Spiritual Calendar December, 2010

All dates given below are as per the Shri Banke Bihari Panchang (Calendar) of Vrindavan.

With the blessings of highly revered Sushila Bahenji the month of December starts on a very auspicious note.

Shri Hari

1^st December, 2010: Shri Hari Kirtan on a Wednesday, to celebrate the birthday of Radhika at her mother M.Khosla's residence in Noida, from 4 to 6 pm.

Shri Ranganatha on Utpanna Ekadashi

2nd December,2010: Utpanna Ekadashi also known as Utpatti Ekadasi. It is observed on the eleventh day in the first half of the month of Margasirsha and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Puranas reveal that once the gods and their king Indra were driven out of swarga by demon Mura.The devas took refuge in Lord Vishnu and pleaded that He restore their lost kingdom. Lord Vishnu asked the devas to assemble at Chandravati to fight Demon Mura. The Lord easily defeated the demon army but could not defeat demon Mura.

After a while Lord Vishnu decided to rest in a cave at Badrikasrama and slept. Mura arrived to annihilate Lord Vishnu. All of a sudden,from the Lord's transcendental form emerged a goddess with eight arms, brandishing several weapons. She battled and killed Mura. When Lord Vishnu woke up He blessed her, stating that she was His energy. Since she had appeared on the 11th day of a lunar fortnight, she was named Ekadasi. Vishnu affirmed that those who worship Him and observe Ekadasi Vrat, their sins will be expiated and they will attain salvation. Lord Krishna advises his devotees to start their Ekadasi Upvas on Utpanna Ekadashi and break it on Dwadashi.

Lord Shiva

3^rd December, 2010: Lord Shiva's Pradosh Fast, on a Friday. The puja is observed in the evening on Trayodashi or 13th day in Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha of the Hindu month. It is auspicious to perform Shukra Graha Dosha Nivarana Puja on this day.

Ma Kali & Krishna

5th December,2010: Kartik Maas Amavasya, which is the last day of the sacred Kartik Month. Usually people observe a fast on this day and worship the Devi. Being a highly auspicious day, any puja performed on this day is very fruitful. Also known as Amavasi or Amavas, it is the darkest day in a Hindu calendar and is referred to as the new moon day. In North India, it is the Margashirsh Amavasya.This day is chosen for performing Shradh and Tarpan by many Hindu communities.Some Hindu communities observe a partial fast and have meals once during the day.

Shri Banke Bihari Thakur ji

10th December, 2010:Vihar Panchami also known as Bihar Panchami, is the day when Shri Bankebihari (Lord Krishna) appeared in Vrindavan for Swami Shri Haridas. The incident is 523 years old when Akbar reigned and Tansen was his darbari. Millions of devotees throng the Biharji Temple to revel in the festivities. This auspicious event is said to have taken place on the fifth day of the moon's waxing phase in the Margashirsh Month.

Swami Shri Hari Das

Popularly known as Bankey Bihari Prakat Mahotsav, the entire premises of Nidhivan as well as the Bankey Bihari Temple are beautifully decked with flowers, flags, buntings and lights on this occasion. Special pujas and rituals are performed and another great attraction is the colorful processions taken out on this day.

10^th December, 2010: Vivah Panchami of Lord Ram and Sita, observed on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Margashirsha month. The day is observed as the Vivah Utsav of Sita and Rama in temples and sacred places associated with Sri Rama in Mithilanchal region and North India.

Shri Anand Das Baba

At Anand Dass Baba's Ashram, a grand bhandara is being organised. Saint Ushaji opined that he was Rambhakt Hanuman Himself. She used to tell us how He would spend entire days and night at the sandy beaches of Sri Yamuna without food for days at a stretch and ardently longed for the divine love of Ramji. An amazing trait of His religious devotion was Baba's constant love for Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna forever dwells, even though he was a great bhakta of Lord Rama.

Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj

17^th December, 2010: Janamotsav of Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj.Pamapoojya Deviji earnestly urges everyone to reach Vrindavan for Sri Sri Maharaj ji's abhishek(ceremonial bathing of an idol) on his janamotsav (celebration of his birth), accompanied by a jagran (singing of devotional hymns) which will carry on for the entire night. Three days prior to these festivities we have the Srimad Bhagavat Katha by Bhatt ji along with enactment of the Raas (a Krishna festival including enactment of the round-dance, celebrated in the month Kartik) followed by a bhandara on 18^th December,2010.

