Adhik Masa 19042010

All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga
GLORIES OF PURUSOTTAMA ADHIK MASA

by HH Mahanidhi Swami
INTRODUCTION
Purusottama month, or adhika masa (extra month) is also called mala masa (dirty month) by the performers of karma-kanda because they cannot get any material fruitive results from their worship during this month. Our acaryas say it is called mala masa because devotional activities performed in this month destroy the dirt and contamination caused by sins. It is called adhika (extra) masa because Sri Krsna has placed all His potencies, mercy, blessings in this month, and also because one gets more results from any pious act. Only works of devotion (Krsna-bhakti) give results in Purusottama month. Of all months, Purusottama is Krsna's favorite month. Lord Sri Krsna is Purusottama. As Krsna is the supreme among all incarnations, Purusottama is the supreme among all months. Purusottama month is the holiest month, far superior to the pious months of Magha, Vaisakha and Karttika. Purusottama month is worshiped all over the universe by devotees, sages, demigods and even Laksmi Devi Herself. If one sincerely worships Radha and Krsna in Purusottama month, he will attain everything. One who observes Purusottama vrata, will burn up the reactions of all his bad karma and attain the direct service of Radha and Krsna. Purusottama month is the best month for all spiritual advancement because Krsna overlooks all the aparadhas. Residence in the holy dhama in Purusottama month yields 1000 times the benefit.
GLORIES OF PURUSOTTAMA MONTH PURANAS)
(FROM PADMA AND SKANDA
1. Lord Sri Krsna: "Purusottama month has all the power I have to bless its observer. One who follows Purusottama vrata will destroy all his past sinful reactions. Without performing Purusottama vrata, one cannot perform pure devotional service. The value of Purusottama month is far more valuable than all other types of austerities and religious activities mentioned in the Vedas. Anyone who observes Purusottama vrata will return to my abode, Goloka, at the end of his life". 2. Durvasa Muni: "Just by bathing in a holy river during Purusottama month, one becomes sinless. The glory of all other months is not equal to one-sixteenth of the glory of the Purusottama month. By bathing in a holy place, giving charity and chanting the Holy Name of Krsna during Purusottama month, all miseries are destroyed, one attains all kinds of perfection and fulfills all his desires".
3. Valmiki Muni: "By observing Purusottama vrata, one attains more benefit than performing one hundred horse sacrifices. All holy places live within the body of a Purusottama month vrati. Anyone who faithfully performs Purusottama vrata will go to Goloka Vrndavana". 4. Narada Muni: "Purusottama month is the best of all months, vratas and austerities. Just by faithfully hearing the glories of Purusottama month, one attains Krsna-bhakti and immediately nullifies his sinful reactions. One who performs Purusottama vrata properly will attain unlimited sukrti and go to the spiritual world". 5. Naimisaranya Sages: "Merciful Purusottama month acts like a desire tree to fulfill a devotee's desire".
THE PURUSOTTAMA VRATA

1. Keep celibacy for one month. (Sleep on the floor optional). 2. Rise in brahma muhurta time. 3. Chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra and meditate on Radha-Krsna's rupa, guna, lila. Daily chant extra rounds: 24, 32, 64. 4. Daily offer ghee lamp to Radha-Krsna Deities or Picture. 33 lamps daily or at least 1 day in the month. 5. Daily aratika and parikrama of Tulasi Devi. 6. Daily mandira parikrama (4 times). 7. Daily offer Radha-Krsna Deities or Picture roses, lotus flowers and 100,000 Tulasi leaves (or as many as you can). 8. One should bathe everyday before sunrise in a holy place. (At least , three days in the month). 9. Daily read Srimad Bhagavatam Radha-Krsna lila ; acaryas say it is a rule to daily read S.B. 10.14---Brahma stuti. 10. Daily chant Sri Jagannathastakam, Sri Cauragraganya Purusastakam, Sri NandaNandanastakam, Jaya Radha Madhava, and other Radha-Krsna bhajanas and prayers. 11. Take a vow to remain peaceful and truthful throughout the month. 12. Be careful not to blaspheme any devotees, brahmanas, saints, cows, sastras or vratis. And dont ask anyone for anything 13. Try your best to please Radha and Krsna by performing devotional austerities according to your abilities. Dont break your vow in the middle of the month. 14. Eat on leaf plates sitting on the floor (optional). 15. No cutting of hair or nails (optional). 16. No cooking in oil or rubbing of oil on your body. 17. No eating or rubbing of mustard oil. 18. Diets: Best to eat once a day after sunset or noon the following diets: i) only milk ; ii) only fruits (no milk, no veg.); iii)no grains (selected veg., fruits, nuts, milk); iv) selected foods (all categories as per caturmasya standards). 19. Hari-bhakti-vilasa (Vol 4, Vs 437): "During Purusottama month, one should remember Lord Krsna and then donate thirty three milk cakes cooked in ghee to grhastha brahmanas,
who are well versed in sastras. Failing to do so, one loses all the piety he accumulated in the previous year." 20. Acaryas say chant daily some japa of Kaundinya Munis mantra: govardhana dharam vande gopalam gopa rupinam gokulutsava ne isanam govindam gopika priyam I worship the lifter of Govardhana Hill, Who has the beautiful form of a cowherd boy, and who continually plays with the gopas. He is the Lord of Gokula wherein everyday is a festival. 21. Daily offer 33 dandavats to Bhagavan Sri Krsna or the vaisnavas. 22. Bhaktivinoda Thakuras P.M. vrata: Perform the Nirapeksa Vrata, which means 30 days of concentrated, onepointed worship and service to Radha-Govinda Yugala by hearing, chanting, remembering Their divine names, forms, qualities, pastimes. All day and night, hear about Bhagavan Sri Krsna, chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra, take mahaprasada. 23. Charity: Best days --- Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Purnima, Amavasya, Sravana Naksatra Day; DO offer money, gold, cloth, shoes, fruits, etc. to brahmanas and vaisnavas ; Also offer 33 plantains or mangoes plus dana and daksina ---when giving dana (diff. items) to a brahmana, one must simultaneously donate daksina (money equal to the monetary value of the dana).
BREAKING PURUSOTTAMA VRATA

1. Bathe in brahma-muhurta time, worship Radha-Syamasundara Deities or Picture, 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 Radhika, please accept my offerings. I offer my repeated obeisances unto Syamasundara, who wears effulgent yellow garments on His beautiful body. 2. Offer puspanjali and obeisances to Radha-Syamasundara Deities or Picture. 3. Feed and give charity to 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 brahmanas to the best of your ability (e.g., new clothes, two pairs of shoes, Laksmi). The best charity is to give a Srimad Bhagavatam to a qualified grhastha vaisnava brahmana. This act will deliver all your ancestors to the spiritual world and award them the association of Lord Purusottama !
Special Breaking Actions

1. If you ate fruits, ghee, rice, wheat etc, donate the same to brahmanas. 2. If you slept on the floor, give a bed and pillows to a brahmana. 3. If you ate on a leaf plate, feed brahmanas with ghee and sugar. 4. If you didnt cut nails or hair, donate a mirror to a brahmana. 5. If you offered ghee lamps, give new lamps and pots to a brahmana. 6.* If you broke any rules or regulations during Purusottama vrata, feed different sweet juices to brahmanas.
7. Lord Siva says that the best charity is: "Fill a bell metal pot with thirty malpuas, bind the pot with seven new threads and give to a worthy brahmana".
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 RadhaSyamasundara, who wears effulgent yellow garments on His beautiful body." 2. Offer flowers and obeisances to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. 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! 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, BTG 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.
THE GLORIES OF PURUSHOTTAMA - ADHIK MAAS

