SRI JAGADDHATRI PUJA KI JAYA

Jagadhatri Puja or Jagdhatri Puja is one of the most popular and exclusive Pujas of West Bengal. Jagadhatri is a form of devi (Protector of the world) and is widely worshiped in every nook and corner of West Bengal. It is very well known in Hooghly district of the state. Jagadhatri Puja is more popular in Chandannagar, Rishra, Konnagar and Howrah.

Jagadhatri is a incarnation of Goddess Durga. In Sanskrit, Jagadhatri means 'Holder (dhatri) of the World (Jagat) the festival is celebrated a month after Dussehra and Durga Puja celebrations. The 10 days Puja is similar to the grand Durga Puja.

Jagadhatri Puja was started by Sarada Devi (wife of Ramakrishna). She was believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Durga and is still worshiped in Ramakrishna Mission all over the world. Jagadhatri Puja is celebrated with great vigour and joy.

In Anandmath (a semi-historical fiction written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee), Kali, Durga and Jagaddhatri are depicted as three aspects of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India); Jagaddhatri as the mother used to be, Kali as the mother now is, Durga as the mother will be in future

Huge pandals and beautiful idols of Jagadhatri are decorated with lights and flowers. The idols are decked up with red saree and gold ornaments. If you see the idol of Jagadhatri, you will not find Mahisasura. She holds a conch and a bow in her two left hands and a chakra and a five-headed arrow in her two right hands and Her mount is a tiger. So, basically Jagadhatri is a calm form of Devi.

History

Jagadhatri is known as the 'holder' of the world. It is believed that if She is not there, then the world would fall down. In Pauranik lore of the Hindu scriptures, the devatas became proud after the victory of Maa Durga over Mahisasura. Lord Brahma (creator of the Universe) took the avatar of Yaksha to control the rising ego of the Devatas. The devatas thought that lending their instruments and weapons made Durga immensely powerful to help kill King Mahisasura. Thus to make the devatas understand that the primordial power is the sole reason behind the victory over evil, Lord Brahma took this avatar.

Yaksha placed a blade of grass and when the devatas approached him to show their power, Yaksha asked them to move or burn the grass. Starting from Vayu (God of Wind) to Agni (God of Fire), one by one, all the Gods failed to move or burn the grass. This dawned that the supreme power as protecting mother, holds the entire creation and is therefore called Jagadhatri. Thus, worshiping Goddess Jagadhatri makes one egoless and a true servant of the world.

Celebrations

The 10 days festival is splendidly celebrated in Chandannagar, Rishra, Konnagar and Howrah. Traditional Bengali dance and Rabindra Sangeet performances are done to celebrate the Puja. The Puja hopping is at its peak on the last 3 days. In Odisha, Jagadhatri Mela is conducted like Rath Yatra.

