The founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, His Divine Grace  Abhaya Charanavinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, was born on 1st September 1896 on the day of Nandotsav at Toliganj, Kolkata. His mother Rajni Devi and father Gour Mohan De named him Abhay Charan. Shri Gour Mohan De was a middle-class cloth merchant belonging to Subarna Banik Samaj.

Fortune teller Prophecy of Spreading Devotion Across the World

After the birth of Abhay Charan, his father called the astrologer at home to get the horoscope made. Whatever that astrologer said was 100% correct. He foretold that Abhay would go across the sea at the age of 70, spread devotion, and build 108 temples.

The same type of prophecy was also made by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of Yugadharma Sankirtana Yagya. He said a devotee of his commander would spread this Sankirtana movement to every town and village around the globe.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, another distinguished pure devotee of the Gaudiya Vaishnava guru-disciplic succession, also predicted that someone would soon come to propagate the voice of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to the whole world. Soon, Harinama Sankirtana will be sung in the streets of different cities of the world as a whole. And the day will also arrive when the good creatures of England, Germany, France, Russia, and several other countries will be seen dancing in Harinama Sankirtana with Gaudiya flags, Mridanga and Kartal in Sri Mayapur Dham.

Srila Prabhupada Journey to the path of devotion

Shri Gour Mohan De had taught Abhay to practice the aspects of pure bhakti since his childhood. He used to take Abhay to the nearby Sri Sri Radha Govind Temple, and on the insistence, he also organized a Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath for the children in the courtyard of his house. When Abhay was eight years old, he started going to school, and gradually he started becoming proficient in the English language. 

At the age of 16, Abhay had countered the sad demise of his mother. His mother, Rajni Devi, passed away when Abhay was just 16. Due to this, there were some hardships and ups and downs in Abhay’s life, but his father consoled him by saying that whatever Supreme Lord does, he does it for good. Therefore, Supreme Lord would have a better plan for this. So, have faith in the Supreme Lord and depend on Him only.

At that time, it was a time of significant change for the whole world. The First World War was on the flare-up. Shri Gour Mohan De was not in favour of sending his son abroad for higher education. Then at the age of twenty, Abhay enrolled in the well-known Scottish Church College in Kolkata.  He wanted to make Abhay a pure devotee, but for this, a Guru was needed in the form of a pure devotee. In college, Abhay took education in English and Sanskrit along with many other subjects.  At that time, Abhay was interested in participating in the Indian freedom struggle. He was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence and indigenous ideas and considered him as his ideal.

Meeting of Srila Prabhupada with his Guru

Seeing Abhay’s inclination towards nationalism, Shri Gour-Mohan De was very worried about making Abhay a pure devotee.  He wanted to know the prediction of that astrologer being turned into reality. With the passage of time in this process, Abhay got married to Radharani Devi.  Abhay didn’t have any unique attraction towards his wife, but his father told it to be a sign of the Lord’s grace because, in this way, he could stay away from worldly attachments.  At the same time, his friend introduced him to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Later, Abhay acknowledged him as his guru.

Amid the turmoil in the business and education, the death of Shri Gour Mohan De left a massive void in Abhay’s life. In 1932, he received formal Diksha (initiation) and was named Abhay Charanaravinda. Gradually, he devoted himself to obey the orders of his guru, and later the Abhay Charan became famous as Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami.

Established 108 Temples Across the World

At the age of seventy, he travelled abroad alone, even after two severe heart attacks, struggling with many personal and bodily difficulties, and proved the astrologer’s prediction to be correct, which was made in his childhood come true. He preached Krishna Bhakti while doing parikrama (circumambulating) the whole world fourteen times and established 108 temples.

Inspired by his pure and factual teachings, lakhs of young men and women gave up all kinds of distinctions and attachments and started adopting pure devotional service dedicated to Krishna.

Celebration of 125th advent anniversary of Srila Prabhupada

Today, Srila Prabhupada is the only credible and pure devotee in the entire world, whose commentaries on Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam are reaching the masses in more than eighty languages. As a result, enthusiasm and joy are sprinklings in the lives of millions of people by adopting pure Krishna Bhakti.

Devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is being promoted in every city and village through ISKCON, the organization established by him.

This year is extraordinary because this year will be the 125th advent anniversary of Srila Prabhupada. On 1st September, the 125th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada will be celebrated. And on this auspicious occasion, a coin of Rs.125 will be issued by the government. Various programs will be organized in the ISKCON temples established across the world to commemorate this.

All of you are also requested to go to the nearest ISKCON temple, take shelter from this great saint, and take inspiration from his life to make your life successful.

Hare Krishna!!

कार्तिक मास के अंतिम 5 दिन भीष्म पंचक या विष्णु पंचक के नाम से जाने जाते हैं। यह 5 दिवसीय व्रत उत्थान एकादशी तिथि से आरम्भ होता है और कार्तिक पूर्णिमा पर समाप्त होता है। हरि भक्ति विलास के अनुसार यदि कोई भक्त यह व्रत करने में सक्षम है, तो उसे भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की प्रसन्नता के लिए भीष्म-पंचक पर कुछ विशेष खाद्य पदार्थों से उपवास का पालन करना चाहिए। पद्म पुराण में कहा गया है कि जो भी भक्त इस ५ दिवसीय व्रत का पालन करते हैं, उन्हें इस तपस्या से आध्यात्मिक उन्नति एवं भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की शुद्ध भक्ति प्राप्त होती है।

कार्तिक मास के अंतिम पांच दिनों में यह व्रत पहले ऋषि वशिष्ठ, भृगु, गर्ग आदि द्वारा सत्ययुग में किया जाता था। अंबरीष महाराज ने यह व्रत किया और त्रेतायुग में अपने सभी राजसी सुखों का त्याग कर दिया।

भीष्म पंचक उपवास का पालन करने से व्यक्ति को चारों चतुर्मास उपवास का लाभ मिलता है यदि कोई उसका पालन करने में असमर्थ रहा हो। 

भीष्म पंचक का व्रत क्यों रखा जाता है?

भीष्म-पंचक मां गंगा एवं राजा शांतनु के पुत्र भीष्मदेव को समर्पित है। वह कुरु वंश में महान राजा भरत के वंशज पांडवों के ज्येष्ठ पितामह हैं। महाभारत एवं श्रीमद-भागवतम के अनुसार भीष्मदेव ने कुरु वंश का सिंघासन त्याग कर आजीवन ब्रह्मचारी रहने की प्रतिज्ञा की जिसका उन्होंने जीवनपर्यन्त पालन किया। गौड़ीय वैष्णव के अनुसार, भीष्मदेव कृष्णभावनामृत विज्ञान में बारह महाजन अधिकारियों में से एक के रूप में जाने जाते हैं। अपनी युवावस्था में उन्हें यह वरदान मिला था कि उनकी मृत्यु उनकी इच्छानुसार ही होगी।

महाभारत का युद्ध समाप्ति होने के जिस समय गंगा पुत्र भीष्म सूर्य के उत्तरायण होने की प्रतीक्षा में बाणों की शैया पर शयन कर रहे थे तब भगवान श्रीकृष्ण पांडवों के साथ उनके पास गए तथा युधिष्ठिर ने भीष्म पितामह से प्रार्थना की कि- हे पितामह, आप हमें राज्य चलाने संबंधी उपदेश देने की कृपा करें।

पद्म पुराण में कहा गया है कि जो भी भक्त कार्तिक मास के अंतिम 5 दिनों में इस व्रत का पालन करते हैं, वह जीवन में आध्यात्मिक उन्नति करते हैं एवं बड़े से बड़े पापों से मुक्त हो जाते हैं।

भीष्म पंचक उपवास

हरि भक्ति विलास में भीष्म पंचक व्रत में कुछ खाद्य पदार्थों से भगवान केशव की प्रसन्नता के लिए अपनी क्षमता और समर्पण के अनुसार उपवास पालन करने के लिए कहा गया है। भीष्म पंचक उपवास की 3 श्रेणियां हैं।