(From Padma Purana)
THE STORY AND NAMING OF THIS MONTH

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, "0 Sutaji! All of us are humbly requesting you to please 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 listen to 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, "0 sages, please to listen me. I first went to Puskara Tirtha, then after visiting thousands of other holy places, 1 reached Hastinapura. There, on the bank of the 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 lotus Vyasasana to Sukadeva Goswami, which was meant for the speaker who would speak Krishna katha to Pariksit Maharaja. Suta Goswami said, "0 sages, 1 have just come from Hastinapura where I heard the whole Shrimad Bhagavatam from the lotus mouth of Sukadeva Goswami, So now 1 will tell you about the all-attractive activities and pastimes of the Lord. Once, long ago, Shri Narada Muni reached Badrikashrama, the residence of Lord Narayana Rsi. 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. And so I am paying 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. Hearing the sweet words of Narada, Lord Narayana smiled. He said, "0 Narada, please listen to narrations about the supremely pious pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Shri Krishna, for they will diminish all sinful reaction. 0 Narada, 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 Purusottama 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. Narada enquired, "0 Lord, I have heard the glories of all months including Kartika, Chaitra etc, but which month is this Purusottama month? 0 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 Goswami said, "0 sages, after hearing all these questions from Narada, Lord Narayana began to speak from His moon-like lotus mouth. "0 Narada, I am going to tell you something which was previously explained by Lord Shri 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 Shri Krishna. After this incident, Yudhisthira Maharaja along with his brothers and wife left his kingdom and lived in Kamayaka forest. Once Shri 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 Krnsa's darshan. They paid their obeisances at their Lord's lotus feet. Seeing the miserable living condition of the Pandavas, Lord Shri Krishna became very upset and at the same time He became very angry towards Dhuryodhana. 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 Purusottama month. Oh Arjuna! 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, so 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, 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 started praying to the Lord, "Oh ocean of mercy! I have come to You helpless. I have been
rejected and blasphemed by all peoples of the world. Please protect me, please show me Your mercy. Please don't be indifferent towards me." Saying these words, the extra month 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 from all of your miseries Please stop crying. It is not proper to lament after taking shelter at My lotus feet." Being so consoled by the Lord, the extra month began speaking in openhearted language. "Oh Lord, You know all my painful condition No one is in a 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 repeatedly said, " I want to die! 1 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, so please protect me." Lord Vishnu told the extra month, "Oh child, please don't lament, all of your miserable conditions will be finished very soon. Get up and come with Me to Goloka Vrndavana, which is even unattainable to great yogis. Goloka is the abode of Lord Shri Krishna. Here Lord Shri Krishna is in His two-handed form, surrounded by gopis and enjoying His eternal pastimes. The Supreme Shri Krishna of Goloka will deliver you from all your miseries, please come with Me." Speaking in this way, Lord Vishnu took Malamasa (the extra month) to Goloka by catching her by the hand. From a distant place Lord Vishnu and the extra month 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 farther until He reached the main gate. There the doorkeeper paid his respects to Him. Having reached the Supreme Abode, Lord Vishnu met Lord Shri Krishna who was surrounded by many devoted gopis. Lord Vishnu, who is the husband of Ramadevi, paid His obeisances to Lord Shri Krishna. Then He made the extra month also offer her obeisances at the lotus feet of Lord Shri Krishna, even though she was crying loudly. Immediately Shri Krishna asked, "Why is she crying? She is in Goloka Vrndavana, why is she crying?" Hearing these words from Lord Shri Krishna, Lord Vishnu got up from His seat and started explaining the whole miserable condition of the extra month. He begged Him to please protect this 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 1 am now going to share those words with all of you... Then Lord Purusottama Shri 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, 1 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 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 Purusottama month in this world. "Oh Janardana, now that she has imbued My qualities I Myself will become the husband and protector of this Purusottama 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. I am making this month desire- free, unlike other months, which are full of some desire or another. The worshiper of this month will be able to burn all his past sinful reactions to ashes, and after enjoying a blissful life in the material realm he will return back lo Godhead. "Oh Garudadhwaja," Lord Shri 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 Purusottama month and becoming a devotee one can easily cross over this material ocean and return back to Godhead. Observance of this Purusottama 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 Purusottama 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 Shri Krishna and His devotees, does not behave properly to brahmanas, makes enmity with others and who blasphemes the Purusottama month will go to hell for an unlimited period." Lord Shri Krishna continued, "How can a person make his life successful unless he performs devotional service in this Purusottama 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 some devotional service in this Purusottama month by: 1. Worshipping Me, Sri Krishna, by chanting My holy name. 2. Taking a bath in a holy river 3. Study of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita (particularly Chapter 15, Purushottama Yoga). 4. Giving in charity.
5. 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 Ram 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 Purusottama month Lord Shri Krishna glanced very mercifully upon Yudhisthira and Draupadi, and then began speaking to Arjuna as follows: "Oh lion among man, can you now understand the reason why you Pandavas are suffering? You did not acknowledge or honor the presence of Purusottama month, which has just recently finished. That month which is most dear to Vrndavana Chandra has passed, but you Pandavas were in the forest and did not worship Purusottama month. So now you are suffering. You have been following the ritualistic principles given to you by Vyasadeva, but unless you worship Purusottama month you cannot perform pure devotional service to Me." Lord Shri 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 mean time, 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 asrama 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 - 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. Durvasa rsi began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most auspicious Purusottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to Lord Shri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can become completely sinless. This Purusottama month is more glorious than all other months, including Kartik month. The
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glories of all other months is not even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purusottama 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 holy water of Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati [Jupiter] enters to Leo [lion]. 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 Purusottama 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. 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 beautiful one, 1 am not going to curse you because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless condition Being an ignorant
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child, you cannot understand the sastric conclusion. 1 am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purusottama 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 Shri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that place the brahmin girl [Draupadi in her previous birth] lost all of her opulences in a moment. Being an offender to Purusottama month, her body began to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided to worship Lord Siva who is known as Asutosa, one who is very easily pleased. This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to please Lord Siva, 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 Sankara then appeared before the brahmin girl because he was pleased by her worship and austerities. When Lord Siva appeared before the girl in his spiritual form, the girl immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord Siva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look beautiful. Seeing Lord Siva 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 Siva said, "Oh performer of austerity, all good fortune to you Now please ask some boon from me. 1 am pleased with you I shall grant whatever you want " Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Siva, the girl said, "Oh friend of the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me husband. Repeatedly speaking the same words "give me a husband" - five times, the girl then fell silent Then Lord Siva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five times, and so you will get five husbands." Hearing Lord Siva'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 Purusottama month by not following the kind advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is not difference between the body of Durvasa and mine All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the great saints like Narada, worship this Purusottama month in accord with the order of Lord Shri Krishna A devotee of Purusottama month achieves all good fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dhama, the abode of Lord Shri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purusottama .month, you will get five husbands in your next life." The girl became very remorseful, but Lord Siva immediately disappeared from the place After Lord Siva'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.
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Lord Shri 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 Rsi has now became famous in the world as Draupadi - she is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed Purusottama 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 [Shri 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 Purusottama month. A person who blasphemes Purusottama month and don't worship her, and doesn't worship Me, will never attain good fortune. This Purusottama 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 Purusottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you." Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way. Lord Shri Krishna then left that place for Dwaraka. After a few days, when Purusottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhistira reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Shri Krishna All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They worshiped Purusottama Shri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month The merit they achieved by performing Purusottama vrata meant they regained their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to Godhead by the grace of Lord Shri Krishna. Suta Goswami then told the sages of Naimisaranya, "Oh sages, now I am going to tell you another famous history in glorification of Purusottama month. It involves Maharaja Hadadhanwa of the famous sun dynasty. Long, long ago, there was a religious king named Citradhanwa, who was the ruler of Haihaya State He had a very qualified son named Hadadhanwa. Hadadhanwa was famous and loved all over the world because of his good qualities like faithfulness and strict adherence to religious principles At an early age Hadadhanwa became a learned scholar by pleasing his Guru. He studied all the Vedas, including all the Angas and Upanisads. After pleasing his Guru and paying him Daksina, Hadadhanwa returned back to his father's palace. His father Citradhanwa was very old, and so he decided to go to the forest and live a renounced life to please Shri Hari. Then Hadadhanwa became the king of Haihaya State. In due time Hadadhanwa achieved a beautiful daughter named Guna Sundari, he also had four other famous sons named Chitrabaka, Chitrabha, Maniman and Chitra-Kundala. Once this Hadadhanwa began to think of all his material opulences. He could understand that by the influence of previous pious activities he had achieved an undisturbed kingdom, a chaste and beautiful queen, dutiful sons etc Thinking in llns way, the next day the king went to tlic ibiest on horse back along with his army to hunt. In this forest, a deer which was being attacked by the arrows of the king ran for shelter in another neighboring forest, And the king followed her. After following the deer for a long way, the king became very tired and thirsty. He began to