SRI UTTANA EKADASI KI JAYA

Haribodhini Ekadasi
Lord Brahma said to Narada Muni, "Dear son, O best of the sages, I shall narrate to you the glories of Haribodhini Ekadasi, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrender unto the Supreme Lord.
  "O best of the brahmanas, the merits acquired by bathing in the Ganges remain significant only as long as Haribodhini Ekadasi does not come.  This Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Kartika, is much more purifying than a bath in the ocean, at a place of pilgrimage, or in a lake.  This sacred Ekadasi is more powerful in nullifying sin than one thousand Asvamedha sacrifices and one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices."
  Narada Muni inquired, "O father, please describe the relative merits of fasting completely on Ekadasi, eating supper (without grains or beans), or eating once at midday (without grains or beans)."
  Lord Brahma replied, "If a person eats once at midday on Ekadasi, the sins of his previous birth are erased, if he eats supper, the sins acquired during his previous two births are removed, and if he fasts completely, the sins accumulated during his pervious seven births are eradicated.
  "O son, whatever is only rarely achieved within the three worlds is obtained by him who strictly observes Haribodhini Ekadasi.  A person whose sins equal Mount Sumeru in volume sees them all reduced to nothing if he simply fasts on Papaharini Ekadasi (another name for Haribodhini Ekadasi).  The sins a person has accumulated over a thousand previous births are burned to ashes if he not only fasts but also remains awake throughout Ekadasi night, just as a mountain of cotton can be burned to ashes if one lights a small fire in it.
  O Narada, a person who strictly observes this fast achieves the results I have mentioned.  Even if one does a small amount of pious activity on this day, following the rules and regulations, one will earn merit to Mount Sumeru in volume; however a person who does not follow the rules and regulations given in the Scriptures may perform pious activity equal to Mount Sumeru in volume, but he will not earn even a small amount of merit.  One who does not chant the Gayatri mantra three times a day, who disregards fast days, who does not believe in God, who criticises the Vedic Scriptures, who thinks the Vedas bring only ruination to one who follows their injunctions, who enjoys another's wife, who is utterly foolish and wicked, who does not appreciate any service that has been rendered to him, or who cheats others - such a sinful person can never perform any religious activity effectively.  Be he a brahmana or a shudra, whoever tries to enjoy another man's wife, particularly the wife of a twice-born person, is said to be no better than a dog-eater.
  "O best of the sages, any brahmana who enjoys sex with a widow or a brahmana lady married to another man brings ruin to himself and his family.  Any brahmana who enjoys illicit sex will have no children in his next life, and any past merit he may have earned is ruined.  Indeed, if such a person displays any arrogance toward a twice-born brahmana or a spiritual master, he loses all his spiritual advancement immediately, as well as his wealth and children.
  "These three kinds of men ruin their acquired merits: he whose character is immoral, he who has sex with the wife of a dog-eater, and he who appreciates the association of rogues.  Whoever associates with sinful people and visits their homes without a spiritual purpose will go directly to the abode of Lord Yamaraj, the superintendent of death.  And if someone eats in such a home, his acquired merit is destroyed, along with his fame, duration of life, children, and happiness.
  "Any sinful rascal who insults a saintly person soon loses his religiosity, economic development, and sense gratification, and he at last burns in the fire of hell.  Anyone who likes to offend saintly persons, or who does not interrupt someone who is insulting saintly persons, is considered no better than an ass.  Such a wicked man sees his dynasty destroyed before his very eyes.
  "A person whose character is unclean, who is a rogue or a swindler, or who always finds fault with others does not achieve a higher destination after death, even if he gives charity generously or performs other pious deed.  Therefore one should refrain from performing inauspicious acts and perform only pious ones, by which one will acquire merit and avoid suffering. "However, the sins of one who, after due consideration, decides to fast of Haribodhini Ekadasi are erased from one hundred previous lives, and whoever fasts and remains awake overnight on this Ekadasi achieves unlimited merit and after death goes to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, and then thousand of his ancestors, relatives, and descendants also reach that abode.  Even if one's forefathers were implicated in many sins and are suffering in hell, they still attain beautifully ornamented spiritual bodies and happily go to Vishnu's abode.
  O Narada, even one who has committed the heinous sin of killing a brahmana is freed of all stains on his character by faster on Haribodhini Ekadasi and remaining awake that night.  The merit that cannot by won by bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, performing a horse sacrifice, or giving cows, gold, or fertile land in charity can easily be achieved by fasting on this holy day and remaining awake throughout the night.
  "Anyone who observes Haribodhini Ekadasi is celebrated as highly qualified and makes his dynasty famous.  As Death is certain, so losing one's wealth is also certain.  Knowing this, O best of sages, one should observe a fast on this day so dear to Hari - Sri Haribodhini Ekadasi.
  "All places of pilgrimage in the three worlds at once come to reside in the house of a person who fasts on this Ekadasi.  Therefore, to please the Lord, who holds a disc in His hand, one should give up all engagements, surrender, and observe this Ekadasi fast.  One who fasts on this Haribodhini day is acknowledged as a wise man, a true yogi, an ascetic, and one whose senses are truly under control.  He alone enjoys this world properly, and he will certainly achieve liberation.  This Ekadasi is very dear to Lord Vishnu, and thus it is the very essence of religiosity.  Even one observance of it bestows the topmost reward in all the three worlds.
  "O Naradaji, whoever fasts on this Ekadasi will definitely not enter a womb again, and thus faithful devotees of the Supreme Godhead give up all varieties of religion and simply surrender to fasting on this Ekadasi.  For that great soul who honours this Ekadasi by fasting and remaining awake throughout the night, the Supreme Lord, Sri Govinda, personally terminates the sinful reactions that soul has acquired by the actions of his mind, body, and words.
  "O son, for anyone who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants the holy names of the Supreme Lord, undergoes austerities, and performs sacrifices for God on Haribodhini Ekadasi, the merit thus earned all becomes imperishable.  A devotee who worships Lord Madhava on this day with first-class paraphernalia becomes free from the great sins of a hundred lifetimes.  A person who observes this fast and worships Lord Vishnu properly is freed from great danger.
  "This Ekadasi fast pleases Lord Janardana so much that He takes the person who observes it back to His abode, and while going there the devotee illuminates then ten universal directions.  Whoever desires beauty and happiness should try to honour Haribodhini Ekadasi, especially if it falls on Dvadasi.  The sins of one's past hundred births - the sins committed during childhood, youth and old age in al those lifetimes, whether those sins are dry or wet - are nullified by the Supreme Lord Govinda if one fasts on Haribodhini Ekadasi with devotion.
  Haribodhini Ekadasi is the best Ekadasi.  Nothing is unobtainable or rare in this world for one who fasts on this day, for it gives food grains, great wealth, and high merit, as well as eradication of all sin, the terrible obstacle to liberation.  fasting on this Ekadasi is a thousand times better than giving charity on the day of the solar or lunar eclipse.  Again I say to you, O Naradaji, whatever merit is earned by one who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, performs sacrifices, and studies the Vedas is only one then-millionth the merit earned by the person who fasts but one on Haribodhini Ekadasi.  Whatever merit one has acquired in his life by some pious activities becomes completely fruitless if one does not observe the Ekadasi fast and worship Lord Vishnu in the month of Kartika.  Therefore, you should always worship the Supreme Lord, Janardana, and render service to Him.  Thus you will attain the desired goal, the highest perfection.
  "On Haribodhini Ekadasi, a devotee of the Lord should not eat in another's house or eat food cooked by a non devotee. If he does so, he achieves only the merit of fasting on a full moon day.  Philosophical discussion of Scriptures in the month of Kartika pleases Sri Vishnu more than if one gives elephants and horses in charity or performs a costly sacrifice.  Whoever chants or hears descriptions of Lord Vishnu's qualities and pastimes, even if but a half or even a fourth of a verse, attains the wonderful merit derived from giving away a hundred cows to a brahmana.  O Narada, during the month of Kartika one should give up all kinds or ordinary duties and devote one's full time and energy especially while fasting, to discussing the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord.  Such glorification of Sri Hari on the day so dear to the Lord, Ekadasi, liberates a hundred previous generations.  One who spends his time enjoying such discussions, especially in the month of Kartika, achieves the results of performing ten thousand fire sacrifices and burns all his sins to ashes.
  "He who hears the wonderful narrations concerning Lord Vishnu, particularly during the month of Kartika, automatically earns the same merit as that bestowed upon someone who donates a hundred cows in charity.  O great sage, a person who chants the glories of Lord Hari on Ekadasi achieves the merit earned by donating seven islands."
  Narada Muni asked his glorious father, "O universal sire, I best of all demigods, please tell me how to observe this most sacred Ekadasi.  What kind of merit does it bestow upon the faithful?"
  Lord Brahma replied, "O son, a person who wants to observe this Ekadasi should rise early on Ekadasi morning, during the brahma-muhurta hour (an hour and a half before sunrise until fifty minutes before sunrise).  He should then clean his teeth and bathe in a lake, river, pond, or well, or in his own home, as the situation warrants.  After worshipping Lord Sri Keshava, he should listen carefully to the sacred descriptions of the Lord.  He should pray to the Lord thus:  'O Lord Keshava, I shall fast on this day, which is so dear to You, and tomorrow I shall honour Your sacred prasadam.  O lotus-eyed Lord, O infallible one, You are my only shelter.  Kindly protect me.'
  "Having spoken this solemn prayer before the Lord with great love and devotion, one should fast cheerfully.  O Narada, whoever remains awake all night on this Ekadasi, singing beautiful songs glorifying the Lord, dancing in ecstasy, playing delightful instrumental music for His transcendental pleasure, and reciting the pastimes of Lord Krishna as records in bona-fide Vedic literature - such a person will most assuredly reside far beyond the three worlds, in the eternal, spiritual realm of God.
  "On Haribodhini Ekadasi one should worship Sri Krishna with camphor, fruits, and aromatic flowers, especially the yellow agaru flower.  One should not absorb oneself in making money on this important day.  In other words, greed should be exchanged for charity.  This is the process for turning loss into unlimited merit.  One should offer many kinds of fruits to the Lord and bathe Him with water from a conchshell.  Each of these devotional practices, when performed on Haribodhini Ekadasi, is ten million times more beneficial than bathing in all the places of pilgrimage and giving all forms of charity.
  "Even Lord Indra joins his palm and offers his obeisances to a devotee who worships Lord Janardana with first-class agastya flowers of this day.  The supreme Lord Hari is very pleased when he is decorated with nice agastya flowers.  O Narada, I give liberation to one who devotedly worships Lord Krishna on this Ekadasi in the month of Kartika with leaves of the bel tree.  And for one who worships Lord Janardana with fresh tulasi leaves and fragrant flowers during this month, O son, I personally burn to ashes all the sins he has committed for then thousand births.
  "One who merely sees Tulasi Maharani, touches her, mediates on her, narrates her history, offers obeisances to her, prays to her for her grace, plants her, worships her, or waters her lives in the abode of Lord Hari eternally.  O Narada, one who serves Tulasi-devi in these nine ways achieves happiness in the higher world for as many thousands of yugas as there are roots and subroots growing from a mature tulasi plant.  When a full grown tulasi plant produces seeds, many plants grow from those seeds and spread their branches, twigs, and flowers, and these flowers also produce numerous seeds.  For as many thousands of kalpas as there are seeds produced in this way, the forefathers of one who serves tulasi in these nine ways will live in the abode of Lord Hari.
  "Those who worship Lord Keshava with kadamba flowers, which are very pleasing to Him, get is mercy and do not see the abode of Yamaraj, death personified.  What is the use of worshipping someone else if all desires can be fulfilled by pleasing Lord Hari?  For example, a devotee who offers Him bakula, ashoka, and patali flowers is freed from misery and distress for as long as the sun and moon exist in this universe, and at last he achieves liberation.  O best of the brahmanas, an offering of kannera flowers to Lord Jagannatha brings as much mercy upon the devotee as that earned by worshipping Lord Keshava for four yugas.  One who offers tulasi flowers (manjaris) to Sri Krishna during the month of Kartika receives more merit than can be obtained by donating ten million cows.   Even a devotional offering of newly grown sprouts of grass brings with it a hundred times the benefit obtained by ordinary ritualistic worship of the Supreme Lord.
  "One who worships Lord Vishnu with the leaves of the samika tree is freed from the clutches of Yamaraja, the lord of death.  One who worships Vishnu during the rainy season with champaka or jasmine flowers never returns to the planet earth again.  One who worships the Lord with but a single kumbhi flower achieves the boon of donating a pala of gold (two hundred grams).  If a devotee offers a single yellow flower of the ketaki, or wood-apple, tree to Lord Vishnu, who rides on Garuda, he is freed from the sins of ten million births.  Furthermore, one who offers Lord Jagannatha flowers and also a hundred leaves anointed with red and yellow sandalwood paste will certainly come to reside in Svetadvipa, far beyond the coverings of this material creation.
  "O greatest of brahmanas, Sri Narada, after thus worshipping Lord Keshava, the bestower of all material and spiritual happiness, on Haribodhini Ekadasi, one should rise early the next day, bathe in a rive, chant japa  of Krishna's holy names, and render loving devotional service to the Lord at home to the nest of one's ability.  To break the fast, the devotee should first offer some prasadam to brahmanas and only then, with their permission, eat some grains.  Thereafter, to please the Supreme Lord, the devotee should worship his spiritual master, the purest of the Lord's devotees, and offer him sumptuous food, nice cloth, gold, and cows, according to the devotee's means.  this will certainly please the Supreme Lord, the holder of the disc.
  "Next the devotee should donate a cow to a brahmana, and if the devotee has neglected some rules and regulation of spiritual life, he should confess them before brahmana devotees of the Lord.  Then the devotee should offer them some dakshina (money).  O king, those who have eaten supper on Ekadasi should feed a brahmana the next day.  That is very pleasing to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  "O son, if a man has fasted without asking the permission of his priest, or if a woman has fasted without asking her husband's permission, he or she should donate a bull to a brahmana.  Honey and yoghurt are also proper gifts for a brahmana.  Someone who has fasted from ghee should donate milk, one who has fasted from grains should donate rice, one who has slept on the floor should donate a bedstead with a quilt, one who has eaten on a leaf plate should donate a pot of ghee, one who as remained silent should donate a bell, and one who has fasted from sesame should give gold in charity and feed a brahmana couple with sumptuous food.  A man who wants to prevent baldness should donate a mirror to a brahmana, one who has second-hand shoes should donate shoes, and one who has fasted from salt should donate some sugar to a brahmana.  During this month everyone should regularly offer a ghee lamp to Lord Vishnu or to Srimati Tulasidevi in a temple.
  "An Ekadasi fast is complete when one offers a qualified brahmana a gold or copper pot filled with ghee and ghee wicks, along with eight waterpots containing some gold and covered by cloths.  One who cannot afford these gifts should at least offer a brahmana some sweet words.  One who does so will surely attain the full benefit of fasting on Ekadasi.
  "After offering his obeisances and begging permission, the devotee should eat his meal.  On this Ekadasi, Chaturmasya ends, so whatever one gave up during Chaturmasya should now be donated to brahmanas.  One who follows this process of Chaturmasya receives unlimited merit, O king of kings, and goes to the abode of Lord Vasudeva after death.  O king, anyone who observes the complete Chaturmasya without a break attains eternal happiness and does not receive another birth.  But if someone breaks the fast, he becomes either a blind man or a leper.
  "Thus I have narrated to you the complete process for observing Haribodhini Ekadasi.  Someone who reads or hears about this achieves the merit earned by donating cows to a qualified brahmana."
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Karttika-sukla Ekadasi - also known as Haribodhini Ekadasi or Devotthaani Ekadasi - from the Skanda Purana.
This story is from how they are found in the celebrated book, "Ekadasi: The Day of Lord Hari" 1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta Institute Press.