उपवास श्रेणी-1

पांच दिनों में से प्रत्येक दिन गाय के पांच उत्पादों को पंचगव्य के रूप में ग्रहण किया जाता है।

1. पहला दिन: गाय का गोबर (गोमाया)
2. दूसरा दिन: गोमूत्र (गोमूत्र)
3. तीसरा दिन: गाय का दूध (क्षीरा)
4. चौथा दिन: गाय का दही (दही)
5. पांचवां दिन: गाय के सभी उत्पाद मिश्रित (पंच-गव्य)

यदि उपवास की पहली श्रेणी आपके लिए संभव नहीं है तो आप फल, मेवा और जड़ ले सकते हैं जैसा दूसरी श्रेणी में वर्णित है।

उपवास श्रेणी-2

यदि कोई भक्त उपवास की पहली श्रेणी का पालन करने में असमर्थ हैं तो वह निम्नलिखित खाद्य पदार्थ ग्रहण कर सकते हैं-

आलू, शकरकंद, मूंगफली, सादा काजू, किशमिश, खजूर, केला कच्चा, मौसम्बी, संतरा, नाशपाती, सेब, चीकू, ताजा कसा हुआ नारियल, नारियल पानी। उपर्युक्त खाद्य पदार्थों को कच्चा, उबला या बेक किया जा सकता है। स्वाद के लिए समुद्री नमक का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।

इस श्रेणी में अमरूद, अनार, ककड़ी जैसे बहुत सारे बीजों वाले फल, दुग्ध उत्पाद एवं तेल का सेवन भी वर्जित है।

उपवास श्रेणी-3

यदि कोई भक्त उपवास की दूसरी श्रेणी का पालन करने में असमर्थ हैं, तो वह “हविश्य” ले सकते हैं जैसा कि निम्नलिखित पुराणों में संदर्भित है-

सन्दर्भ: पद्म पुराण, ब्रह्म खंड, अध्याय 23; स्कंद पुराण, विष्णु खंड, कार्तिक महात्म्य, अध्याय 32; गरुड़ पुराण, पूर्वा, खंड, अध्याय 123

श्री हरि-भक्ति-विलास में वर्णित हविश्य के लिए सामग्री (13.10-13) – हविश्य बनाने में निम्नलिखित सामग्री का उपयोग किया जा सकता है, जो इन वस्तुओं से बनी खिचड़ी की तरह है।

1. चावल
2. शुद्ध गाय का घी
3. गाय का दूध और मलाई
4. समुद्री नमक
5. कच्चा केला
6. गेहूं
7. नारियल पानी
8. फल (स्कंद पुराण, नागर खंड कहते हैं कि उन्हें एक छोटे से बीज के साथ होना चाहिए या केवल कुछ बीजों के साथ)
9. जड़ें
10. गन्ने से बने उत्पाद (गुड़ के अलावा अन्य पदार्थ)
11. पालक का काला साक
12. पिपली जड़ी बूटी

कार्तिक के महीने में हविश्य के हिस्से के रूप में निम्नलिखित अवयवों से बचना चाहिए:

1. मूंग दाल
2. तिल का तेल
3. बेटा-शाका
4. शष्टिका-शाका
5. मूली
6. जीरा
7. इमली

भीष्म पंचक के लिए निर्धारित अर्पण

गरुड़ पुराण के अनुसार भीष्म पंचक व्रत के दिनों में भक्तगण द्वारा भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के समक्ष  निम्नलिखित फूल अर्पित किए जाने चाहिए।

1. पहले दिन, भगवान के चरणों में पद्म (कमल) के फूल अर्पित करने चाहिए।
2. दूसरे दिन, भगवान की जाँघ पर बिल्वपत्र अवश्य अर्पित करना चाहिए।
3. तीसरे दिन, भगवान की नाभि में गंध (सुगंध) अर्पित करना चाहिए।
4. चौथे दिन, भगवान के कन्धों पर जावा का फूल अर्पित करना चाहिए।
5. पांचवें दिन, भगवान के सिर पर मालती का फूल अर्पित करना चाहिए।