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look for water, and, a little in the distance, he saw a beautiful pond full of clean sweet water. He rode there, got down from the horse's back and tied it to a nearby banyan tree. After quenching his thirst he took rest under the banyan tree. While the king was relaxing in this way, a beautiful parrot which was sitting on the tree started to speak to him. The parrot recited a verse again and again, which meant as follows: "Oh, deluded by your material opulences you are not even considering the real goal and achievement of human life How then can you cross the material ocean, the cycle of birth and death." After hearing these words from the mouth of the parrot again and again. King Hadadhanwa considered the advice very seriously. He started thinking that this parrot may be the great sage Sukadeva Goswami himself showing compassion towards him. In the meantime his army reached that place, and the parrot disappeared However, the king continued to ponder upon the words of the parrot. When King Hadadhanwa was thinking seriously about these words, the great sage Valmiki came to his palace. The king immediately got up from his seat and paid his obeisances to him. Valmiki asked, "Oh king, why do you look so morose. Please tell me every thing about your dilemma. I shall try my best to solve your problems." Feeling some consolation from the sage's words, King Hadadhanwa explained the verse spoken to him by the parrot in the forest. After listening to the king, the great sage Valmiki said, "Oh king, in your previous life you were born in a brahmin family, on the bank of the River Tambraparna in the state of Dravida. Your good name was Sudeva. You were a religious, truthful and self-satisfied brahmana. Your wife was Gautami, the daughter of Gautam Rsi. When you were in grhasta asrama you followed all the religious principles, but despite all these merits you had no child. One day you expressed you unhappiness to your wife. You told her, "Oh beloved one, our human birth is fruitless because we don't have a son who will deliver us from hell. Therefore I have decided to die immediately. Hearing your words, your wife advised you to worship Lord Jagannatha. She said to you, "Oh dear husband, please don't speak like this. You are a Vaishnava, so you should be more patient in dealing with such situations. If you desire a son, then just worship Lord Jagannatha and ask Him for a son as a benediction." Following her advice, you performed great austerities on the bank of the River Tambrapani for four thousand years. The demigods became fearful seeing your austerities, but seing your strong faith and devotion. Lord Hari appeared before you riding His carrier Garuda. Seeing the Lord in His four-handed form, you became very happy and paid your full obeisances at His lotus feet. The great sage Valmiki continued, "Oh king, after offering his prayers Sudeva brahmana sat down on the floor in front of Lord Hari. Hearing His prayers Lord Hari said, "Oh Sudeva, you have done great austerities to satisfy Me. And I am satisfied. Please ask some boons of Me what ever you want. Sudeva brahmana said, "Oh Lord, if You are pleased upon me then please give me a qualified son." Hearing His brahmana's words, Lord Hari told him "Oh Sudeva, by reading your forehead I can understand that because of your prarabdha karma you
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are not supposed to have a son for the next seven births. Therefore please ask for some other boon. Hearing these words from Lord Hari the brahmana immediately fell unconscious. He fell down on the ground like a dry old tree. Seeing the condition of her husband, Gautami, the wife of Sudeva also started crying loudly. Observing the most pathetic condition of this brahmana couple, Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu, became sympathetic. He also requested Lord Hari to grant them a son. Hearing Garuda's request Lord Hari empowered him to give such a boon to the brahmin couple. So Garuda started fanning the unconscious Sudeva. Then he told the brahmin couple, "Oh fortunate ones, following the order of my master Lord Hari, I am giving a boon to you, that you will get a son very soon, and he will be as qualified as myself." In this way, after giving the boon Lord Hari disappeared from that place on His carrier Garuda. After some time had passed Gautami gave birth to a son named Sukadeva. From his very childhood, Sukadeva exhibited wonderful godly qualities and always satisfied his guru, and all of his superiors, and friends. Once the great sage Devala, who was shining like the sun, came to their asrama Sudeva and his wife prayed to him and gave him a nice asana on which to comfortably sit. Their son Sukadeva also paid his obeisances to the great sage. Seeing the face of Sukadeva, Devala Rsi became very happy. But then suddenly he became grave. He spoke to the brahmin couple, "This child Sukadeva has all the good qualities of a great person, but there is one serious disqualification. This boy will drown at the age of twelve." The sage then left the place, and the brahmin couple became very unhappy. However, remembering the all-merciful Lord Vishnu, they continued on in their day to day life. One day their son Sukadeva was taking bath in a nearby tank with his other friends. Following the dictates of unavoidable providence, the boy went into the deep water and drowned. The friends of Sukadeva informed his parents about death of their beloved son. They started crying very loudly, and coming to the tank, they repeatedly kissed their dead son and lamented. Sudeva took the dead body of his son on his lap and started crying, "Oh son, get up! We are waiting for you. Unless you get up and talk to us, we are both going to give up our lives." Speaking in this way, the brahmana started chanting the Holy Name of Lord Hari. When the brahmin couple were lamenting and constantly chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, an untimely rain came along with a heavy wind. The whole world became filled with water, but the brahmin couple were oblivious to externals because of their lamentation for their son. They were constantly chanting the Holy name of the Lord. In this way, a whole month passed away. And that month was Purusottama month. Unknowingly the brahmin couple had worshiped that most sacred month, the month most beloved to Lord Shri Krishna. Being pleased by their austerities Lord Shri Krishna appeared before them and then the rain immediately stopped. Seeing their Lord, the brahmin couple immediately paid their full obeisances keeping their son side. Lord Shri Krishna was very, very pleased because they had worshiped Purusottama month [unknowingly]. The Lord said, "Oh fortunate Sudeva, your son Sukadeva will live with you for twelve thousand years in this material world to give you
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all pleasure and at the end of that time both of you will return back to Me in Goloka Dhama." As soon as Lord Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had finished his words their son got up. It was just like he had been sleeping for a long time. Seeing their son alive again, the brahmin couple became extremely happy. In the mean time the demigods started showering flowers from heaven. Then Sukadeva paid his obeisances to his parents and Lord Shri Hari. Garuda, the carrier of the Lord, also became very happy seeing the brahmin couple with their son All these incidents seemed extraordinary to Sudeva brahmana, and so he asked Lord Shri Krishna why He gave them back their son. Lord Shri Krishna, who is controlled by His devotees, then spoke to Sudeva, "Oh fortunate one, don't you know the reason why I am so pleased with you? Both you and your wife observed fasting and worship during the whole of Purusottama month - and that month is most dear to Me. When both of you were lamenting for your son by observing full fast and chanting my Holy Name is was the Holy Purusottama month. You worshiped me throughout the entire Purusottama month, and that pleased Me very much. Once Lord Brahma was measuring the value of Purusottama month against all the other pious austerities and religious activities mentioned in Vedas. However, the value of Purusottama month is far more valuable than all types ofVedic religious activities. Lord Shri Krishna continued, "Any human being who observes My Purusottama month is ever the most fortunate one in all three worlds. At the end of his life, he will return to My abode Goloka." Saying these words, the Supreme Lord left that place riding His carrier Garuda. Then Sage Valmiki told King Hadadhanwa, "Oh king, your question has now been answered. The parrot who advised you in the forest was Sukadeva, your beloved son in your previous life. Sukadeva achieved his perfection by the mercy of the Lord, but he was feeling some sympathy for you [Hadadhanwa], his father in his previous life. Seeing you engaged in a materialistic way of life, he reminded you of your duty to worship Lord Hari in forthcoming Purusottama month. By such merit you will return back to Godhead." Then King Hadadhanwa eagerly asked Sage Valmiki about Purusottama month "Oh sage, please tell m. How should one observe this most fortunate Purusottama month which is most dear to Lord Shri Krishna? Who is the worshipable Lord for this month? What are the processes to worship this month and observe austerities? Please tell me all these secrets. The great sage Valmiki replied, "Oh king, one should get up early in the morning [in Brahma Muhurta] thinking about the Supreme Lord Hari who is also known as the Param Brahman Then he should finish his morning duties, take bath, do pranayama and offer prayers to the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna. Lord Shri Krishna with His consort Shri Radhika are the worshipable Deities for this Purusottama month. One should continuously chant gayatri until the sun rises in the east. Then one should pay his obeisances and offer [Arghya] water, flowers etc. to the sun-god, who is also known as Surya Narayana. After finishing all of these morning duties one should start worshiping Lord Hari.
