom.
King Kartavirya carefully considered his plight and then decided to perform severe austerities to achieve his goal. Thus he donned a loincloth made of bark, grew matted locks, and turned over the reins of his kingdom to his ministers. One of his queens, Padmini - who was born in the Ikshvaku dynasty, who was the best of all women, and who was the daughter of King Harishchandra - saw the king leaving. She felt that, since she was a chaste wife, her duty was to follow in the footsteps of her beloved husband. Removing all the regal ornaments from her beautiful body and donning but one piece of cloth, she thus followed her husband into the forest.
At last Kartavirya reached the summit of Mount Gandhamadana, where he performed severe austerities and penance’s for ten thousand years, meditating and praying to Lord Gadadhara, who wields a club. But still he did not get a son. Seeing her dear husband waste away to mere skin and bone, Padmini thought of a solution to the problem. She went to the chaste Anasuya. With great reverence, Padmini said, ‘Oh great lady, my dear husband, Kartavirya, has been performing austerities for the last ten thousand years, but Lord Krishna (Keshava), who alone can remove one's past sins and present difficulties, has not yet become pleased with him. Oh most fortunate one, please tell me a fast day we can observe and thus please the Supreme Lord with our devotion, so much so that He will bless me with a nice son who will later rule the world as emperor.’
Upon hearing the appealing words of Padmini, who was very chaste and deeply devoted to her husband, the great Anasuya replied to her in a very cheerful mood: 'Oh beautiful, lotus-eyed lady, usually there are twelve months in a year, but after every thirty-two months an extra month is added, and the two Ekadasis that occur during this month are called Padmini Ekadasi and Parama Ekadasi. They fall on the Dvadasiis of the light and dark part of the month, respectively. You should fast on these days and remain awake throughout the night. If you do so, the Supreme Lord, Sri Hari, will bless you with a son.
Oh Narada, in this way Anasuya, the daughter of the sage Kardama Muni, explained the potency of these special Ekadasis. Hearing this, Padmini faithfully followed the instructions to fulfill her desire for a son. Padmini fasted completely, even from water, and remained awake all night, chanting the glories of God and dancing in ecstasy. Lord Keshava thus became most pleased with her devotion and appeared before her, riding on the back of the great Garuda. The Lord said, Oh beautiful one, you have greatly pleased Me by fasting on the special Ekadasi of the extra month of Purushottama. Please ask Me for a benediction.
Hearing these sublime words from the overseer of the entire universe, Padmini offered the Supreme Lord devotional prayers and asked Him for the boon her husband desired. Lord Keshava (Krishna) was moved to reply, Oh gentle lady, I am very happy with you, for there is no month dearer to Me than this, and the Ekadasis that occur during this month are the most dear to Me of all Ekadasis. You have followed My devotee Anasuya's instructions perfectly, and therefore I shall do what will please you. You and your husband will have the desired son that you wish.'
The Lord, who removes the distress of the world, then spoke to King Kartavirya: Oh King, please ask of Me any boon that will fulfill your heart's desire, for your dear wife has pleased Me greatly with her devotional fasting.
The king was very happy to hear this. Naturally he asked for the son he had desired for so long: Oh master of the universe, Oh killer of the Madhu-demon, kindly grant me a son who will never be conquered by the demigods, human beings, snakes, demons, or hobgoblins, but whom only You can defeat. The Supreme Lord immediately replied, ‘So be it!’ and disappeared.
The king became so very pleased with his wife and returned to his palace in her company. Padmini soon became pregnant, and the mighty-armed Kartavirya appeared as her son. He was the mightiest person in all the three worlds, and thus even the ten-headed Ravana could not defeat him in battle. Except for Lord Narayana, who holds a club, a disc, and other symbols in His hands no one could overcome him. By the merit that resulted from his mother's strict and faithful observance of Padmini Ekadasi, he could defeat even the dreaded Ravana. This is not at all surprising, Oh Naradji, for Kartavirya was the fulfillment of the benediction of the Supreme Lord. With these words, Pulastya Muni departed.
The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, concluded, 'Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as you have enquired from Me, I have explained to you the power of this special Ekadasi. Oh best of kings, whoever observe this fast will surely attain to Vishnu Loka.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Padmini Ekadasi, the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the extra, leap-year month of Purushottama, from the Skanda Purana.