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(the above excerpt is used with permission)The Ekadashi Book is now available in its entirety -free to download with our blessing at http://www.krsna.org
 
Entire book acknowledged to Mahamandelswar Mahant Krsna Balaram Swami
Dr. Vijay K. Parmar
European Secretary
Bhagavat Dharma Samaj

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Prabodhini Ekadasi in Kartik: (Sukla paksha) from Hari Bhakti Vilas - Vaishnava Smriti.
PRABODHINIM UPOSYA EVA NA GARBHE VISATE NARAH
SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA TASMAT KURVITA NARADA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/289 from SKANDA PURANA spoken by Lord Brahma)
 Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhini (when the Lord gets up) Ekadasi, does not enter again into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular Ekadasi day.
DUGDHABDHIH BHOGI SAYANE BHAGAVAN ANANTO
YASMIN DINE SVAPITI CA ATHA VIBHUDHYATE CA
TASMINN ANANYA MANASAM UPAVASA BHAJAM
KAMAM DADATY ABHIMATAM GARUDANKA SAYI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/293 from PADMA PURANA)
 One who fasts with one pointed intelligence on the day when the Supreme Lord Sri Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garuda (snake) goes to take rest in the Milk ocean on the bed of Ananta Sesa and also the day He gets up, gets all of his desires fulfilled.
BHAKTIPRADA HAREH SATU NAMNA KSATA PRAVODHINI
YASA VISNOH PARA MURTIR AVYAKTA ANEKA RUPINI
SA KSIPTA MANUSE LOKE DVADADI MUNI PUNGAVA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/301 from VARAHA PURANA conversation between Yamaraja and Narada Muni)
 This Prabodhini Ekadasi is famous for rewarding devotion to Lord Sri Hari. Oh best of the sages (Narada Muni), the personality of Ekadasi is present on this earthly planet in an unmanifested form of Lord Hari.
 Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that one who exactly observes the Ekadasi fast by observing this, he directly worships Lord Sri Hari. This is the meaning of this verse. Therefore, Ekadasi is said to be equal to Lord Sri Hari Himself.
CATUR DHA GRAHYA VAI CIRNAM CATUR MASYA VRATAM NARAH
KARTIKE SUKLAPAKSE TU DVADASYAM TAT SAMACARET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/412 from MAHABHARATA)
 A person who observed Caturmasya fast stated in four different ways should end his fast on the Dvadasi day on the light fortnight of the month of Karttika.
EVAM YA ACARET PARTHA SOBHANAM DHARMAM APNUYAT
AVASANE TU RAJENDRA VASUDEVA PURAM VRAJET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/433 from BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)
 Oh son of Prtha, Oh best of the kings, one who follows his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit and at last goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari, the son of Vasudeva.
See Bhisma Panchaka
See Gaura Kishora dasa Babaji maharaj

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The Ekadasi Page:

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's Navadwip Panjika Intro'