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A worshiper of Purusottama month should take a vow to remain truthful, not to speak any lie. He should remain very peaceful, and not be engaged in any violent activities. He should collect some fresh cow dung and mixing it with some water, he should purify a certain area in the shape of a circle. Within that purified circular area, he should draw an eight-petal lotus flower with the help of some rice powder. Then he should place a new pot full of sacred water collected from different holy rivers, or he can call all the different tirthas or river to enter that pot of water. The water pot may be made of gold, silver, copper or of earth, according to the worshiper's financial ability. After placing the Holy water pot properly he should call, "Oh river Ganges, Godavari, Kaveri, Saraswati, Jamuna, etc. Please enter to this sacred pot and also purify my body and mind." Then he should worship that water pot with the help of sandalwood pulp, different other scented things, flowers etc. He should place a copper plate covered with a new yellow cloih upon that water pot. Then one should place Deities of Shri Radha Krishna upon that pot After placing the Deities properly, one should start worshiping Them with faith and devotion. The great sage Valmiki continued to speak again, "He should purify the Deities by a fire sacrifice and establish Them with life though the Vedic process, otherwise the Deities made of metal remain a lump of metal only. A brahmana who is qualified with Vedic knowledge should perform these activities. First of all he should chant Purusa Sukta, starting from "om tad vishnur param padam", followed by the vijaya mantra of Purusottama. By placing his thumb on his heart, he should chant all these mantras to establish the Deities with life. He should take a vow that "1 shall live for this Deity, or 1 shall die for this Deity." He should chant many other mantras prescribed in Yajurveda adding 'swaha" at the end of each mantra in this way. He should meditate upon Lord Purusottama, Shri Krishna. Then he should speak like this. "Oh Purusottama! I am offering this noble seat to Shri Shri Radha Krishna. The holy water brought by me from different holy rivers including Ganges is for Your pleasure. Oh Lord, please accept this water for washing Your feet." Saying this, one should offer padya. Then one should offer acamana to the Deities. Then one should bathe the Deities with pancamrta. Again offering acamana, to fulfill one's ultimate desire and attain perfection one should offer new yellow silken, clothes to the Deities. Then he should pray, "Oh Purusottama, please save me from this nescience, this cycle of birth and death." One should offer brahminical threads with the new cloth also. Then he should chant, "Oh Lord! Please accept this sweetly scented sandalwood pulp which is prepared by me in careful way." Then he should offer sandalwood pulp to different parts of the bodies of the Deities. He should pray, "Oh Purusottama, please accept these scented and unbroken flowers carefully collected by me." Then he should offer the flowers to the Deities. He should worship the different parts of body of the Lord by chanting the mantras consisting of twenty- four different names of Lord Vishnu starting from kesavaya namah. In this way one should worship Lord Puaisottama properly.
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Then king Hadadhanwa inquired- "Oh sage! What should be the prescribed foods for a performer of Purusottama vrata. What should one not eat in this month9 Please explain everything very clearly to me." Sage Valmiki said, "Oh King! Listen, I am now explaining everything to you in brief. In purified consciousness one should collect, wheat, rice, sugar candy, sesame seeds, ginger, green leafs, banana, cucumber, rock salt, butter, ghee, curd, mango, potato etc, and should cook them without oil. One should not eat meat, fish etc. or any kinds of non-vegetarian things. One should not use mustard, or mustard oil, or any kind of intoxicant in his daily fare. One should prepare one's food in a purified way, in pure consciousness, and one should not cook in an iron pot. One should not speak any nonsense, nor think any nonsense, while preparing prasadam. One should avoid any type of contaminated food prepared in a contaminated or improper way. In Purusottama month one should not blaspheme the demigods, the Veda or any literature in pursuance of the Vedic version, brahmanas, the spiritual master, cows, and person [man or woman] who performs Purusottama vrata, the king and all other saintly people. One should try his best to please Lord Vishnu by performing various austerities to the best of his ability. A worshiper of Purusottama month should follow the above rules and regulations in the month of Kartika and Magha month as well, otherwise he could not get the full benefit from performing his Purusottama vrata. If possible one can worship Purusottama month by observing a full fast from food throughout the month If he cannot observe full fast, he could live by drinking ghee or drinking some milk which he should collect by begging. If he cannot do this, he can simply eat some fruits An intelligent person should take a vow according to his capacity to observe and follow it. One should not break his vow in the middle of it. If one worships the Lord in His Saligram form, offering Him one lakh ofTulasi leaves, then he will achieve such unlimited merit and success that even Lord Brahma cannot describe it. If one worships Purusottama month in this way, he will achieve more glories than performing one hundred horse sacrifices. The performer of Vedic karma-kanda yajnas achieves Swarga loka, but the worshiper of Purusottama achieves Goloka Dhama. All the holy places of the world come to live in the body of a person who performs Purusottama vrata. King Hadadhanwa asked, "Oh great sage' What are the benefits one achieves by offering a lamp to Lord Purusottama in this month9" The great sage Valmiki then began speaking enthusiastically, "There was king named Citrabahu who ruled over the kingdom of Bhagyanagar. He was a great devotee of Krishna, and possessed all good qualities like truth fulness, nonviolence, forgiveness, cultured behavior, kindness, respect towards saintly people and brahmanas, and knowledge of all the religious principles mentioned in the sastra. Once the great sage Agastya came to his palace. Seeing the great Rsi, the king paid his obeisances even though from a distance. When the sage came closer, he gave him a nice place to sit. He then worshiped him with great respect and very pleasingly said, "Today my life has become successful because a great devotee of Shri Krishna has entered my palace. He sincerely tried his best to please the sage. The king then began to question Agastya Muni about his past life
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He said, "Oh great sage, in my present life I am enjoying such an undisturbed kingdom, and 1 have a beautiful and chaste wife, and nice sons and daughters. What pious activities did 1 perform in my past life to give such an enjoyable result in my present life." Agastya Muni replied, "Oh fortunate one, please listen carefully to me 1 will now explain your previous life to you. In your previous life your name was Manigriva. You were a most cruel, non-believer of God and a person of very bad character. But your wife [who is also your present wife] was a very pious and religious lady. She was very chaste and beautiful, and always engaged to please you. Your bad character and cruel behavior meant no one in society liked you. Every one broke their relationship with you. Even the king of your country took away everything from you - including your wealth and property. In this way, being rejected by society, you began to live in the forest with your chaste wife. Once when you were going to hunt for some food, you came across a man who had fallen down unconscious on the forest road. His name was Sage Ugradeva. Seeing the brahmin Sage Ugradeva in such an unconscious and helpless condition, some mercy arose in your heart Sage Ugradeva was on his way to Prayag tirtha, but because of lasting and the influence of an unbearable hot sun he fell down unconscious in the forest. You brought him to your small cottage, and both you and your wife began to serve him by fanning him, giving him some water to drink and cooling his forehead. After a little time the sage came back to consciousness. He looked around in wonder. Then you described everything to him - how he had fainted, and you had brought him to your cottage. You then offered some fresh water to the sage He was very pleased with you and asked about your impoverished living condition. The great sage Ugradeva inquired, "Oh Manigriva, why are you are suffering so much here in the forest. Please tell me everything about your past situation, so that I can find some way to bring you good fortune in the future." You then humbly explained your wretched life and asked him to find some solution to your miseries. Ugradeva listened attentively and then said, "Oh great soul, you will definitely become famous in this world because you have served me so well as your guest. So to eradicate your previous sinful reactions, I am now going to explain to you the simplest and easiest way for you to attain all good fortune. In three month's time the sacred Purusottama month will begin. In order to please the Supreme Lord Purusottama, you should daily offer a lamp to the Lord. By doing this all your misfortune will vanish. The best lamp to offer is a ghee lamp, but because you are living in the forest you can offer a lamp made from sesame oil. When you attain some wealth, you must then offer a ghee lamp." Having spoken in this way Sage Ugradeva left that place for Prayag, constantly chanting the Holy Name of Shri Krishna. Following the order of Sage Ugradeva, Manigriva and his wife offered an oil lamp to Purusottama regularly throughout that sacred month. After some time, the couple left their bodies and attained Swargaloka due to the merit they attained from offering a lamp to Lord Purusottama. After enjoying many years in the heavenly planets, the same couple came back again to this material world and achieved a very glorious position in society as King Citrabahu and his queen. Agastya Muni then said to King Citrabahu, "Oh king, such was
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your previous life, and such is the glory of simply offering an oil lamp to Lord Purusottama in the sacred month of Purusottama. A person who offers a ghee lamp to the Lord daily in this month receives unlimited merit Oh king, please do not doubt that such great merits are achieved simply by offering a lamp to the Lord." Then the great sage Valmiki continued, "In this way, after explaining the previous life of King Citrabahu, and being worshiped by him, Agastya Muni became very pleased and blessed him the king He then left the palace. King Hadadhanva further inquired li'oiii Sage Valmiki, "0 saintly one, please tell me how to perform udyapana - the bonafide breaking of Purusottama vrata. Which rules and regulations should one follow? Which are the special days to finish one's vow of worship to Lord Shri Krishna in Purusottama month." The great sage replied, "In Purusottama month, one can break his worship and vows on the fourteenth day, ninth day or on the eighth day of the dark fortnight. Early in the morning one should leave his bed. After performing his morning duties, he should invite qualified brahmanas and give them charity according to his ability. If it is not possible to invite thirty brahmanas, one should invite five or seven according to his capacity. At mid-day one should purify a certain area with cow dung and water. Then he should draw a round circle with the help of rice powder. He should bring four new pots and place them in the four directions with a coconut upon each of them. The pots should first be filled with water. He should then establish Lord Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha in each pot serially, and invite four qualified brahmanas to sit inside the circle and chant the holy name of Krishna. By presenting new clothes, two sets for each brahmana, he should welcome them and humbly request them to chant the Holy Name He should also present each of them a ring to wear. To purify himself, he should perform the purifying processes mentioned in the sastra. When the invited brahmanas are engaged in their chanting, one should start his worship to Lord Purusottama with his wife. He should engage the brahmanas to separately chant the names of Chaturbhuja, [Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha] in the four corners of the circle. Four different lamps should be offered in the four directions. Then one should offer Arghya [oblations]. And while performing worship by giving Arghya, one should chant the following mantra: "0 Supreme Lord! 0 Sanatana, 0 Purusottama, 0 Hari, I am paying my obeisances unto You. Please, along with Your beloved Radha, accept my offerings. 1 am paying my obeisances unto You, Shri Shri Radha Shyamasundara, whose bodily color is like a beautiful dark blue cloud, and who wears effulgent yellow garments on His body most gracefully." In this way one should pay his obeisances to Lord Purusottama. Then he should offer flowers [puspanjali] to Shri Radha Krishna and pay his full obeisances to the Lord along with his wife. Next he should give some charity to the invited brahmanas according to his ability. The brahmanas should be pleased to the best of his ability. He should also offer some new clothes and ornaments in the name of Lord Siva and goddess Parvati, and offer two pairs of new shoes to them. The best of all kinds of charity is to present Shrimad Bhagavatam to a qualified brahmana. By presenting Shrimad Bhagavatam, which is the literary incarnation of Lord Purusottama, to a