1)
According to the Scriptures, in the days of fasting should avoid salt
because Agastya Muni one day drank the ocean and expelled as urine.
Instead, the salt you can take.
2)
Anasuya and the wife of the great sage Atri and mother of Dattatreya,
the three-headed form of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva together.
********************
The following is the Ekadasi at the end of Purusottama adika masa
****************
Parama
Ekadasi - Adik Maas
Sri
Yudhishthira Maharaja said, Oh Supreme Lord, what is the name and
character of that Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight
(krishna paksha) of the extra, leap year month of
Purushottama. Also, Oh master of all the universes, what is the
process for observing it properly? Kindly narrate all of this to me?
The
Supreme Lord, Lord Sri Krishna, replied, Oh Yudhishthira, this
meritorious day is called Parama Ekadasi. It bestows the great
benediction of an enjoyable life and ultimate liberation, release
from birth and death. The process for observing it is similar to that
for observing the Ekadasi that occurs during the light part of this
month of Kartika. That is to say, on this Ekadasi one should worship
Me – Lord Narotram, the best of all living beings, with full love
and devotion. In this connection I will now tell you a wonderful
history, just as I heard it from the great sage in the city of
Kampilya.
Once
a very pious Brahmin named Sumedha resided in Kampilya with his wife,
Pavitra, who was extremely chaste and devoted to her husband. On
account of having committed some sin in his previous life, Sumedha
was without any money or food grains, and even though he begged many
people for food, he could not obtain any substantial amount. He
hardly had adequate food, clothing, or shelter for himself and his
beautiful young wife, who was of such excellent character that she
continued to serve Sumedha faithfully despite their poverty. When
guests would come to their home, Pavitra mataji would give them her
own food, and although she often went hungry, her beautiful,
lotuslike face never faded. This fasting made her weak, but her
affection for Sumedha remained unbreakable.
Seeing
all this, and lamenting his bad luck, Sumedha one day said to
Pavitra, My dear wife, Oh most beautiful one, I beg alms from the
rich but receive scarcely a scrap. What am I to do? What possible
relief is there for our plight? Where should I go for relief? Oh most
obedient and loving wife, without enough wealth, household affairs is
never successful. Therefore please permit me to go abroad and attain
some wealth. If I make such an effort, I shall certainly obtain
whatever fortune I am destined to enjoy. Without making some endeavor
a person cannot satisfy his desires or meet his needs. Thus wise men
have said that enthusiastic endeavor is always auspicious. One who
endeavors enthusiastically will certainly attain success, but one who
merely says ‘I accept my lot in life’ is a lazy man.
Upon
hearing this from her husband as he spoke these words, Pavitra joined
her palms and, her eyes brimming with tears, spoke to him with great
respect and affection: 'I think there is no one greater or more
learned than you, my dear. One who, though in misery, is interested
in the welfare of others speaks just as you have. However, the
scriptures state that whatever wealth a person attains in his life is
due to his having given charity in previous lives, and that if one
has not given charity in previous lives, then even though he may sit
atop a mound of gold as big as Mount Sumeru, he will still remain
poor.
Transcendental
knowledge, spiritual education, satisfying wealth, and pleasing
family members are acquired by a person who has given profuse
charity. Whatever good a person does returns to him many folds.
Whatever
is predestined by Viddhata, the fortune-maker, will
surely happen. One's so called good education, skill, and enthusiasm
will not necessarily guarantee to bring one success." Whatever
charity a person gives in the form of education, money, fertile land
and the like is returned to him in a future lifetime. We gain what we
have given, when given with a good heart. Indeed, whatever the Lord
of destiny, the creator, has written as one's fortune will certainly
come to pass. No one attains any wealth without having given in
charity in his previous life. Oh best of the Brahmins, since we are
now poor, in our previous lives neither you nor I must have given
any/sufficient charity to worthy persons. Therefore, Oh gracious
husband, you should remain here with me. Without you I cannot live
even a moment.
Bereft
of her husband, a woman is not welcomed by her father, mother,
brother, father-in-law, or any other family members. Everyone will
say, ‘You have lost your husband; you are bad luck/fortune
personified!’ In this way I shall be criticized severely!
A
chaste woman always thinks that pleasing her spiritually situated
husband is her heavenly pleasure, utmost duty, and greatest
austerity. Whatever is destined, we shall obtain in due course of
time and enjoy here in perfect happiness.'