Vaishnava Calendar Page
Ekadasi Vratas according to Hari Bhakti Vilas smriti
Ekadasis Throughout the year in detail - their observances, benefits, and individual origin

Choose The Month (Vaishnava or Western), Paksha or Ekadasi

No.		Name of Ekadasis	Vedik - Hindu Months Fortnights K=Krishna paksha S=Sukla paksha	Vaishnava Month	Western Months
19		Utpanna Ekadasi	Margashira - K	Keshava Mase	Nov-Dec
20		Mokshada Ekadasi (Vaikuntha ekadasi Sri Rangam)	Margashira - S	Keshava Mase	Nov-Dec
21		Saphala Ekadasi	Pausha - K	Naaraayana Mase	Dec-Jan
22		Putrada Ekadasi	Pausha - S	Naaraayana Mase	Dec-Jan
23		Trisprisha Ekadasi	Maagha - K	Maadhava Mase	Jan-Feb
24		Bhaimi Ekadasi	Maagha - S	Maadhava Mase	Jan-Feb
25		Vijaya - Jaya	Phaalguna - K	Govinda Mase	Feb-Mar
26		Amalaki Ekadasi	Phaalguna - S	Govinda Mase	Feb-Mar
1		Paapavimochani Ekadasi	Chaitra - K	Vishnu Mase	Mar-Apr
2		Kamaada - Damanakaaropani Ekadasi	Chaitra - S	Vishnu Mase	Mar-Apr
3		Varuthini Ekadasi	Vaisaakha - K	Madhusudana Mase	Apr-May
4		Mohini Ekadasi	Vaisaakha - S	Madhusudana Mase	Apr-May
5		Aparaa Ekadasi	Jyeshtha - K	Trivikrama Mase	May-June
6		Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi	Jyeshtha - S	Trivikrama Mase	May-June
7		Yogini Ekadasi	Aashaadha - K	Vaamana Mase	June-July
8		Padma - Devasayani Ekadasi	Aashaadha - S	Vaamana Mase	June-July
9		Kaamaika Ekadasi	Shravana - K	Sridhar Mase	July-Aug
10		Putrada - Pavitraropani Ekadasi	Shravana - S	Sridhar Mase	July-Aug
11		Ajaa - Annadaa Ekadasi	Bhaadrapada - K	Hrisikesha Mase	Aug-Sept
12		Parivartini - Parshva Ekadasi	Bhaadrapada - S	Hrisikesha Mase	Aug-Sept
13		Indiraa Ekadasi	Aaswina - K	Padmanabha Mase	Sept-Oct
14		Paashaankusha Ekadasi	Aaswina - S	Padmanabha Mase	Sept-Oct
15		Ramaa Ekadasi	Kaarttika - K	Damodara Mase	Oct-Nov
16		Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthaani (Uttana) Ekadasi	Kaarttika - S	Damodara Mase	Oct-Nov
17		Padmini - Vishuddha Ekadasi		Adikamase	Adikamase
18		Paramaa - Shuddha Ekadasi		Adikamase	Adikamase

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Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji - Disappearance

The next in the parampara, after and is an associate of Bhaktivinoda Thakura - a great paramahamsa babaji by the name of Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. Technically he was the disciple of Bhagavat dasa Babaji Maharaja, who was a disciple of Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja.

In 1897 Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja came to Mayapur Navadwipa Dhama from Sri Vrndavana Dhama, where he was accredited the exalted title "Bhajananandi". Srila Bhaktivinoda (Kedarnath Datt), seeing the transcendental behaviour of Babaji Maharaja, would use him as an example of nirapeksa (indifference), as his level of renunciation was beyond belief.

This Vaisnava saint's life was an example of utter humility and poverty, the true attributes of a Vaisnava. Gaurakisora never accepted any material object from anyone. For his clothing he used the discarded loin cloths from corpses left on the bank of the Ganges. For food, he would collect rice by begging, soak it in river water, and garnish it with salt and chilly. He never asked favors from anyone and lived a fully detached life, devoid of all possessions.

Very little information is available about the past life of Gaurakisora except that he was born in a Vaisya family in the village of Bagjana near Tepakhola on the bank of the Padma. As a householder, Gaurakisora was known by the name Vansidasa (different from Vamsi das babaji). At that time he was engaged in some agricultural trade and from the income took care of his wife and family honestly. After the death of his wife, Gaurakisora renounced his home and went to Vrndavana, where he was initiated into Vairagi Vesha by Bhagavata dasa babaji, one of the foremost disciples of Jagannatha dasa babaji.

Srila Gaurakisora lived on madhukari, begging and slept beneath a tree. He would lie prostrate, offering his humble obeisances to the residents of Vraja, considering them as embodiments of Lord Krsna. He even offered his obeisances to the flowers, trees, and land around him. He spent about thirty years at Vraja mandala serving the deities there. Afterwards, perhaps by the direction of the Supreme Lord, he left for Navadvipa.

During his stay at Navadvipa, Gaurakisora underwent various transformations of spiritual moods. Sometimes he danced on the bank of the Ganges chanting, "Gaura, Gaura", while at other times he would lie on the ground in an unconscious state. He joyfully moved throughout the groves located on the bank of the Ganges, considering them sites of the divine sports of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. His only clothing was a strip of cloth around his waist and often went totally naked. He chanted japa on beads or sometimes knotted a cloth and used that as a substitute for japa beads. Occasionally, he went to Godruma Dvipa to listen to Bhaktivinoda Thakura recite ”Srimad Bhagavatam.

Babaji Maharaja would often visit Bhaktivinoda. During his last days in retirement, absorbed in Krsna katha, he would hear Srimad Bhagavatam at Bhaktivinoda's house and they would discuss together. Though Babaji Maharaja could neither read nor write he was regarded as vastly learned and self-realized. His only possessions were the Tulasi beads around his neck and the japa mala he kept in his hand. Sometimes he wore no Tulasi mala on his neck and would chant on knotted cloth as beads - such was his renunciation. Sometimes he would live under an old broken overturned boat, and other times he would scatter fish bones around a place he occasionally used as his bhajan kutir to make materialists think he was a fish-eater, and thus they would not disturb him. But by his pure bhajan he purified the three worlds.

He was the guru of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, the founder of the Caitanya Mathas and Gaudiya Mathas.

In 1898 when Bhaktivinoda's son, who was now residing in Godrumadwipa in Navadwipa Dhama, first came in contact with the person who was to be his spiritual master, Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, the crest jewel of avadhutas was wearing a tigerskin hat and carrying a basket with puja paraphernalia inside. He offered the boy four or five pieces of rope for chanting his rounds on, and a tilak stamp for marking the body with Hare Krsna carved on it. Bhaktivinoda later told his son, "You must take initiation from Babaji Maharaja, and don't return to this house if you don't." Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji used to walk across a bridge at the same time daily, so on one occasion Bhaktivinoda's son, Siddhanta Saraswati, blocked his path and in all humility said, "If you don't give me initiation then I will finish my life by throwing this useless body off this bridge." Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja didn't want any disciples - he himself had taken siksa from Bhaktivinoda, and this was Bhaktivinoda's dear son! Siddhanta Saraswati told him how his father had instructed him to become Babaji Maharaja's disciple or not return home, so in 1900 Babaji Maharaja gave him the name Varsabhanavi-devi-dayita dasa. He then gave his new initiate the tiger skin hat and basket that had been given to Gaura Kisora by his spiritual master Bhagavat dasa Babaji, which he in turn had received from Jagannatha dasa Babaji.