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Vaishnava devotee of the Lord, one can deliver his forefathers for one crore of lifetime's succession. All his forefathers will attain Goloka Dhama and live blissfully with Lord Purusottama. After performing the above concluding ceremonies and worship, one should break his vows and worship." Sage Valmiki then said, "Now I will explain how to avoid the reaction of offences committed during the Purusottama month. One should feed some qualified brahmanas and present them some gold to nullify his reactions at the end of the Purusottama month. If one has taken his meal on Amavasya day, he should present cows along with other daksina to qualified brahmanas. One who has not taken his bath properly in a holy place should present some milk and curd to brahmanas. If some one eats fruits, oil or ghee during Purusottama month then he should give the same in charity to brahmanas at the end of Purusottama month If someone eats rice and wheat, he should give the same in charity at the end of the month. If someone sleeps on the floor during Purusottama month, he should break his vow by presenting in charity a nice bed along with a pillow to a worthy brahmana. A person who eats on leaf plates during Purusottama month, should feed some brahmanas with ghee and sugar One who did not cut his nails and hair during Purusottama month should give a mirror in charity to a brahmana. One who has offered lamps throughout the month should give some new lamps and new pots in charity to brahmanas. A person who broke any of the rules during the Purusottama month should feed brahmanas with different kinds of sweet juice. Anyone who thus observes Purusottama month in a faithful and devotional way will attain Goloka at the end of his life." Having narrated everything about Purusottama month Sage Valmiki then told King Hadadhanva, "Oh King, now I am going to the river Sarayu to take a bath." The king then worshiped him in a very submissive way to please him. After blessing the king with all good fortune Sage Valmiki left that place for Sarayu. When Sage Valmiki left the palace, the king along with his queen left his kingdom and started to live in a simple and peaceful way in the forest. When the sacred month Purusottama appeared, both husband and wife performed their worship exactly as they had heard of it from Sage Valmiki. At the end of Purusottama month, a celestial aeroplane came to carry King Hadadhanwa and his queen to Goloka. Lord Narayana then told Narada, "Oh Narada, in this world there is nothing equal to Purusottama month. The result or merit one gets from performing severe austerities for one thousand births is in no way comparable to the merit of worshiping Purusottama month. There is a nice story in this connection. The story of a monkey who was delivered from this material ocean and attained Goloka simply by taking a holy bath for three days during Purusottama month. The sins of his previous one crore of lifetimes were destroyed." Hearing these words, the sages of Naimisaranya asked Suta Goswami, "Oh great sage, please tell us in detail about this monkey's past life. Who was that monkey? Where and how did he take his bath during Purusottama month? What was he eating during the month? What results did he receive by worshiping Purusottama month unknowingly?"
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Suta Goswami then continued to recount what Lord Narayana had said, "In the province ofKerala there was a greedy brahmana. His given name was Citra Sharma, but because of his greedy and cruel nature, people called him Kadarya (greedy). Being banished from his village, he went to the forest. There he made a pious friend who was a gardener. After sometime that gardener wanted to visit some holy places, and so he asked Kadarya to look after his fruit garden. The gardener was a simple person, and so he left everything under the care of his new friend Kadarya. However, when the gardener left, Kadarya started eating all the best fruits in the garden. When the gardener returned and asked him about the situation, Kadarya told him that the monkeys and birds had destroyed all his best fruits. In this way, Kadarya cheated his gardener friend. After sometime Kadarya died and was forced to accept the body of a monkey due to his previous sinful activities and cheating his gardener friend Though he was a most sinful person, he had also achieved some merit in his previous life by seeing an Udyapana (concluding ceremony of Purusottama month vrata) performed by a vaisya merchant who had sincerely worshiped that sacred month He had also worshiped Purusottama month in his greediness in the hope ofaquiring some wealth from that same vaisya merchant These merits meant that Kadarya in his monkey body, took his birth in a holy place on the bank of a sacred lake known as Mriga Thirtha. Mriga Tirtha was a very beautiful place. The trees were full of fruits and flowers. The water in the lake was very sweet and cool, and very good for health. That place was very beautiful and pious because of a boon given by Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After conquering Lanka, He was very pleased with His monkey army, and so the Lord had given this sacred place to them for their enjoyment. From the beginning of his birth Kadarya the monkey was suffering from various pitta diseases Therefore blood was always coming out from his mouth. He could not eat anything But due to his nature lie was jumping from one tree to another, picking fruits and then throwing them down. In the meantime, Purusottama month arrived. During that sacred month, the monkey's suffering increased. He could not eat anything, and so he observed a full fast unknowingly during this month. One day, while jumping from one tree to another, the monkey fell down into the lake of Mriga Tirtha. After five days, he died, and when he died, a celestial aeroplane came and took him to Goloka Dhama. He recieved a very beautiful spiritual body and lived happily in Goloka. Seeing the amazing good fortune of this monkey, all the demigods started to glorify Purusottama month. Then Narada asked "0 Lord, whatever You have explained previously in principle is meant to guide one's activities for the first part of the day during Purusottama month. Please elaborate on other favorable daily regulations and activities." Lord Narayana then said, "After finishing his noon duties one should welcome any guests who come to his door A guest who comes to him when he is engaged in milking his cows, should be worshiped very properly and fully satisfied by charity given according to one's ability. After satisfying one's guests, one should take his meal (prasadam) very peacefully in a purified place facing the east. He should first chant the mantra "swaha om" and then begin to
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honor his meal with the help of his tongue (i e, without chewing). Then one should eat any sweet items in peaceful mind. One should not eat any food that is in any way contaminated. While engaged in honoring prasadam, one should not discuss anything material, nor blaspheme anyone. An intelligent person should then engage himself in listening to Krishna katha from a pure soul. In this way, one should always meditate on Krishna and discuss his pastimes with other devotees. When evening comes, one should take a bath and perform his regular evening duties. After finishing his evening prayers and offering some oblations to the fire god, he should sit down and honor prasadam with his followers or family members. Sometime shortly after this, he should take rest thinking of Lord Shri Krishna within his heart. If a grhastha, he should perform his home duties in a truthful and peaceful way. He should not commit violence to others and should be merciful towards saintly people as well as the poor. Protection of animals, truthful speech, mercifulness, and nonviolence are some of the important principles a grhastha should follow. Narada then said, "0 Lord, please describe some thing of the qualities and activities of a chaste wife in general, and of she who offers auspicious assistance to her husband in his performance of Purusottama vrata." Lord Narayana replied, " 0 Narada, please listen carefully. I will now describe in general some of the good qualities of a chaste wife. Whether one's husband is beautiful or ugly, has all good qualities or all bad, is either healthy or diseased, peaceful or angry in nature, a drunkard, illiterate or well educated, a chaste wife should pay proper respect to her husband and other superiors like her mother-in-law, fatherin-law, etc. She should co-operate with her husband in the performance of all sorts of religious and pious activities. She should save something from their family's daily expenses for future emergencies. An ideal wife should be very intelligent in the performance of her daily duties and her dealings with family members. She should not give anything in charity to relatives or other people without the knowledge other husband. She should not speak to any man other than her husband in a private place. All of the above principles should be followed by a woman who desires to be chaste Lord Narayana then continued, "There is no one more worshipabie for a wife than her husband. By pleasing her devotee husband, a woman achieves all perfection. Once upon a time goddess Parvati worshiped Purusottama month on the advice other husband, Lord Siva. She then asked her revered husband what is the best thing to give in charity to conclude one's worship of Purusottama month successfully. Lord Siva replied that one should fill a bell metal pot with thirty malpuras, and then bind the pot with seven new threads. To conclude the Purusottama vrata successfully, one should give this bell metal pot to a worthy brahamana. If someone is very rich, he or she should give thirty such pots in charity to thirty qualified brahmanas. Hearing these instructions from Lord Siva, goddess Parvati became very happy. She concluded her Purusottama vrata by giving thirty bell metal pots full of malpuras to thirty qualified brahmanas, and in this way became successful in observing her
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Purusottama vrata." Suta Goswami then continued to relate this discussion between Lord Narayana and Narada to the sages of Naimisaranya. He said, "0 brahmanas, the great sage Narada Muni became very pleased by hearing all about Purusottama month from Lord Narayana. He paid his obeisances again and again to Him and began to speak, "Oh, this Purusottama month is the best of all months, it is best of all kinds ofvratas and austerities. Even if one just hears the glories of Purusottama month faithfully, he will achieve devotional service to the Supreme Lord Purusottama, and all of his sinful reactions will be immediately nullifiec. And one who performs the whole vrata and worships Purusottama month properly will achieve unlimited merit and thus attain Goloka. Narada Muni then told Lord Narayana, "0 Lord, now 1 am fully satisfied and my heart and my mind are completely in bliss. Therefore I do not need to hear anything more on this topic. All glories to You!" After so explaining these glories of Purusottama month, Shrila 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 obeisances and went to the Ganges. The sages of Naimisaranya then spoke among themselves, "Oh, this sacred Purusottama month is most glorious, and its history is ancient. It is so merciful that it fulfills all a devotee's desires just like a desire tree. How glorious is Purusottama month!" This month is considered to be very auspicious (adhika = best or greatest), as the Supreme Lord Himself appearing in a Calendrical Form to rectify our astrological and astronomical calculations.
SIMPLIFIED WORSHIP FOR THE PURUSHOTTAMA MONTH