Hearing
these plaintive words from his wife, Sumedha decided to remain in
their native village. One day the great sage Kaundinya arrived at
their place, and upon seeing him the Brahmin Sumedha and his wife
stood up before him and then offered him their respectful obeisance.
With his head bowed, Sumedha welcomed him: 'We are very fortunate to
behold you here today, Oh wisest of sages. My life has become
successful, and I am much obliged to you.
Sumedha
offered Kaundinya Muni a comfortable seat and highly praised his
austerities and learning. "Just by having your darshan today,"
said Sumedha, "I have become very fortunate." The poor
Brahmin couple fed the sage as sumptuously as they could afford to
according to their means, and afterwards Pavitra asked the mendicant,
‘Oh most learned one, what process can we follow to be relieved of
our poverty? How can a person who has not given anything in charity
in his previous life get a good family, much wealth, and a fine
education in this life? My husband wants to leave me here and go
abroad to beg alms, but I have earnestly prayed to him to stay here
with me. I humbly told him that if one lacks wealth in the present
life, it is because of not having given sufficient charity in
previous lifetimes. And so he has consented to remain here. It is
only due to my great fortune that you have so mercifully come here
today. Now we are certain to see the end of our poverty very soon.’
Oh
best of the Brahmans, please tell us how we can be free of this
perpetual misery brought on by poverty. Oh merciful one, kindly
describes some means - a place of pilgrimage we may visit, a day of
fasting we may observe, or an austerity we may perform - by which our
ill fortune will end forever.
Hearing
this sincere supplication from the patient lady, the great sage
Kaundinya reflected silently for a moment and then said, There is a
fast day very dear to the Supreme Lord, Lord Hari. Fasting on this
day nullifies all kinds of sins and removes all miseries caused by
poverty. This fast day, which occurs during the dark part (Krishna
paksha) of the extra, leap-year month, is known as Parama
Ekadasi. It is the topmost day of Lord Vishnu, hence the name Parama.
This extra month (Purushottam Maas), dark fortnight Ekadasi
bestows all the necessities of life, such as money and food grains,
and at last gives liberation/release. When the evening of this day
comes, one should begin singing the glories of the Lord and dancing
in ecstasy, and one should continue through the entire night.
This
holy fast was once observed faithfully by Lord Kuvera (the treasurer
of the devas). Also, king Harishchandra fasted on this Ekadasi after
his dear wife and son had been sold, and the king was able to get
them back. Thereafter he ruled his kingdom with no further
impediments. Therefore, Oh broad-eyed lady, you also should observe
the sacred fast of Parama Ekadasi, following all the appropriate
rules and regulations and remaining awake all night.'"
Lord
Sri Krishna continued, Oh Yudhishthira, son of Pandu, in this way
Kaundinya Muni mercifully and affectionately instructed Pavitra about
the Parama Ekadasi fast. Then he said to Sumedha, ‘On the Dvadasii,
the day after Ekadasi, you should vow to observe Pancharatriki
fasting according to all the rules and regulations. After taking a
bath early in the morning, you and your good wife, along with both
your parents and hers, should fast for five days according to your
ability. Then you will all become eligible to return home, to the
abode of Lord Vishnu.
A
person who simply makes use of only one seat during these five days
goes to the heavenly planets. Whoever feeds qualified Brahmins nicely
on these five days has in effect fed all the demigods, all human
beings, and even all the demons. Whoever donates a pot of drinking
water to a twice born Brahmin during this five-day period will gain
merit equal to that gained by donating the entire planet in charity.
Anyone who gives a learned person a pot filled with sesame seeds
resides in heaven for as many years as there are seeds in the pot.
One who donates a pot filled with golden ghee will surely go to the
abode of the sun god after fully enjoying the pleasures of this
earthly planet. Whoever remains celibate during these five-days will
attain celestial happiness and enjoy with the maidens of Indraloka.
Therefore both of you - Sumedha and Pavitra- should fast during these
five days of Pancharatrika in order to be rewarded with ample grains
and wealth for the rest of your lives on this planet. The spiritual
world will be your abode thereafter.