Sri Krishna is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Similarly, Radharani is the source of all goddesses such as Laxmi Ji, Rukmini Ji and Satyabhama. She is the ultimate source who serve with endearment to the Supreme Lord in both the material and spiritual world. When in someone’s heart there is a flow of Krishna’s love, devotion and rasa then it becomes a shrine. When Triveni of love, devotion and rasa flows in someone’s heart, that gesture is known as Radha Bhava. This surpassing devotion and love for Krishna are known as Radha bhava in the heart.

Story Of Radharani’s Appearance-

The story is of when Nanda Baba and mother Yashoda lived in Nandgaon, and Vrishbhanu and mother kirtida Lived in Barsana. Both families were very close and intimate friends of each other. Both the couples were not blessed with a child at that time. So, Nandbaba and Maharaj vrishbhanu decided to settle at the bank of the holy river Yamuna. Yamuna Ji is very loving and kind. So, on staying close to her at the bank of river Yamuna, we will unquestionably be blessed with the child. So, in this way, Nandbaba got settled at the sacred land of Gokul and Maharaj Vrishabhanu at Rawal.

Later, Krishna appeared on Ashtami tithi of Bhadrapada month of Shukla Paksha. We celebrate that momentous day as Janmashtami. On Ashtami tithi of Bhadrapada month Vrishabhanu Maharaj went to take a dip at the pond during dawn which is known as Arunodaya Bela he noticed a dazzling light. That gratifying light was pleasing his eyes. When Sri Vrishabhanu went near that light, he saw those golden light rays coming from a glaring lotus. When he went close by, he noticed that the sparkling light was not coming from that bright golden lotus. It was coming from the utmost beautiful girl present inside it.

On watching that girl, Vrishabhanu Maharaj’s love strings were overflowing. Brahma Ji appeared at that time, and one prophecy occurred.

Prophecy – You did severe penance in previous births to get the internal potency of Supreme Lord Krishna in the form of a daughter.

Lord Brahma’s Utterance

Srimati Radharani is appearing as your daughter. So, you take Her to your house and do Her upbringing. On hearing this, Vrishabhanu Maharaj, being pleased, took her to his house. But after reaching home, he noticed that the girl neither opened her eyes nor spoke or listened to anything. He got upset.

Narad Muni’s word

Then Narad Muni comes there disguised and asks him to celebrate the appearance of Shri Ji herself on the attainment of Kanyaratna.

So, Vrishabhanu Maharaj arranged a grand ceremony to celebrate the appearance of his daughter. In that function, Lord Sri Krishna, Balrama, Mother Yashoda and Nanda Baba appeared. In this way, Nanda Maharaj has got Sri Krishna, and Vrishabhanu Maharaj has got Shri Ji.

Celebration of Radharani’s Appearance

People were playing instruments; All the guests were welcomed with scents, butter and mishri. People were singing a song, and boon companions were dancing, wearing new dresses. Everyone appeared to get a glimpse of Vrishabhanu’s daughter. All the guests were served various delectable dishes.

How Lord Krishna Met Srimati Radharani in the house of Vrishbhanu Maharaj

Everyone was indulged in their work. That time baby Krishna crawled and came near Radha rani. With the support of the cot, he stood near Radharani and touched her. As soon as he touched Radharani with his sacred hands, Radharani opened her eyes and started crying. On hearing Radharani’s screech, everyone spurted. Vrishabhanu Maharaj and Kirtida were delighted that their daughter could speak, see, and listen.