1. Worship the Deity of Sri Radha Krishna in your home with love and devotion. 2. Offer daily puja by chanting the maha-mantra for Kali-yuga: 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 15, Purushottama Yoga). 4. Daily offer a ghee lamp to Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Sita Rama or Laksmi Narayana and offer a Tulasi leaf to the lotus feet of Sri Hari. 5. Give charity to qualified brahmanas. Engage in Go-Seva and distribute prasadam. 6. Bathe in the holy rivers and associate with saintly devotees.
ITS ORIGIN AND OCCURANCE
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The calendar date that we are so familiar with in our daily life is based on the solar calendar. The English calendar is a solar calendar. The basis for the solar calendar is the rotation of the earth around the Sun. It takes the earth approximately 365 (or 365days, 48min and 47.5seconds to be more precise Vedic calculation is always precise) to complete its rotation around the Sun. One Solar year surya varsh = 365.2587 days. The English calendar that most of us use today divides the 365 days of earths period of rotation around the Sun in twelve months. The leap year, which occurs once every four years, accounts for day per year. Similar to the solar calendar a lunar calendar is also popular and widely used in the Asian countries such as China, Pacific-rim countries, Middle East countries, and India. The lunar calendar, which is believed to have originated in India, has been around for a very long time, even long before the solar calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the moons rotation around the earth. The lunar month corresponds to the one complete rotation of the moon around the earth. Since this period of rotation of the moon around the earth varies, the duration of the lunar month also varies. On average, the lunar month has about 29 days. In addition to the moons rotation around the earth, the lunar year is based on the earths rotation around the Sun. In general, the lunar year has twelve lunar months of approximately 354 days (1 Lunar year - candra varsh = 29.5305 X 12 = 354.366 days ), Since the calendar is based on the phases of the Moon, the transits take 354 days, 8 hours,48 min and 33.55 seconds. This creates a difference of 10 days, 21 hours and 35.16 seconds from the actual solar year. 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. Since this is a floating month, no celebrations are held in this month. This extra month is known by various names: Adhik Maas, Mal Maas, Purushottama Maas, Malimmacha. This is the thirteenth month of the lunar calendar. Vasishtha Siddhanta (the treatise of Vasishtha) mentions that Adhik Maas or the extra lunar month occurs after every 32 months, 16 days and 8 Ghadis (a Ghadi is a period of 24 minutes and 60 Ghadis equal 24 hours) which is seven extra months occurring every 19 years. Even after this adjustment is made there is still a small difference which adds up every 141 years and becomes a Ksaya month sandwiched between two Purushottama months.
ACTIVITIES TO BE DONE DURING THIS MONTH