The bhaktas of Shri Venu-Vinod Kunj sing the mahamantra with enthused fervour on this occasion:

Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram, Ram Hare Hare,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Mokshada Ekadashi

17th November,2010: Mokshada Ekadashi

Its legend taken from the Brahmanda Purana:

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "What is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha (November-December) and removes all sins? "

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "This Ekadasi is famous as Mokshadaa because it purifies the faithful devotee of all sinful reactions and bestows liberation upon him. The worshippable Deity of this all auspicious day is Lord Damodara.”

""There once was a beautiful city named Champaka-nagar and the best of saintly kings Maharaj Vaikhaanasa, ruled over his subjects as if they were his very own dear sons and daughters. The king had a dream one night in which his father was seen to be suffering torture in one of the hellish planets ruled over by Yamaraj.”

" ' O brahmanas,' the king addressed them, 'In a dream last night I saw my father suffering on a hellish planet. Now I have no peace in my mind, and even this beautiful kingdom has become unbearable to me.”

" The twice born brahmins replied, 'O king, in the mountainous forest not far from here is the ashram where a great saint Parvata Muni resides. Please go to him, for he knows the past, the present, and the future and can surely help you in your gaining relief from your misery.'

"Upon the advise of brahmins, the distressed king immediately set out for the ashram of sage Parvata Muni.

"Then Parvata Muni, the best of all sages, closed his eyes and meditated on the king and said, 'Your father is suffering the results of committing a great sin. In his previous life he quarrelled with his wife and forcibly enjoyed her sexually.'

"Parvata Muni replied, 'During the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha there occurs an Ekadasi called Mokshadaa'.

"Hearing this, Maharaj Vaikhaanasa profusely thanked the great sage and then returned to his palace to perform his vrata. He then perfectly and with full faith observed the Ekadasi fast with his wife, children, and other relatives and dutifully gave the merit from this fast to his father. The king's father was then escorted to the celestial region.'

Lord Krishna confirmed, "O son of Pandu there is no better fasting day than this Ekadasi and one goes back to Godhead, never to return to this material world."

The Bhagavad Gita

17^th November, 2010: Sri Bhagavad Gita Jayanti when Lord Krishna revealed the nature of time and duty to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, about 5225 years ago.The Gita Jayanti is observed on the eleventh day of the bright half moon (Shukla paksha) of the Margaseersha month (November – December).

Shani Pradosham

18 December 2010: Shani Pradosham Fast is very auspicious vratham dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Pradosha puja is in the evening time on Trayodashi or 13th day in Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha of a Hindu month. On a Saturday it is even more auspicious. Those suffering from Shani Graha Dosham can observe Shani Dosha Nivarana Puja.

Margshirsha Poornima

21^st December, 2010: Margshirsha Poornima or full moon day. It is the last day in a month in the calendar followed in North India and is known as Pournami in South India. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is observed by some Hindus on Purnima.Purnima day is chosen by many Hindus for pujas like the Satyanarayan Puja. Dattatreya Jayanthi plus Annapurna Jayanti is also observed on this day.

26^th December: Monthly Sri Hari Kirtan at Dr Khare's place on a Sunday from 4 to 6 pm. 'Smriti Kaumudi,' the memoirs of Shri Manohar Baba endorses that we must honour this tradition begun by Manohar Baba and surely reach for the kirtan.

Revered Bobo with Sushila Bahenji

28^th December: Appearance Day of Shri Susheela Bahinji, on a Tuesday.

Shri Radha-Krishna, Bobo's Yugal Served by Sushila Bahenji

All are requested to reach Gaura Colony in Dham Vrindavan and bow to our Yugal Sarkar or sacred couple of Sri Thakurji and Radha Rani.Thus paying regards to Susheela Bahinji who selflessly does their seva or attends to their needs.

Saphala Ekadashi

31^st December: Safala Ekadashi also spelt as Saphala Ekadasi, is observed on Paush Krishna Paksha Ekadasi day as per North Indian calendars. Saphala Ekadashi vrat helps devotees to attain success in every sphere of life.

The spiritual importance of Safala Ekadashi is mentioned in the Brahmanda Purana as the conversation between Lord Krishna and Yudhistira. The legend of Safala Ekadashi is associated with King Lumpaka who was sinful by nature but after keeping the Ekadasi Vrat he was blessed with a blissful life and attained salvation after death.

Religous Observances to Be Followed During the Kartik Month

What should we do in the month of Kartik (the eighth month of the Hindu lunar year,October-November)is a question often asked by bhaktas.

Pilgrims Bathing in Rameshwaram

Waking up early in the morning, one should bathe in some sacred river like the Yamuna or Ganges or on the holy shores of the ocean such as Jagannath Puri or Rameshwaram.On not having the facility to do so one must invoke these pilgrimage sites and bathe early in the morning day.