Conversation Between Lord Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani at Goloka

At Goloka Vrindavan Dham, Lord Sri Krishna said to Srimati Radharani :
Hey Sakhi, it’s time to appear on the earth. Radharani answered that if Sri Vrindavan Dham, Govardhan and Sri Yamuna Ji were not present, I don’t want to go there. On hearing this, Lord Krishna replied I knew it, so I already sent some part of Vrindavan Dham, Govardhan and Yamuna Ji together to the material world. So, you can stay there forever. Then Radharani replied I have one more issue to discuss. Until the time I get sight of your face, I will neither watch anything nor hear or say anything. So, she was waiting for Shri Krishna.

Real Purpose of Human Life

The main aim of our life is to surrender unto the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna’s lotus feet. Therefore, we should have dedication, concentration, determination to serve Lord Krishna and the best example is Radharani. Lord Sri Krishna himself came to this world 500 years ago to show the love and devotion of Radharani to people. To spread it, Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and propagate Harinam sankirtan.

According to Srimad Bhagavatam, in Kaliyuga, the best and easiest way to uplift humankind is Harinam sankirtan.

So, In this Radha Ashtami, let’s get a unique darshan of Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani. Along with it, adopt the maha-mantra which is itself given by the lord as an essential part of our life.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

There is nothing more important and influential than this maha-mantra given by Supreme Lord Sri Krishna itself. And to spread it for the benefit of people, He came to this world.

So, let’s chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra on this Radha Ashtami to get the blessings of the most loving, tender-hearted Radharani.

• Fasting till noon

Ashwin Shukla Dashami is known as Dusshera. It is one of the biggest festivals, also known as Dasahara, Dussehra, or Dashain. It is observed on the day of Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day of Navaratri. It is the occasion to glorify and rejoice in the victory of good over evil. On Dussehra, we burn effigies of Ravana outside in surroundings but nurture Ravana inside our hearts. That was Treta Yuga, where only one Ravana existed. Lord Rama assassinated him and acquired victory.

Types of People in Kalyuga

In Kalyuga, every human being has the mentality of Ravana inside. But, as we all know, two types of people exist in this universe- Sur and Asura. Those who worship the Lord are counted as Sur, and those who are not devotees or do not follow the Lord’s orders are considered Asura.

In different Yugas, Sura and Asura stayed in unalike places. In one Yuga, Sura lives on one planet, and Asura lives on another planet. Later on, Asura lived in one country and Sura in the other. But now the time has changed, Sura and Asura are present in every person concomitantly in this era. We all have Sura and Asura simultaneously in ourselves.

The nature and personality of a person totally depend on how strong and determined he is. The day we can kill the malicious, vicious behaviour, we can kill the Asura or Ravan from our selves and that day will be the real Dussehra for us. Do you know? It becomes very painless to do if you are a devotee and listen to Lord’s pastimes.

How You Can Kill Ravana Residing Inside You

One oil lamp is enough to end darkness, similarly to cease Ravana inside, one thought is enough, and we get that thought from our Shastra. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells us three ways to hell-lust, anger and greed. These three are clearly visible in Ravana, and by learning the lesson from his life, you can save yourself from its fury. In the 2nd chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna says about how declination of a person takes place, how a person starts to flunk.

A person’s declination starts by thinking about sexual desire. In creating, it is similar to a small seed. Still, if this seed slowly gets irrigated by contemplation, it becomes Asura. Ravana was also such type of giant Asura. Even many great deities palpitate by his name. He had done many austerity and Tapasya to acquire strength, but Ravana aimed to satisfy all sexual desires for an unlimited period. So his senses became the reason for his end.

Ravana had all the desirable things of this world. But on hearing about the beauty of Mata Sita from his sister Surpanakha, his mind filled up with sexual desire, and that is the beginning of his declination. He always considered himself as strongest, but he never had control over his senses.

Your Senses Could be the Reason for Your End

So it’s true that even if a person achieves victory in this whole world but if his mind is not in control of his will, he will indeed get defeated. Mata Sita is Lord Rama’s wife. If Ravana did not had any wrong intention and served her as he was a great scholar and he knew who is Sita mata, he might have become a devotee.