In 1908 Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja lost his external eye sight, so he then stopped travelling and just chanted and performed worship of Krsna. Being aloof from external consciousness, sometimes he would not dress his body - instead he would sit in his bhajan kutir internally absorbed in Krsna's pastimes and in a very deep voice be heard calling the names of the gopis of Vrndavana.

Once Srila Varsabhanavi-devi-dayita dasa, Siddhanta Saraswati, offered to take Babaji Maharaja to Calcutta to see an eye specialist, but he refused saying, "Never! I will never go to the material world." His disciple protested, "But in Calcutta I could serve you nicely. You wouldn't have to undergo any inconvenience." But Babaji Maharaja was adamant declaring, "I will never accept this service. Better I throw myself in the Saraswati (Jalanghi) and drown."

Once Babaji Maharaja turned up at the Yoga Pitha (Lord Caitanya's birthplace) at two in the morning. Amazed, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati enquired how he got there in the pitch black of night. Babaji Maharaja replied, "Someone brought me here." "Who could have brought you such a distance at this time?" enquired Bhaktisiddhanta. Finally his mind concluded, "It must have been Krsna who personally brought you here or else how did you cross the Ganges? How did you find your way across the dark fields?" But Babaji Maharaja would not answer more than, "One person brought me across the river, that's all."

One day Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja wrapped his body and two feet with a cloth. Sitting covered like this he said, "Many persons, after being informed by others, come here to collect the dust from my feet. I tell them I am not a Vaisnava. If you go to the vicinity where there are Vaisnavas with their feet pretentiously decorated and extended to touch, you can have unlimited dust. How can I bless you? I don't have barfi or sandesh or rasagulla, or even sweet words. How can I bless you? Nowadays people are interested in spiritual masters who can give these things - wealth, good wife, sweet words - these cheating things are now taken as anakula (favourable)."

Every virtuous person looked forward to rendering service to Srila Gaurakisora. However, he rarely allowed anyone the chance to serve him. Once Manindracandra Nandi, the Maharaja of Kasimbazar, sent a distinguished messenger to escort Gaurakisora to the former's palace. Gaurakisora, however, did not accept the Maharaja's invitation saying that if he visitedthe palace he may feel tempted by the wealth of the Maharaja which may result in a strained relation between the two. Hence, Gaurakisora suggested that instead of him visiting the palace, let the Maharaja free himself completely from the shackles of wealth by donating everything he owned to his relatives and then come to live with Gaurakisora in a specially prepared shed where both of them could practice Haribhajan in peace."

Srila Gaurakisora was very selective about accepting invitations for food. He believed that partaking of food here and there could adversely affect the spiritual life of a devotee. Once a devotee name Haren babu partook of prasada offered at the festival held at Bhajan kutir at Navadvipa. For this Gaurakisora stopped communicating with Haren for three days. On the fourth day Gaurakisora explained that the prasada of the above festival had been financed by a woman of questionable profession, a pumscari (one who is moved by other men).

Once, on the eve of Sanatana Gosvami's disappearance day, Gaurakisora decided to celebrate the occasion. The devotee attending him asked who would provide them with the materials for the celebration. Srila Gaurakisora replied: "Remember not to speak to anyone about it. We shall miss a meal and continue around the clock chanting the holy name. This could be the typical festival for those of us who have taken the vow of poverty."

Narendra Kumar Sen, a resident of Agartala (Tripura), once approached Gaurakisora to learn about Guru pranali or Siddha pranali. Gaurakisora told him, "The Supreme Lord cannot be realized through worldly knowledge. Only through the chanting of the holy name can the true nature of the Lord be revealed. As the Lord is revealed from the letters comprising the Nama, the devotee gradually begins to understand his own nature and becomes acquainted with seva.

Once a physician told Gaurakisora that he intended to move to Navadvipa and take up charitable practices. Gaurakisora advised the physician that if he truly desired to live in Navadvipa then he should give up the plan for a charitable practice because it would only encourage materially minded people to save money. Those who sincerely practiced Hari bhajan should never get distracted by the chains of welfare activities.

A young seeker wearing only a kaupina, once stayed with Gaurakisora for some days. later he arranged, through the agency of an employee of a female estate owner, to obtain five kathas of land as a donation from the woman. When Gaurakisora heard about this he was extremely annoyed: "Navadvipadhama is beyond this material world. How can a worldly land owner dare to hold land here and even think he can donate five kathas out of it? A mere grain of sand of the transcendental Navadvipa is more valuable than all the precious gems in this world put together. Moreover, how advanced could this young kaupina clad devotee be if he dares to collect so much land in lieu of his bhajan merit?"

Once a devotee offered some sweets to Lord Gauranga and then took the offering to Gaurakisora, urging him to partake of it. Gaurakisora told the devotee, "Those who are non vegetarian, those who commit adultery, or offer food to Lord Gauranga with a particular motive, their offerings never reach Lord Gauranga and are never sanctified as prasada."

Srila Gaurakisora regularly begged for rice, after which he would cook the rice, offer it, and partake of the prasada. He never touched any foodstuff offered by someone else. Once during monsoon, Gaurakisora stayed in the rest house at Phulia Navadvipa. Some prasada was left in a vessel for him to respect later. Meanwhile a snake passed by the vessel and a woman there happened to notice it. When Gaurakisora sat down to take prasada the woman appeared there and informed him about the snake. Gaurakisora, however, firmly stated that he would not touch the prasada until the woman left. After the woman left, Gaurakisora said, "Look how maya works! Taking the form of compassion, maya attempts to hit deep into her target slowly. Maya can assume countless forms. She always prevents a mortal being from practicing Haribhajan."

Giribabu and his wife once ardently requested Gaurakisora to stay in their house at Navadvipa. Gaurakisora was moved by their sincere devotion and finally agreed to oblige them on the condition that he would live only in their toilet room where he would perform Hari bhajan. Giribabu tried to persuade him to change his mind but Gaurakisora remained firm. Giribabu reluctantly arranged to have the toilet thorougly cleaned and Gaurakisora used it for Haribhajan. A realized soul can practice Haribhajan anywhere in an unconcerned manner, and wherever he resides, that place becomes Vaikuntha.

Srila Gaurakisora was a highly spiritually advanced soul. He never allowed deceitful practices or any discussion which was not within the purview of the holy books. One day when a devotee questioned Gaurakisora about a well known reiciter of ”Srimad Bhagavatam, who was in the habit of chanting "Gaura, Gaura", Gaurakisora remarked, "He doesn't say "Gaura, Gaura. Rather what he means to say is, "More More" (`Money, Money.') Those who recite ”Srimad Bhagavatam for payment are not entitled to chant the name of theSupreme Lord."

Srila Gaurakisora never delivered discourses openly, yet his spotless character drew everyone to him. Upon meeting Gaurakisora, even a staunch materialist would become inclined take up Haribhajan.