Offering Arghya to the Sun

There is a distinctive tradition of giving arghya (a respectful offering of water to a deity) or libation to the sun god.

Lighting Diyas Around the Sacred Tulsi

Lighting a diya before the tulsi (sacred basil plant) in the evening, do aarti (a dish holding a lamp,burning ghi, incence or other articles is moved in a series of circles in front of the idol during worship) while chanting, “Jai, jai Tulsi Maharani, Namo nama! Shri Hari Ki Patrani,Namo nama!”

One must vow to chant the mahamantra one and quarter crore times or have recitation of either the Srimad Bhagwad Parayan or Shri Ram Charit Manas or carefully study while reflecting upon the Bhagavad Gita.

Prabhat Pheri of Bhaktas

The prabhat-pheri of bhaktas(a circumambulation taken by devotees at dawn) doing Shri Hari Kirtan at the crack of dawn, steps out at several places.This group of Kartik lovers heading towards Shri Yamunaji in Vrindavan, appear very lovable.

Mount Giriraj

At least one circumambulation of Mount Giriraj should be undertaken during the pious Kartik Month.The so very famous festival of Diwali also falls during the month of Kartik.

Lord Ganesha, Laxmi and Saraswati

Along with worshipping Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati we have the tradition of venerating Lord Vishnu, Vaikunth where he forever dwells, Sheer Sagar,Sheshnaag and Garuda, his vehicle,

God Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi

because Laxmiji wedded Vishnu on this day. Lord Narayan in his Vamana incarnation released Laxmi, the goddess of fortune, from King Bali on this particular day.

Lord Rama Returns to Ayodhya

A distinctive puja of Shri Hanumanji is done along with the Shri Ram Durbar. Calling to mind the earthen lamps which were lit in joyously to welcome Shri Ramji's return to Ayodhya along with Sitaji and Laxman, we must light up the entire house and courtyard. One must make obeisance to the god of fire.

Lord Dhanvantari

Precisely two days before Diwali we have the manifestation day of Lord Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Hari,therefore light lamps from Dhanteras onwards. Buying new vessels- utensils on this day do Diwali Puja in them.Apart from mithai or sweetmeats, all fruits particularly the pomegranate and tambul (paan) should be offered to God. Along with lighting, offer the fragrant divine flower garlands as well and clad in new clothes do the Diwali Puja.

Dussehra

Abandoning laziness, totally clean the house from Dussehra itself, striving indefatigably to lighten and make the residence appear fresh.Invariably women make beautiful rangoli patterns in the house and escalate the grandeur of the festivities.Griha Laxmi or the lady of the house is also a svarupa of Laxmi. Respecting and holding her in high esteem is seen as escalating one's prosperity and affluence,' Yatra Naari Poojyante, tatra ramte devta.'

Lord Krishna Battling Narakasura

In southern India Lord Krishna in particular is remembered on Diwali because he had released 16,000 maidens from Narakasura. One should take care to worship-venerate one's kul devta or family deity and spiritual preceptor-respected saint with equal respect.One must do stuti (sing the praises of) of Lord Shiva, everyone's adi guru, along with goddess Parvati, Mount Kailash, Kartikeya,Ganesha and Nandi

Bhaktas of Braj, particularly the Pushti Margis (the philosophico-devotional system of Vallabha) worship Shri Radha-Krishna because we have the Goverdhan Puja and Annakoot on the very next day.

Lord Krishna

All elements of the Supreme Being can possibly comingle only in Lord Krishna because of his lila or divine play which is both real and illusionary which makes him both human and divine at the same time, 'Sambhav maami yuge, yuge!'(The Bhagavad Gita).

Dark-Hued Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Dark-hued Krishna is considered the complete incarnation of Vishnu (says Shukdev ji in the Shrimad Bhagavad) 'Shri Krishna stoo Bhagvan svayan.' Therefore by offering all kinds of grains, sweetmeats, salted snacks and drinks to Lord Krishna or Giriraj who is a form of Brahma, the Supreme Being regarded as personal and in his capacity as creator of the world,we are blessed because these eatables work to makes us healthy, for the entire year.

Delicacies Offered to Shri Giriraj

The maximum variety of foodstuffs should be offered to Giriraj ji-all sorts of grains-puri,paranthe,roti, chapatti, makki ki roti, differnt kinds of vegetables and spinach, sprouted grains-boiled or roasted corn-all varieties of lentils-karhi-rice and mixed vegetables.