Still, due to lust he had chosen a wrong way and started thinking that he can get anything. Even after knowing who is Lord Ram, he had started thinking lord as his rival. He had decided to get Sita Mata and for that he was ready to stoush with lord Rama.

So in that condition, his lust  for her got transformed into anger and became the reason of his end. This only happens with us; when we get hyper, whatever we desire to get when we do not get that, we loose our temperament. Due to that anger, a person loses his ethics and morality that is the sense of thinking about what to do and what to not.

How Ravana Cheats

Ravana also forgot his ethics and made a plan and went to Marich. Marich acquired the form of golden deer. Ravana himself attained the form of a saint. He was the son of a brahmin and also was a great scholar. But lust, anger and greed deformed his personality.

Similarly, when someone’s heart gets filled with lust, his heart becomes filled with fraud. Then he starts to cheat everyone as Ravana cheats Mata Sita attaining the form of the saint. Ravana forcefully takes Sita Mata to Lanka with him. Sri Ram sends all soldiers of Hanuman Ji and Sugriva in all directions to search Sita Mata. Hanuman Ji crossed the sea and searched Mata Sita.

After reaching there, he gave Lord Rama’s message to Sita Mata. He destroyed Ashok Vatika. Later on, he burnt various places in Lanka. He gave a warning to Ravana that I am the slave of Sri Rama. So it will be better for you if you return Mata Sita. Otherwise, wait and see what Lord Rama will do with you.

Lust Leads to Declination

But Ravana was so indulged in it that he did not take that warning seriously. When Vibhisan tried to make it, he understood Ravana ordered him to get deported. His wife Mandodri kept on trying to make him understand that stay satisfied with me we have a happy family I will fulfil all your desire. Please let Sita go. Can’t you see the hanging rope on you? But Ravana was not ready to understand anyone’s advice, such as his wife, Hanuman Ji, Marich, and his own loving brother.

Such lust, anger and greed in our hearts are similar to Ravana, who steals bhaktirupi Mata Sita from our hearts. And we start to consider Lord as our enemy. And in such conditions, we don’t accept the words of saint and Shastra. There was no other way other than war. Ravan was seated on a wheeled carriage, and Ram was standing on land. In that condition, Indra dev sent the carriage for Lord along with the charioteer. It was a great war, and to witness that all the demigods even convene. It was the biggest war in history.

Lord said in Bhagavad Gita, chapter 4, verses 34

tad viddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya
updeshyanti tegyan gyanistatva darshinen

If we desire to learn the truth, we have to take shelter under Guru and serve him courteously.

Lord Rama himself teaches us by showing his life as an example that if we want to defeat Ravana inside us, we have to serve a true devotee of the Lord as a guru. So, on being happy with Lord Rama, Muni awarded him Aditya Hriday Mantra.

Lord’s one name is Aditya, which means sun. As the sun vanishes all the darkness, a true devotee can acquire control over all such thoughts.

How Devotees Serve to Lord

During this war, Vibhisan reached there; he said to Rama that there is Amrita or nectar in Ravana’s heart. And on drying it, only Ravana can be killed from the heart. Here Vibhishan depicts the role of a true companion devotee.

It teaches us that while fighting with the Ravana inside us, we need devotee companions to remember what learning we obtained from Guru, Sadhu and Sastra.

Further, lord Rama used the arrow on Ravana given by Agasthya muni after reciting the mantras. As a result, Ravana falls from his chariot. The scene depicts as on beating Indra’s thunderbolt any mountain got diminished.

Ravana’s army was wailing, and Vanara Sena was Honouring Sri Rama.

In this way, Lord is teaching us how to win from internal Ravana along with external Ravana present in ourselves. We have to chant mantras because they will provide strength to us.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

This mantra smash lust, anger and greed as in Aditya Hridaya Mantra  Lord Vishnu’s strength is present. Similarly, in Hare Krishna, the maha-mantra concludes all the power of the Lord.