Hearing
this sublime advice, the Brahmin couple, Sumedha and Pavitra,
properly observed the Parama Ekadasi and the fast of Pancharatrika,
and very soon thereafter they beheld a handsome prince approaching
them from the royal palace. On the orders of Lord Brahma, the prince
gave them a beautiful, exquisitely furnished house and invited them
to live in it. Praising their austerity and patience, he also gave
them an entire village for their livelihood. Then he returned to the
palace. Thus Sumedha and his wife enjoyed all kinds of facilities in
this world and at last went to the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Anyone
who observes a fast on Parama Ekadasi and also the fast of
Pancharatrika is freed from all his sins, and after enjoying life he
returns to Vishnuloka, as did the Brahmin Sumedha and his faithful
wife, Pavitra. It is impossible, Oh Yudhishthira, to calculate the
extent of the merit one obtains by fasting on Parama Ekadasi, for
such an observance is equal to bathing in places of pilgrimage such
as Pushkara Lake and the Ganges river, giving cows in charity, and
performing all sorts of other religious activities. One who fasts on
this day has also completed the offerings of oblations to his
forefathers in Gaya. He has, in effect, fasted on all other
auspicious days.
As
in the social order the Brahmin are considered the best, as amongst
four-legged creatures the cow is best, and as among demigods Lord
Indradev is the best, so among all months the extra month of
leap-year is the best. The Pancharatrika fast - the fast of five days
(panch = five, ratri = nights) in the extra, leap year month - is
said to remove all kinds of abominable sins. But the Pancharatriki
fast, together with the fasts of Parama and Paramai Ekadasi, destroys
all a person's sins. If a person is unable to fast on these days, he
should observe the fasts during the extra month according to his
ability. A person who, having received a human birth, does not take a
proper bath during this extra month and then observes these Ekadasis,
which are very dear to Lord Hari, commits suicide and suffers. The
rare human birth is meant for accumulating merit and at last
achieving liberating release from this material world. Therefore one
should by all means observe fasting on this auspicious Parama
Ekadasi.
Lord
Sri Krishna concluded, Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as you have
requested, I have described to you the wonderful merit one can attain
by fasting on the Ekadasi named Parama, which occurs during the dark
part of the extra, leap-year month. You should observe this fast if
at all possible.
Whoever, after taking a proper bath, observes a fast on these two extra-month Ekadasis will go to heaven and finally attain to the abode of Sri Vishnu, and as he travels there he will be praised and prayed to by all the demigods.
Whoever, after taking a proper bath, observes a fast on these two extra-month Ekadasis will go to heaven and finally attain to the abode of Sri Vishnu, and as he travels there he will be praised and prayed to by all the demigods.
Thus
ends the narration of the glories of Parama Ekadasi, the Ekadasi that
occurs during the dark fortnight of the extra, leap-year month, from
the Skanda Purana.
***THUS
ENDS THE IMPORTANCE OF EKADASI FAST ***
Purusottama Adhika Masa
Technical infoNotes from H.H. Mahanidhi Swami
Puranic History
Technical info
Every two (sometimes three) years in Vedik Sidereal astrology there is a time compensation month added to correct, and adjust the time movements. This is something similar to the western Leap Year.
This month is considered to be very auspicious (adhika = best or greatest), as Vishnu Himself appearing in a Calendrical Form to rectify our astrological and astronomical calculations.
The astronomical parameters differ only slightly in different astronomical texts. For our present discussions, these differences will not matter much and so we follow the Suryasiddhanta. According to this text,
1 Lunar year = 29.5305 X 12 = 354.366 days
1 Solar year = 365.2587 days.
Thus one lunar year lags behind the solar year and one lunation has to be added after 3 years to fit the lunar year into the solar one. Astronomers have called this intercalary lunation as adhika month, and have asserted that this month is to be added to the lunar year.
Adhika (Purushottam) Maase Since the calendar is based on the phases of the Moon, the transits take 354 days, 8 hours and 34.28 seconds. This creates a difference of 10 days, 21 hours and 35.16 seconds from the actual solar year (365 days, 6 hours, 9.54 seconds) When the accumulated difference exceeds 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.865 seconds, an adjustment is made with an extra month (Adhika Maas), which carries the name of the previous or the next month, depending on the proximity of the month. Normally, seven extra months occur in 19 years.
Astronomical & Astrological technicalities explained regarding origin of, and purpose of Adhika mase, and also symbolically what the Adhika represents.