Assorted delicacies like sweetmeats, pedas,kheer, halwa, gulab jamun, jalebi, imarti,rabrhi sweetened milk, butter cream,malpua, petha, mithi puri, kachori, samosa, rice, bajre ki khichdi,daliya, dhokla,namkeen murmura, bhelpuri, sweet and salted cheele (pancakes), pickles particularly teent,chaat, tikki, chutney,pakoras made of potatoes or spinach, besan pakoris,mattha, chhach,lassi, raita, yoghurt,dryfruits,murabba,salad, grated radish in lime,-fruits, papad, papdi,paan, elaichi, saunf, laung, pure biscuits,goli, toffees,chocolates,gol gappas and its sweet plus sour water.

Mathri, shakkar, para, kheel, batasha, aam papad,honey, all sorts of gajjak, peanuts, patti khedi, gurh sharbat,juice, dates, raw coconut,should be offered as bhoga (food offered to an idol)because Lord Krishna himself relishes this feast and is delighted.By reading the 24th chapter (tenth canto) of Shrimad Bhagwat over and over again, we are blisfully motivated in a novel way each time round.

The sumptuous food for bhoga should be cooked at home since the khoya, ghi and cooks in the market are said to be impure.The use of garlic and onions is strictly forbidden.It is a customary norm to serve the maximum number of sumptuous cooked foods for bhoga but the presence of loving affection is a must.

Shri Murari Bapu

As Murari Bapu endorses in his katha, “One must serve the bhoga with great love and respect,” by singing devotional songs in joyous abandon, Jai Giriraj Dharan, Baba teri sharanh' or else 'Jai jai Goverdhan Dhaari, Shri Radhavar Kunj Bihari!'

The Basil Leaf

It is a must to add the basil leaf (tulsi)to every preparation cooked for bhoga which should be liberally given to everyone and even those who do not have the finances to buy pure dry fruits and meva.Lord Krishna has lucidly announced how the food should be distributed during Giriraj bhoga.

Firecrackers

Coax the children not to spend much on crackers or waste money on gambling and other addictive vices so that the pure svarupa of Diwali remains intact.Hand out sweetmeats, new clothes and food amongst the poorer factions through the young ones and make them aware of the sacred history of the festival of lights.

Maharaj Chitragupt

Bathing in Shri Yamuna, celebrate the pristine bhai dooj and worship Lord Chitragupta (Sanskrit: rich in secrets,a god assigned with the task of keeping records of human beings on earth.)Reaching the heights of elation and ecstasy and being endowed with goodness or being sattvic is the very life of the Kartik Month, particularly the festival of diwali.

Lord Krishna & Balram with Cows, the Wealth of their Village

Gopashtami comes exactly eight days after Diwali.Lord Krishna and Balram worshipped all the cows which were the wealth of their tiny village before taking the cows for grazing (tenth canto of the Shrimad Bhagwat).Hence the tradition of applying tilak to the cow our mother and feeding her roti is followed on this day.Wherever there are cowsheds we should go and fervently attend to needs of the cows by serving them.

Shri Vrindavan

We have the Akshay Naumi, next day, which is the manifestation day of Vrindavan,'Jai jai Shri Vrindavan Dhaam.' Hence its parikrama is done without fail. It is also believed that Mother Earth appeared on this particular day. There exists a tradition of bowing being mother earth daily and on Akshay Naumi, in particular.

Devothan Ekadashi

The Devothan Ekadashi which comes right before Kartik Poornima has a great significance. After Lord Narayan wakes up, weddings start taking place.We have the tradition of Tulsi's marriage to Lord Shaligram on this day.The circumambulation of Garuda-Govinda near Chatikara in Vrindavan is undertaken on this ekadashi.

In the words of revered saint Murari Bapu, “ Do worship goddess Tulsi at home along with Lord Shaligramji and entreat for bhakti or religious devotionbecause Ma Tulsi is actually the svarupa or living presence of bhakti. Chant,”Jai jai Tulsi Maharani, namo namah!” particularly followed by aarti in the evening. Make a concentrated effort to bathe early in the morning and following the regime of special meditation up until Kartik Poornima.

The ethereal scene in Shri Dhaam Vrindavan, Goverdhan and Parikrama Marg on Dev Uthani Ekadashi is worth seeing. Lakhs of bhaktas who could not do the circumambulation in the entire year for some reason set out for the parikrama on this day particularly of Radha-Damodar Mandir (near Nidhi Van).