On 22nd June, 1914 Bhaktivinoda Thakura passed from this world into his samadhi, deep meditation, on Lord Krsna in Bhakti Bhavan, and then on November 17th, 1915 Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, on the auspicious Utthana Ekadasi, also left this world. His body was placed into a samadhi tomb, but sixteen years later, due to flooding, the samadhi had to be moved. There was a clamour of local babajis trying to claim the samadhi, but the bold Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati (Varsabhanavi-devi-dayita dasa) told everybody frankly, "I am the only disciple of Paramahamsa Babaji Maharaja. Even though I have not accepted sannyasa, I am a celibate brahmacari and by the grace of Babaji Maharaja I am not secretly addicted to abominable habits or involved in fornication as some monkey-like people are. If there is someone amongst the people here present who is a renunciate of stainless character, then he can have Babaji Maharaja's samadhi. We have no objection to that. He, who within the last year, or the last six months, three months, one month or at least within the last three days, has not had illicit connection with a woman will be able to touch this spiritual blissful body. If anyone else touches it he will be completely ruined." Hearing these words, the Inspector of police, who had come to judge for a fair and honest decision said, "How will evidence be had for this?" Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati replied, "I have faith in their word." At this, one by one all the bogus babajis slipped away without a word. 

SRILA GAURA KISORA DAS BABAJI MAHARAJ’S BHAJAN KUTIR AT “SVANANDA SUKHADA KUNJA”, THE HOUSE OF SRILA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA at Godrumadvipa, Navadvipa-Mayapur

SAMADHI TEMPLE OF HIS DIVINE GRACE GAURA-KISORA DASA BABAJI MAHARAJ AT SRI CAITANYA MATH ON “SRI ANTARDVIPA” ISLAND OF NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA

SAMADHI TEMPLE OF HIS DIVINE GRACE GAURA-KISORA DASA BABAJI MAHARAJ AT SRI CAITANYA MATH ON “SRI ANTARDVIPA” ISLAND OF NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA

SAMADHI TEMPLE OF HIS DIVINE GRACE GAURA-KISORA DASA BABAJI MAHARAJ AT SRI CAITANYA MATH ON “SRI ANTARDVIPA” ISLAND OF NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA

SAMADHI TEMPLE OF HIS DIVINE GRACE GAURA-KISORA DASA BABAJI MAHARAJ AT SRI CAITANYA MATH ON “SRI ANTARDVIPA” ISLAND OF NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA

Gaudiya Vaishnava Viraha Bhajan (Song Sung in Separation Of Vaishnava)

SRI BHISMA PAÑCHAKA KI JAYA

Krishna

Bhīṣma-pañcaka

The fasting austerities for the last 5 days of Kartika (Damodara) Month are known as "Bhisma Pancaka Vrata". Grandfather Bhisma fasted for these five days, preparing to give up his life. However one observes Kartika-vrata, he should intensify it for the last five days. If someone observes this fast, he is considered to have observed all other fasts, because it is greatly meritorious and frees one from great sins.

arabhyaikadasim panca dinani vratamicaret;
bhagavatpritaye bhismapancakam yadi saknuyat.
yadi saknuyatditi kamyatvamiti dik
- Srila Sanatana Goswami

"If one is capable the Bhisma-panchaka vow will be observed for the sake of love of God for the five days from the eleventh day (of the bright lunar fortnight in Kartika) up till the fullmoon day. The prescriptions for this have been given in the Vrata-Khanda-Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma-purana, in the Skanda Purana and in the Visnu-rahasya."

Lord Siva said that the Supreme Lord Himself has given these five days to Bhisma and it is therefore called the five days of Bhisma or Bhisma Pancaka. This fast on these last five days of the light part of Kartik was previously performed by Vasistha, Brighu, Garga, etc., in Satyayuga. Ambarisha Maharaja performed this fast and gave up all of his royal happiness in Tretayuga. Celebrated brahmanas perform this fast with chanting of japa and performance of sacrifices, according to the scriptural rules and regulations. So do ksatriyas and vaisyas who are following truthfulness and cleanliness. This five day fast is difficult for those who are hypocrites and not serious.

The fasting starts on the Utthāna Ekadasi day and will continue until the Rasa purnima day (last day of caturmasya, last day of kartik, first day of Hati procession). The fasting is broken at sunset (or at moon rise) on Rasa Purnima day. Generally it is recommended to do full fast on Ekadasi and then the following four days fruits and roots fasting. Or one can do five day fruits and roots fasting.

Levels of fasting:

Devotees can choose whichever level of fasting as is convenient to them. It should not disturb their normal devotional service(s) and daily sadhana.

Level 1:

One can consume products of the cow (pancha-gavya) each for each day:

• First day: cow dung (Gomaya);
• Second day: cow urine (Go-muutra);
• Third day: cow milk (Kshiira);
• Fourth day: cow yoghurt (Dadhi);
• Fifth day: all products of the cow mixed (Pancha-gavya).

Level 2:

If one can't follow level 1, one can take fruits and roots fruits with many seeds should be avoided like guava, pomegranate, papaya, cucumber etc. Boiled potatoes, raw banana and sweet potato can be taken boiled or baked. We can use sea salt for taste. Cashew nuts, raisins, dates can be taken. We shouldn't take milk and milk products in this level of fasting. Coconut water and grated coconut can be taken.

Level 3:

If one can't follow level 2, one can take "Havishya."

References: Padma Puraana, Brahma-khanda, Chapter 23; Skanda Puraana, Vishnu Khanda, Kartika Mahatmya section, Chapter 32; Garuda Puraana, Purva Khanda, Chapter 123.

Ingredients for Havishya as mentioned in Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa (13.10-13):

The following are ingredients that can be used in making Havishya, which is like a khichari made with these items.

• Aatap rice
• Ghee from cow
• 'Saindhava' salt (salt from ocean)
• Milk from cow
• Milk with cream
• Ripe banana
• Kaala-shaaka
• Wheat
• Fruits (Skanda Puraana, Naagara Khanda says they must be with a small seed or with few seeds only)
• Mango
• Jackfruit
• Labali fruit
• Roots except 'keaa' (a type of grass or root)
• Pippalii
• Haritakii
• Nagaranga
• Ikshu-dravya or sugarcane derivatives (other than gur or mollasses)
• No oil

The following ingredients are normally part of Havishya but have to be avoided in the month of Kaartika:

• Mung dal
• Til oil
• Beta-shaaka
• Shashtikaa-shaaka
• Radish
• Jeeraa
• Tamarind

One should take bath in Ganges or a holy river every day and should offer tarpana 3 times for Bhismadeva by saying the following mantra:

Tarpana

om vaiyaghra padya gotraya
samkrti pravaraya ca
aputraya dadamyetat
salilam bhismavarmane

Arghya

vasunamavataraya
santanoratmajaya ca
arghyam dadami bhismaya
ajanma brahmacarine

Pranam

om bhismah santanavo birah
satyavadi jitendriyah
abhiradbhiravapnatu
putrapautrocitam kriyam

Offerings to the Lord:

Devotees may offer the following flowers to the Deity:

• On the first day, one must offer padma (lotus) flowers to the feet of the Lord.
• On the second day, one must offer bilva (wood-apple) leaves of the thigh of the Lord.
• On the third day, one must offer gandha (scents) to the navel of the Lord.
• On the fourth day, one must offer java flower to the shoulders of the Lord.
• On the fifth day, one must offer malati flower to the head (siro-desa) of the Lord.