----
Notes By Mahanidhi Swami
- Purushottama adhika masa vratas from Mahanidhi Swami, submitted by Mahamantra (das) ACBSP (Vrindavan - IN) [14243]
...this may be useful to you or yours Recommended Vows for Purusottama Month
(2001 18 September-16 October) The main vrata is to worship Radha Krishna Yugala
***Rise Brahma-muhurta DAILY (bm means one . hours before sunrise til one
hour; if sunrise at 6am then bm starts 4:30 goes to about 5 a.m.) Means
taking rest EARLY night before.
***take vow to REMAIN TRUTHFUL for whole month.
***Careful not to BLASPHEME any devotee,sastra, brahmin, cows, saints, or one observing the Purusottama Vrata.
1.fixed increased chanting 25, 32, 64,128 rounds daily!
2. hearing hari katha (Study Krishna Book (chapters dealing with Vraja lila and Krishna meeting gopis at kuruksetra) Srimad Bhagavatam & Chaitanya Charitamrita specifically desc. Radha Krishna guna and lila) and/or speaking daily hari-katha
3. worshiping Radha Krishna, which means, unless you have deity with = you, then daily offer fresh first class lotus or rose plus tulasi = garlands to Radhe Shyam photo or painting of Radha-Govinda Yugal.
*if worship Salagrama (could apply to Radha-Govinda also) offer 100,000 tulasi leaves and achieve "unlimited merit beyond the powers of Brahma to describe."
4. Sing bhajans and kirtans specifically glorifying Yugala Kishora. Such as Jaya Radha Madhava; Radhe jaya jaya madhava dayite; radha-krishna prana mora; Radha-krpa kataksa (in back our radhakunda book or in Giti Guccha song book; also sing Nandanandana Astakam (also in Giti Guccha song book); jaya radha madana mohan.. sanatana prana dhana he; jaya madhava madana murari radhe shyam shyama shyam; radha-krsna bol bol bolo re sobhai; vrndavana ramya sthana; tulasi arotik prayers with deep prayer of longing and meditation;
5. MUST OFFER Daily GHEE (pure cow's ghee only) lamp to Radha-Krishna Deity or photo.
6. Bathe DAILY in Yamuna around sunrise. Or if not in holy land then pour drops on head from bottle of Radha-kunda water or Yamuna after offering obeisances and prayers to Radha-kunda or Yamuna.
7.Eating--Fast till noon and eat only fruits or just vegetables without any beans or grains. (like ekadasi preps for one month!) once a day if you can. Or just eat mahaprasadam, full to neck ONCE A DAY. Take a vow according to your capacity to follow, and in no condition can one break his vow in the middle of the month.
HOW TO BREAK THE PURUSOTTAMA VRATA AFTER ONE MONTH?
1. Worship Radha-Govinda and chant this mantra: "O Supreme Lord! O Sanatana! O Purusottama! O Lord Hari! I offer my obeisances unto You. May You and Your beloved Srimati Radhika please accept my offerings. I offer my repeated obeisances unto Radha-Syamasundara, who wears effulgent yellow garments on His beautiful body."
2. Offer pushpanjali and dandavats to Radhe-Syama.
3. Give charity to 3,5,7,9, 11 brahmanas to best of your ability.
**Best charity to give Srimad Bhagavatam to qualified Vaisnava devotee brahmana. This charity will deliver all you forefathers to Goloka dhama and the association of Lord Purusottam!
***Other recommended gifts: new clothes, gold (rupees, bucks, pounds), two pairs of new shoes
4. Feed brahmanas with prasadam
SPECIAL ACTIONS AT END OF MONTH:
1. If not bathed in sacred waters---nullify reaction by donating milk and yogurt to brahmanas
2. If eat rice, wheat, fruits, oil, or ghee during P.M.-give charity to brahmanas (as mentioned above)
3. If eat on leaf plates for month-then feed brahmanas with ghee and sugar
4. Not cut hair and nails for P.M. -give mirror to one brahmana.
IF BROKE ANY RULES DURING PURUSOTTAMA MONTH:
Must feed brahmanas with different kinds of sweet juice. (sugar cane, oj, grape, etc)
BENEFITS OF OBSERVING PURUSOTTAMA VRATA
1. All the holy places in the world come to reside in your body.
2. One who observes Purusottama Month with faith and devotion will go back home, Back To Godhead to serve Radha-Govinda eternally in Goloka Vrndavana at the end of his life!
These are the recommended vratas described in
Padma Purana Purusottama = Mahatyam. We are sure Prabhupada will help
you honor this month nicely.