The Vivah of Tulsi with Shaligram ji

The vivah or marriage of Lord Shri Shaligram ji and Tulsi is brought to a successful conclusion in this temple and the nearby Ras Mandal (Shri RadhaVallabh Sampradaya) with enthused exultation. Everyone sings the congratulatory songs with joyous abandon and there is a grand feast after the marriage ceremony. What can we say about the splendid or joyous festivals of Braj.

Shri Radha-Krishna

The Kartik Month comes to an end with Kartik Poornima which is considered by some as Raas Poornima too. Everyone takes a dip in sacred pilgrimage sites like the Ganges, Yamuna, Shri Jagannath Puri, Shri Rameshwaram, Mansi Ganga (Goverdhan). Millions of devotees circumambulate or do parikrama of Shri Giriraj-Goverdhan, Vrindavan Dham, Chitrakoot and Kamad Giri.Kartik Poornima has a distinctive significance for the Gaudiyas and special kirtans plus conventions are held wherever they have their sites.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

In Shri Vrindavan the savari or float of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is taken in a procession right from Gopinath Bazar to Shri Radha-Damodar Temple in Nidhi Van as bhaktas sing joyously,

Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hence the entire month of Kartik is full of festivals-celebrations and laden with joyous abandon.Considering it to be a sacred month of devotion for attaining the divine, one must act and behave accordingly during this time span.

Lighting Diyas Like Diwali

Creating a scene very similar to Diwali and being delighted on Kartik Poornima, the last day of the month by lighting the maximum number of diyas or earthen lamps around the sacred tulsi plant, points towards this festive spirit.

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-X

Banks of the Narmada in Maheshwar

Baba took him to the banks of the Narmada River for a stroll. Seeing the beautiful ghats , Shri Maharaj told Baba, “I have seen these banks in my dream some months back.” Shri Maharaj ji even enjoyed a boat ride with Baba at this spot.

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Nandgaon

Highly revered Maharaj ji would often take Manohar Baba along and venture to Nandgaon, Barsana, Goverdhan and other such sites. He made Baba have darshan of several siddh saints residing in the lowlands of Nandgaon and Goverdhan. At times Maharaj took him to their huts and occasionally he introduced him to them when they were roaming around the place.

Shri Hari Baba

Baba had the good fortune of meeting most respected Udiya Baba, Hari Baba,Saint Sain Kokil ji, Narayan Swami ji (judge saheb), Mira ji,Raghunath Das ji Maharaj of Ranganath Garden, Manohar Das ji Maharaj of Govind Kund (Goverdhan), Gaur Govind Das ji and Madhav Das ji of Poonchri,Subal Das ji of Radha Kund, Sakhi Charan Das ji and other great saints through the medium of highly revered Maharaj ji.

Brahmachari Mandir, Vrindavan

It was Maharaj ji who explained the spiritual significance of various sites which were renowned for Thakurji's lila to Baba. In those days the Raas lila (Krishna's dalliance and dance with the herdgirls of Braj) would be enacted in the Udiya Ashram and Brahmachari Mandir (Gwalior Mandir) of Vrindavan throughout the year. 

Enactment of the Raas Lila

Baba would invariably venture out with Maharaj ji to see the Raas Lila every single day. During the festivities of Holi and Shravan (many important festivals such as Janmashtami, Naga panchami, Avani Avittam, Shravan Poornima and Raksha Bandhan are celebrated in this month) Baba would watch Raas Lila at several places in the span of a day.

Manohar Baba's lived in an extremely simple manner since his needs were very few. Ever since his mother passed away in 1954 he had never worn stitched clothes.

Shri Manohar Baba

His attire comprised of an outer wrap, a saafi or sash tightly tied around his waist and an upper cloth. During winters he would tie a silken cloth, measuring three metres, firmly around his chest. He wound a white cloth around his head, very much like a turban, alongside. A divine saint had taught him to dress up in this fashion.

Revered Devi ji

Revered Devi ji strived to convince Baba for wearing a sweater during the biting cold but she did not succeed. 

Shri Sushila Bahen ji had firmly told Baba on his ninety-first birthday that she would have a long warm choga (a long loose knee length cloak) made for him in the next winters, which he would have to wear for certain. 

But Baba evaded the matter by saying, “ He would consider the suggestion.” Sadly Baba departed, leaving all of us forever, before the next winters set in.

Saraswati Bai Mule, the Mother of Manohar Baba

Manohar Baba always held his mother in great esteem. He often used to say that when his mother was distressed and missed him, he could relish the delicacies cooked by her without eating a bite, while he sat in Vrindavan. 

At times his heart would writhe in pain like a fish out of water and that is when Maharaj ji would say, “ It seems your mother is remembering you.” (Page 360 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,' the memoirs of Manohar Baba)