When there is a overlap of days then the flowers for both days can be offered in the same day.

Reference: Garuda Purana.

Srila Bhugarbha Gosvami - Disappearance

 

As there is not much mention of Sri Lokanatha Goswami in Vaishnava  literatures, similarly there is not much mention either of Sri Bhugarbha Goswami, who was his very close friend. Following Mahaprabhu's order, they  both came to live at Vraja dham. Their hearts were inseparable.

Bhugarbha Goswami was Lokanatha’s closest friend and constant companion. He was Prema Manjari in Vraja (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 187).

bhugarbha-thakkurasyasit purvakhya prema-manjari.

According to the Sadhana-dipika, Bhugarbha was Lokanatha’s paternal uncle. The Shakha-nirnayamrita adds the following comments on Bhugarbha Goswami:

 

gosvaminam ca bhugarbham bhugarbhottham suvishrutam |
sada mahashayam vande krishna-prema-pradam prabhum ||
shrila-govinda-devasya seva-sukha-vilasinam |
dayalum premadam svaccham nityam ananda-vigraham ||

I offer my reverence to the illustrious Bhugarbha Prabhu, who is said to have been born from the bowels of the earth. He bestows love of Krishna; he takes pleasure in the service of Govinda Deva, is compassionate, simple and always joyful.

Bhugarbha Goswami’s initiating guru was Gadadhara Pandit Goswami. He is therefore considered to be Gadadhara’s branch. Shri Bhagavata Das, a fellow disciple of Shrila Gadadhara Pandit Goswami, was also a close friend.

Bhugarbha and Bhagavata Das are branches of Gadadhara Pandit, both of whom went to live in Vrindavan. (Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi, 12.81)

Lokanatha Goswami renounced the householder ashrama in 1431 of the Shaka era (1510) and came to meet Mahaprabhu in Nabadwip. Mahaprabhu immediately told him to go and live in Vrindavan, telling him that it was his own intention to take sannyas very shortly and go there himself. Lokanatha started to cry when he imagined the Lord with his beautiful curls shorn and the distress the devotees would feel at his departure. When the Lord saw Lokanatha’s anxiety, he embraced him and consoled him with various spiritual instructions and Lokanatha surrendered completely to him. When Bhugarbha saw how unhappy Lokanatha was, he decided to accompany him to Vrindavan. The two companions walked through Rajmahal, Tajpur, Purniya, Lukhnow and many holy places before finally arriving in Braj.

Gaudiya Vaishnava Viraha Bhajan (Song Sung in Separation Of Vaishnava)

Srila Kasisvara Pandita - Disappearance

Sri Kasisvara Pandita Gosvami had a temple near Sri Rampura at Catara. Mahaprabhu sent him to Vrindavana later on in his life. His disciple was Sri Govinda Gosai, the pujari of Sri Govinda Deva.

When Srila Rupa Gosvami discovered Sri Govinda Deva's Sri Vigraha at Gomati tila, he immediately sent word to Mahaprabhu at Puri. Mahaprabhu in turn requested Sri Kasisvara Pandita to go to Vrindavana. Kasisvara however expressed that "to have to give up your association will cause my heart to be split in two. Therefore please consider how I can honor your request without giving up my life."

Mahaprabhu could understand the heart of Kasisvara and therefore he gave him a self manifested Deity of Himself. Mahaprabhu sat down along with this Vigraha and accepted prasad at which Kasisvara's faith was kindled. Mahaprabhu intimated to him with this Deity and established him on the right side of Sri Govinda Deva. Then he began to serve Them with great love.

Gaudiya Vaishnava Viraha Bhajan (Song Sung in Separation Of Vaishnava)

SRI KRISHNA RASAYATRA KI JAYA

Sri Krsna Rasayatra

The purnima or full moon of Damodara month is the second full moon of the autumn season, and rasa lila is again celebrated. This second rasa yatra is celebrated more in Bengal, whereas the first one is celebrated more in Vrndavana.

On this day one should perform full worship of Radha and Krsna with many flowers, and place them in a rasa mandapa surrounded by the gopis.

SRI TULASI-SALIGRAMA VIVAHA KI JAYA

Marriage of Shalagrama and Tulasi written by Sri Padmanabha Gosai.
Shri Vasishthaji said that what I have heard in ancient times from Lord Brahma about the marriage of Tulasi I will now describe according to what is written in the Narada-pancaratra. First one should plant Tulasi either in the house or the forest, and after three years one may perform her marriage. The auspicious times when one may perform the marriage of Shalagrama and Tulasi are described as follows. When the sun is moving in the north, Jupiter and Venus are rising, in the month of Kartika, from the Ekadashi to the full moon in the month of Magha, and when constellations that are auspicious for marriage appear, especially the full moon day. - First one should arrange a place for sacrifice (yajna-kunda) under a canopy (mandapa). Then after performing shanti-vidhana, one should install sixteen goddesses, and do the shraddha ceremony for his female maternal ancestors. One should call four brahmanas learned in the Veda, and appoint one to be the Brahma, one to be the acarya, one to be the rishi, and one to be the priest. One should establish an auspicious waterpot (mangala-ghat) under that mandapa according to the Vaishnava rituals. Then one should establish an attractive shalagrama-shila (Lakshmi-Narayana). After that one should perform home sacrifice (griha-yajna), worship the sixteen goddesses, and do the shraddha ceremony. - When it is dusk one should install a golden Deity of Narayana and a silver murti of Tulasi according to one's means. With vasa-shanta mantra two cloths should be tied together, with yadavandha mantra the marriage bracelets (kangana) should be tied on the wrists, and with ko' dat mantra the marriage should be consecrated. Then the host along with the acarya, rishi, and others should make nine offerings in the yajna-kunda. After these marriage rites have been done, the wise gurudeva should offer sacrifice according to the Vaishnava rituals chanting, "Om namo bhagavate keshavaya namah svaha." - The host with his wife, friends, and relatives should then do parikrama of Tulasi four times with shalagrama-shila. Everyone should then recite the following prayers in front of the yajna-kunda: shatkumbha-sukta, pavamani-sukta, shakti-kadhyaya, nava-sukta, jiva-sukta, and vaishava-samhita. After this the ladies should blow conch and other similar instruments, sing auspicious songs, and recite mangalacarana. Following this the final sacrifice should be done (purnahuti) and then abhisheka. An ox is to be given to the Brahma, a cow, cloth, and bed to the acarya, and cloth to the rishi. Dakshina should be given to all. - In this way installing Tulasi Devi one should begin her regular worship along with Lord Vishnu. Whoever sees the marriage of Tulasi Devi will have all of the accumulated sins of his life removed. Whoever with devotion plants Tulasi, collects her leaves, or installs her along with Vishnu will achieve liberation, the abode of the Lord, all varieties of enjoyment, and will enjoy along with Shri Hari.
*The author is a well-known Vaishnava Acharya and a Head Priest of the famous Radharaman Mandir in Vrindavana, India.