In this month one is supposed to live simply, increase our chanting, hear Hari katha sing bhajans and worship of Sri Krishna clad in a yellow robe accompanied by Sri Radhika. The Puranas also sing high praises about Adhik Maas and indicate Puja, readings of scriptures etc. during Adhik Maas. Selfless actions, without the expectations of results, are to be performed during Adhik Maas. Mal Maas (Adhik Maas) is the month for Vishnu puja. The
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recitation of Srimad Bhagavat Purana and of the Bhagavad Gita during this month will produce top meritorious results. In addition to singing and listening to the praises of the Lord (Vishnu), undertake Adhik Maas Vrat also. This Vrat is to begin from the first day and ends on the last day of Adhik Maas. Waking up during the hours of Brahma Muhurta (between 4 am and 6 am), after ablutions, place a vigraha of Radha-Krishna Sita-Rama or Lakshmi-Narayana and perform Sodashopachara puja. If there is a temple nearby then perform puja of whatever deities are usually worshipped therein. During the entire month of Mal Maas Vrat eat Sattvic food (vegetarian meals, milk, fruits, nuts, grains, vegetables). One meal at night is recommended. It is written in the Bhavishyottara Purana that fasting or eating once a day should commence on the first day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and end on the last day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha). According to ability, distribute to charities and do good deeds.
BENEFITS OF OBSERVING PURUSHOTTAMA MAASA VRATA