Three Things Needed To Kill Ravana Inside Us

1. Divine the grace of devotees such as Agasthya muni.
2. Vaishnav’s company, for example, Vibhisan
3. Chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord

By following these three points in our life, we can defeat the Ravana inside us. And bring transformation from darkness towards light and celebrate Dusshera every day.

Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of lights. This festival is celebrated in the entire world with an extreme splurge. On this day people exchange best wishes and sweets with each other. Deepawali is the association of five festivals. It includes Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Deepawali, Govardhan and Bhai dooj.

Jollification Of Dhanteras

In our country, this festival is celebrated with extreme joy and happiness. The celebration of Deepawali starts from Dhanteras. And before this festival people do various preparation such as whitewashing their houses, cleaning etc.

On Dhanteras, people purchase multiple items required for Deepawali. On this day, no one lends their things to anyone. On this auspicious day, people buy new utensils, things, deities of Laxmi Ganesha to worship, sweets and gold and silver jewellery. The founder of ayurvedic medicine, Dhanwantari Vaidya, appeared with Amrit Kalash at sea. So Dhanteras is also considered as Dhanwantri Jayanti.

Importance Of Chhoti Deepawali

On the following day of Dhanteras comes Chhoti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi. On this day, Lord Krishna killed Narakasur. Narakasur was a demon. On this day, Lord Krishna released the world from his terror. To commemorate the victory of good over evil, we celebrate this festival by lighting lamps.

Significance Of Deepawali

On the following day of Chhoti Deepawali, we celebrate Badi Deepawali. On this day, we forget our all grief and celebrate this festival with full enthusiasm. We celebrate this festival by returning Ayodhya of Lord Sri Ram with Sita Devi and brother Laxman after 14 years of exile. In another era, this was also the day when Lord Krishna performed His Damodar Lila of breaking the pots of butter and yoghurt and letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda. 

Preparation Of Deepawali

People make beautiful colourful rangolis at the entrance and light lamps at the centre of rangoli. Many people even make feet of Laxmi Devi at the door and decorate their house with a series of lamps. The light of lamps brighten the outside of the house and signifies the enlightenment of the inside. Everyone needs to be knowledgeable and happy. The gold and silver purchased in Deepawali signify prosperity. It is just an external wealth. The original required wealth in life is present inside us.

The True Wealth Of Life

In this material world, people are so obsessed with wealth, gold etc. But they do not understand the original wealth is love, peace, and harmony. There is no other wealth needed in life other than this to lead a happy life. So natural and actual luxury and the best knowledge make you realize what true life is and why it is so? And what should you do in life?

How A Person Can Attain True Happiness

A person’s character, peace and self-confidence is our actual property. When we proceed in life with the blessings of the Supreme Lord being a devotee, there cannot be any other wealth superior to this. You can realise it by serving Supreme Lord with complete love and devotion. One best example to understand the strength of the Supreme Lord is sea waves. When sea waves are attached to the sea, and a part of it also gets supreme power. We get the same strength from Supreme Lord when we stay connected with Him. So this festival of light illuminates our inside and outside both. It makes our life meaningful and shows the path to attain our goals.

With these illuminated lights on the next day of Deepawali comes Govardhan Puja. This festival is the real example of love and devotion towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. People know this with the name of Annakut also. On Govardhan pooja Godhan, i.e. people worship cows. In Shastra cow is said to be as sacred as the holy Ganga. The cow is noted as the Swaroop of mother Laxmi. As Laxmi Devi provides happiness and prosperity, a cow gives us milk that enriches our health, true wealth. 

Supreme Lord Sri Krishna performed the Govardhan Leela to establish glory Giriraj Govardhan. A pure devotee of Lord Krishna doesn’t have to perform any of the ceremonial functions enjoined in the Vedas, nor is he required to worship any demigods.

Observance Of Govardhan Puja

On the day of Govardhan Puja, people make Govardhan mountain using cow dung. On this day, people worship and do parikrama and offer various types of delicious bhoga offerings. The bhoga offerings are stacked like a small hill and presented to the Lord. Then it is distributed to everyone as prasadam. Hence, this festival is also called Annakuta Festival. 