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A Hindu perspective:
Tulsi Vivah or Marriage: This is perhaps the most sentimental but not the least important festival which falls on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik.  This story from padma Puram revolves round Tulsi, the plant Ocimum Sanctum which in her former birth was Vrinda, the daughter of a giant named Nemi, and the faithful wife of demon Jalandhar. Being born in water Jalandhar claims sovereignty over the ocean and demands the 14 treasures churned out of the ocean in Vishnu's second incarnation.  He declares war and becomes a cause of danger to the gods. More so because of a boon that he would be free drom death till his wife Vrinda was chaste.  As a last resort to kill Jalandhar, Vishnu beguiles Vrinda by assuming her husband's form. Vrinda in her wrath cruses and turns Lord Vishnu into a Black stone (Salagram) for his deceit.  Vishnu too retaliates but in admiration of her impeachable chastity and piety, he transfers her into the sacred Tulsi plant and promises to marry her annually on this day of Kartik. The origin of the ammonite black stone or Salagram found on the bed of the river Gandaki may be attributed to their legend.
As a consequence, all devout Hindu women worship the Tulsi plant with flowers and milk assuming Lord Krishna to be present on it on this auspicious day.  Literally a mock marriage is performed between the Tulsi and the Salagram.  The belief is that one who performs this ceremony of giving away Tulsi considering them to be one's own daughters, gets the credit as making a Kanyadan which is regarded as an extremely meritorious act in pur religion.  This sacred ceremonial day marks the auspicious opening of the annual marriage season of the Hindus.

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Simple Vivaha Prayog:
One can dress Her pot in a nice Red skirt.
One can adorn her branches with red bangles, red kum kum, and red bindhis.
As a mangal sutra one can use a fresh or dried Haldi (tumeric) root.
and garland her with red garlands.
If you have a Shaligram you can perform the Vivaha for them as you would for any yajuman who would undergo it.
Here we have a VERY simplified form of that.
Kanya Sampradanam - Giving of the bride:
The bride  is  given away by her father or guardian after reciting of her lineage  and pedigree together with that of the groom.
Honouring  of the groom.  The groom is given a seat and is honoured
Tie the kankabandanam red thread to each of Them.(symbolically His right wrist Her left wrist)
Meditate upon anointing Their wrists with oils and chandan, and just touch it to Their bodies.
Mala Dharanam - exchange of garlands:
Place a nice garland on the Tulsi plant and the Swayamvyakta Shaligram. Exchange the garlands three times. Her's garlands Him and then His garlands Her, like that. Tulasi first to garland her lord, claiming her swayamvarya rite.
Sindhur Danam - anointing the bride with sindhur:
On His behalf mark her leaves and upper trunk with sindhur three times, His claiming her as His own.

OM SINDHUR IVA PRADHVANE SUGHANASO
   VATA PRAMIYAH PATAYANTI YAHVAH
   GHRTASYA DHARA ARUSO NAH VAJI
   KASTHA BHINDAN URMIBHIH PINVAMANAH

Mangal Sutra Dharanam - Placing of the sacred Tali:
The sacred thread and ornament (mangal sutra) are sanctified and then tied around the bride's neck as a symbol of her marital status, the sister of the groom helps him with this and is given a present by the bride's family. A girdle symbolizing chastity is tied around her waist (can be tied around the pot or laid on the soil as if her waist.

mangal yatantunanena bhartr jiva ahetunaa
    kanthe bandhnami subhage saa jiva saradah shatam

Vastra Bandhanam - Tying their cloth, making their bond strong:
Trying the upper clothes. Granthi banadhanam - binding their marriage bond. The Shaligram will need an angavaastra specially for this which can be tied to the upper part of the vaastra that Tulsi is wearing - keep these bound for seven nights from now.
Sprinkle the bonded cloth with waster from the samanya arghya.
Laja Homa - Offering of Puffed Rice for the longevity of the husband, and fertility of wife:
This ritual is done to pray for the well-being of the bride  and her future offspring as well as prosperity and happiness for all the family.
You may have to meditate upon this only.

OM IDAM ASMANAM AROHA
   ASMEVA TVAM STHIRA BHAVA
   DVISANTAM APAVADHASYA
   MA CA TVAM DVISATAM ADHAH

"Mount this stone, and like a stone be steadfast in devotion at the feet of the Lord. Annihilate those who would dare harm you. May you never fall under their influence."

Saptapadi Grahanam - The symbolic taking of seven steps representing seven great sacrifices of Vivaha:
The couple take seven steps together symbolic of the journey of life which they are beginning and in which they will be inseparable companions. Each step is sanctified with a blessing.

  1.  OM EKAM ISE VISNUH TVA NAYATU
   "One: May Lord Visnu lead you to strength."
  2.  OM DVE URJE VISNUH TVA NAYATU
   "Two: May Lord Visnu lead you to power."
  3.  OM TRINI VRATAYA VISNUH TVA NYATU
   "Three: May Lord Visnu lead you to uphold your vows."
  4.  OM CATVARI MAYOBHAVAYA VISNUH TVA NAYATU
   "Four: May Lord Visnu lead you to happiness."
  5. OM PANCA PASUBHYO VISNUH TVA NAYATU
   "Five: May Lord Visnu lead you to plenty of cows."
  6.  OM SAD RAYAS POSAYA VISNUH TVA NAYATU
   "Six: May Lord Visnu lead you to multiplying spiritual wealth."
  7.  OM SAPTA SAPRABHYO HOTRABHYO VISNUH TVA NAYATU
   "Seven: May Lord Visnu lead you to maintain these seven sacrifices."

Pani Grahanam - Joining Them in wedlock:
Taking of the Hand. The groom formally accepts the bride and takes her hand while reciting ritual formulae.
Meditate upon Their holding hands and recite the following.
"For good fortune I join your hands so that you may attain old age in the company of your husband.  The four Kumaras have given you to him for performance of household duties.
"Be gentle-eyed, protecting your husband.  Be kind to the animals, be good minded, beautiful.  Be the mother of heroes, mother of life, and dear to Lord Krsna, bringing the highest happiness.  In this way be good to us all, both man and beast.
"May Vishnu generate progeny for you.  May Lord Krsna keep you together until old age.  Enter now your husband's house, with auspiciousness.  In this way be good to us, both man and beast.
"Oh Vishnu, impregnate her, make fine, strong sons in her.  Put ten sons in her, make eleven men in their house.
"Be the ruler of your husband's father.  Be the ruler of your husband's mother.  Be the ruler of your husband's sisters.  Be the ruler of your husband's brothers.
"May your heart be fixed on life's higher goals.  May your mind follow after that of your husband.  With body and soul be devoted to his words.  May Lord Visnu join you together."
    Shower them with akshata (dry uncooked rice coloured with tumeric).

OM ASMIN VIVAHA KARMANI
ANGA HINAM KRIYAN HINAM VIDHI HINAM CA YAD BHAVET
ASTU TAT SARVA ACCHIDRAM KRSNA KARSNA PRASADATAH
YAT KINCIT CAIGUNYAM JATAM
TAD DOSA PRASAMANAYA
SRI VISNU SMARANAM KAROMI

"May all deficiencies in rules and activities of the vivaha ceremony be absolved by the mercy of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees. I now remember that Supreme Lord Vishnu in order to nullify whatever faults there may be there in the proceedings."
Sri Sriyuts Tulasi & Shaligram Vivaha ki jaya