The ancient sages declared that when the moon is in the sun's aura (mandal), and if at this time, the sun transmigrates from one zodiac (sign) to another, it destroys the merit of the yagna, or other rituals. Therefore auspicious rituals should not be performed during this period. Instead holy acts and deeds such as bathing (in sacred rivers), donation, listening to kathas, etc., for propitiating God, should be performed, rather than idling away time. It is written in the Bhavishyottara Purana that Sri Krishna Himself has said regarding Adhik Maas Vrat that by carrying out the Vrat with the sole aim of worshipping the Supreme Lord Krishna, through fasting, cleanliness, charity, puja etc. merits are acquired which produce unfailing results and all sorts of calamities are overcome. All the holy places in the world come to reside in your body. One who observes Purushottama Month with faith and devotion will go back home, Back To Godhead to serve Radha-Govinda eternally in Goloka Vrindavana at the end of his life!
PADMINI - VISUDDHA EKADASI

from Skanda Purana Shri SUta Goswami said, Yudhishthira MahArAja said, Oh JanArdana, what is the name of the EkAdasii 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 Personality of Godhead, Lord Shri Krishna, replied, Oh PANDava, the meritorious EkAdasii 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 to My personal abode. This extra-month EkAdasii 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
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EkAdasii. Lotus-eyed Lord Krishna became very pleased by the enquiry of Yudhishthira and spoke to him the following pleasing words: Oh king, please listen carefully as I narrate to you the process of fasting on PadminI EkAdasii, which is rarely done even by great sages. One should begin his fast on the Dashami, the day before EkAdasii, by not eating any Urad dAhl, pink dAhl, 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 EkAdasii the devotee should rise early in the morning but should not 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 obeisances unto you. Kindly purify me so I may worship the Supreme Lord, Shri 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 obeisances and purify me. Oh AmalakI fruits, please accept my humble obeisances. 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 Shri Shri 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
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EkAdasii 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 low-born 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 criticise 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 EkAdasii, 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 EkAdasii night, singing and playing musical instruments for the transcendental pleasure of the Supreme Person. During the first quarter of the EkAdasii night the devotee should offer some coconut meat to his worshippable Deity (Isthadeva), during the second part he should offer soothing bel fruit, 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 EkAdasii 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 a VAjapeyayajna. 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 EkAdasii. 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasiis. The EkAdasii that occurs during the dark part of the extra month, which is known as ParamA EkAdasii, 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 KartaviryArjuna, 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 KartaviryArjuna defeat Ravana, who was so skilled in battle? Pulastya Muni replied, Oh great Narada, during the TretAyuga, KArtavirya
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(KArtaviryArjunas 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, just as a hungry man can never really enjoy his senses. 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 penances 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 ones 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, lotuseyed lady, usually there are twelve months in a year, but after every thirty-two months an extra month is added, and the two EkAdasiis that occur during this month are called Padmini EkAdasii and ParamA EkAdasii. 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 Personality of Godhead, Shri 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 EkAdasii 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
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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 EkAdasiis that occur during this month are the most dear to Me of all EkAdasiis. You have followed My devotee AnasUyas 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 hearts 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 KArtaviryArjuna 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 mothers strict and faithful observance of PadminI EkAdasii, he could defeat even the dreaded RAvana. This is not at all surprising, Oh NAradji, for KArtaviryArjuna was the fulfillment of the benediction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. With these words, Pulastya Muni departed. The Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna, concluded, Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as you have enquired from Me, I have explained to you the power of this special EkAdasii. Oh best of kings, whoever observes this fast will surely attain to My personal abode. And similarly, if you want all your desires fulfilled, you should do likewise. Hearing these words from the mouth of his beloved Keshava, DharmarAja (Yudhishthira) became filled with joy, and when the time came he faithfully observed PadminI EkAdasii. SUta Goswami concluded, Oh sage Saunaka, I have explained to you all about this meritorious EkAdasii. Anyone who devotedly fasts on the EkAdasiis that occur during the extra, leap-year months, carefully following all the rules, becomes glorious and happily goes back to Godhead. And one who merely hears or reads about these EkAdasiis will also obtain great merit and ultimately enter the abode of Lord Shri Hari.. Thus ends the narration of the glories of PadminI EkAdasii, the EkAdasii that occurs during the light fortnight of the extra, leap-year month of Purushottama, from the Skanda PurANa.
PARAMA - SHUDDHA EKADASI

from Skanda Purana
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Shri Yudhishthira MahArAja said, Oh Supreme Lord, what is the name and character of that EkAdasii 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 Personality of Godhead, Lord Shri Krishna, replied, Oh Yudhishthira, this meritorious day is called ParamA EkAdasii. 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 EkAdasii that occurs during the light part of this month of Kartika. That is to say, on this EkAdasii one should worship Me, 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 are never successful. - na vandhu madhye dhanahina jivanam. 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 endeavour a person cannot satisfy his desires or meet his needs. Thus wise men have said that enthusiastic endeavour is always auspicious. The revealed scriptures declare, udyoginah siNgham upaiti laxmi daivena deyati kA purushAh vadantii: One who endeavours 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. purva-janmarjitam vidya
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purva-janmarjitam dhanam purva-janmarjitam kanya agre dhavati dhavatih 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 fold. In Manu-nitii, Manu MahArAja says, bhAgyaM phalanti sarvatra na cha vidyA na cha paurusham: Whatever is predestined by ViddhAtA, the fortune-maker, will surely happen. Ones 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 ones 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-inlaw, 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 criticised severely! The Nitii-shastras says, vinaAshraye na tishthanti paNDitAH vanitA latAH: Without proper shelter and support, the following three things cannot survive; a learned man/brahmin, a woman, and a creeper. Therefore the modern womens liberation movement is a total failure. Furthermore, the GaruDa PurANa states, pati dharma pati sargah pati hi paramam tapah patiri pritim apanne priyante sarva devata A chaste woman always thinks that pleasing her spiritually situated husband is her heavenly pleasure, utmost duty, and greatest austerity. If her husband is pleased (as Kulottama, Vishnu personified), she thinks the Supreme lord and all the demigods are pleased. The Supreme Lord includes all the devatas (demigods). PavitrA continued, Please, therefore, stay with me and be satisfied with whatever wealth we get. 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
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brahmin SumedhA and his wife stood up before him and then offered him their respectful obeisances. 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 brahmanas, please tell us how we can be free of this perpetual misery brought on by poverty. Oh merciful one, kindly describe 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 Personality of Godhead, 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 EkAdasii. It is the topmost day of Lord Vishnu, hence the name ParamA. This extra month (Purushottam Mase), dark fortnight EkAdasii 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). When Lord Shiva saw how strictly he had fasted, Shiva became very pleased and made Kuvera the treasurer of heaven. Also, king Harishchandra fasted on this EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii, following all the appropriate rules and regulations and remaining awake all night. Lord Shri Krishna continued, Oh Yudhishthira, son of PANDu, in this way KauNDinya Muni mercifully and affectionately instructed PavitrA about the ParamA EkAdasii fast. Then he said to SumedhA, On the DvAdasii, the day after EkAdasii, 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
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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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii, 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 Padminii EkAdasii, destroys all a persons 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 EkAdasiis, which are very dear to Lord Hari, commits suicide and suffers in the cycle of 8,400,000 species. 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 EkAdasii.
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Lord Shri Krishna concluded, Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as you have requested, I have described to you the wonderful merit one can attain by fasting on the EkAdasii named ParamA, which occurs during the dark part of the extra, leap-year month. You should observe this fast if at all possible. King Yudhishthira did exactly as Lord Krishna had instructed, and so did all his brothers and their wife, Draupadi. After enjoying pleasures rarely achieved in the material world, they returned home, back to Godhead. Whoever, after taking a proper bath, observes a fast on these two extra-month EkAdasiis will go to heaven and finally attain to the abode of Shri 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 EkAdasii, the EkAdasii that occurs during the dark fortnight of the extra, leap-year month, from the Skanda PurANa. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
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Adhik Masa 19042010

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All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

GLORIES OF PURUSOTTAMA ADHIK MASA

GLORIES OF PURUSOTTAMA MONTH PURANAS)

(FROM PADMA AND SKANDA

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THE PURUSOTTAMA VRATA

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BREAKING PURUSOTTAMA VRATA

Special Breaking Actions

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SPECIAL ACTIONS AT END OF MONTH

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All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

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SIMPLIFIED WORSHIP FOR THE PURUSHOTTAMA MONTH

ITS ORIGIN AND OCCURANCE

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All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

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