Kātyāyani Vrata

[Paramananda das]

After Kartika comes Katyayani Vrata
It is embarrassing to preach about because Lord Krsna stole the cloth of the Gopis , not actually that of Sri Radha and the Nitya siddha Gopis but that of the Sadhana Siddhas..in Garga Samhita .Sri Garga Muni has given the many details of so many kind of Gopis that joined Krsna from the conditioned stage such as the sages of Dandakaranya and the Vedas personified .You really have to read the Garga Samhita to get the full knowledge of these pastimes .The Gopis that worshipped Lord Ananta Sesa in their last life to attain Lord Balarama as His Gopis but where given Balarama Sahasra Nama and Balarama Gayatri and so many ways to worship Lord Baladeva.Interesting is that the Gopis from the conditioned state Sadhana Siddhas worshipped Katyanyani ,Godess Durga for this month and observed it by taking only Havisana , just like in Kartika.So for example Aindra Prabhu during Katyayani Vrata would also observe it with only taking Havisana and often he would go to Yamuna and bathe daily ..Every time we bath in Yamuna and even remember Her we make spiritual advancement .At the end of the Katyayani Vrata Krsna stole the clothing of the Gopis ,that making them His wifes as no one can see a woman naked except for her husband at the time of conception of a child .Of course this is Sri Krsnas Parakiya lilas.Unwedded love, for Krsna wether married or not does not matter,There is nothing immoral in the love of Krsna and the Gopis.There are eternally married to Sri Krsna.Srila Jiva Goswami explained this in his many writtings , and promoted Svakiya Rasa amrried love.Sri Radha is eternally married to Sri Krsna, and during Sri Krsnas pastimes Krsna set up a pastime in Bhandiravana where He married Sri Radha , and Lord Brahma himself did the wedding.So in Vrindavana some strict Vaisnavas observe Katyayani Vrata, you can also do it outside of Vraja location is not important.We can observe it even if we have no desire to be sri Krsnas manjaris.We can observe it in the mood that please Sri Krsna allow me entrance into your pastimes and see your pastimes all of them as much you allow me to participate.Some of Krsnas sakhas ,the Priya Narma Sakhas also saw Krsna steal the Gopis cloth ,because they have the adhikara.So for those who aspire for being a Priya Narma Sakha they pray dear Radha Krsna I observe this Kartyani Vrata so I can one day see yoru beautiful pastimes in Yamuna and by Yamuna and everywhere you perform you many lila.In the month of Katyayani observing celibacy and chanting 64 rounds of more is recommended and studying these pastimes also from Srila Prabhupadas Krsna book and chapter 22 of the 10 canto of Srimad Bhagavatam ,So for Gaudiya Vaisnavas Katyayani Vrata is not a time for sense gratification just because of Sri Krsna stole the Gopis cloth.It is a month to observe strict celibacy and read books like Bhakti Vikas Swamis Brahmacarya in Krsna consciouness.The main reason we are in the material world is due to attachments to money and the opposite sex ,so this is a good month to renounce such attachments completly ,not only in this month but every month, everything is for Krsnas pleasure none if for mine

[Paramananda das]

not only this month but every month