Bhai Dooj

 In this series of festivals, the last but the important festival is Bhai dooj or bhaiya dooj. This festival is the symbol of the unbreakable bond of brother and sister. On this day, married women invite their brothers to their home, do tilak and ask their brothers to have a feast. On this auspicious day, brothers and sisters who live in one house have a feast together. If a brother and sister take a bath at Yamuna river and take meals at the bank of the river, then it is considered most auspicious and fortunate. This festival is also known as ‘Yama Dwitiya.

In this way, this series of festivals of lamps is an association of five auspicious festivals. These festivals are related and linked to our lives’ phases and enhance our consciousness and strength. It helps us understand reality, and it shows the way to achieve our goal of life that is transcendental loving devotional service towards the Supreme Lord wholeheartedly. So come, let’s celebrate this festival of light with jubilance and try to lighten our inside that is surrendering soul unto the lotus feet of Supreme Lord Krishna and chant the glories of Sri Krishna by His Holy Names.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare.

I wish you a very Happy Krishna Conscious Deepawali.

Importance of Gopastami – Gopastami is one of the most important and cheerful pastimes among all the pastimes of lord Shri Krishna. The eighth lunar day of Kartik month is known as Gopastami. It is believed that on this auspicious day Nanda Maharaj send his children Krishna and Balrama for the first time to herd the cows. Krishna now stepped into the age of kumara from pauganda. Till the age of pauganda, Krishna was a calf keeper. After stepping into the age of Kaumara, on the auspicious day of Gopastami lord Shri Krishna started to herd the cows. To witness this incident Shri Radharani took the form of his Sakha.

How Gopastami is celebrated

On this auspicious day, people worship cows. They offer fodder to cows. On Kartik month’s Shukla Ashtami tithi early morning people bathe cows, offer them flowers, and scents and decorate them with different clothes.

People feed fodder to cows and do parikrama, and then go after cows for some distance. Then in the evening when cows come back that time is known as godhuli muhurat. At that time also they are greeted and worshipped. After this, they touch their lotus feet and pray for their healthy and prosperous future. The charity is given in gaushala on this day.

In Srimad Bhagawatam, it is stated that lord Shri Krishna used to walk barefooted at the age of six keeping cows ahead. At that time even his footsteps were not properly developed. Krishna gets delighted when the foot dust of cows falls on him.
Krishna used to walk barefooted in dust leaving footprints of his lotus feet everywhere. This is the reason for the dazzling beauty of Vrindavan.

It is said that Nanda maharaja had 9 lakh cows and lord Shri Krishna was aware of their names. All the cows were identified by their names. If any cow gets separated from the group then Krishna calls them back with their names. Due to this affection, Krishna is also known as Gopal or Govind.

Reason for the importance of cows 

Krishna was fond of cows. He used to apply gauraj tilak on his forehead. He showed his affection for gau seva through his words and pastime to people. In this way, Krishna and Balrama are the symbols of cow protection. In Hindu, culture cows are not considered an ordinary animals. Cows are considered mothers. It is said that by drinking cow’s milk our brain works more actively and we can analyse our shastra easily. In shastra, it is said that inside cows 33 thousand gods and goddesses exist. The cow is the symbol of our prosperity.

Objective of Gopastami

The main aim of Gopastami is to protect cows and provide service for their sewa. We should always try to provide a safe, loving and caring environment to cows as they are the favourite Krishna. It is said that in places where cow seva is done Lord Hari uses it to provide infinite grace. We are dependent on cows’ blessings. We should always provide service and take care of cows. Cows expand prosperity and establish spirituality in the surrounding. Whether we live in cities or villages consuming the milk of desi cow and using other dairy products made of it also contributes to the seva of cows. By doing so we are playing an important role in the country’s economy.

So on this auspicious day of Gopastami, let’s provide some service for the protection of cows. We can try to offer them a loving and protective environment. In this way, we can surely impress our Lord Krishna and get the lord’s blessings.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare.