seeing through the eyes of scriptures
the question was who is Suta Goswami
SB says Suta Goswami was the son of Romarhasana Suta after he was killed by Lord Balarama with his Kusa grass he became the main speaker in Naimisaranya
from http://www.dharmakshetra.com/sages/Suta%20Gowami.htm
Suta Goswami
When Sukadeva goswami gave his lecture there in the audience was Suta Goswami a very sharp hearing man, srutidhara. Srutidhara is one who having only once heard something keeps it in his memory, and Suta, having those qualities, was present in that meeting. The fourth sitting was in Naimisaranya where the rsis, apprehending the manifestation, of Kali-yuga, commenced and engaged themselves in a one thousand year campaign, yajna. Finding Suta Goswami they said, "We have got a good opportunity in the evening to hear about the Absolute and we heard that you, Suta, were present in that mysterious and famous assembly where Sukadeva gave his lecture about Bhagavatam and you memorized it all perfectly. We now humbly request that you deliver by way of lecture to us that Bhagavatam." Suta Goswami accepted their proposal and that was the last sitting in the form of regular evening lectures. Sixty thousand or so rsis, the scholars and performers of sacrifices, assembled to hear from him. It was after this sitting that Vyasadeva took the whole thing and compiled it in book form and made it public.
Thousands of sages were amalgamated at the holy place Naimisaranya to perform a sacrifice. Fortunately the great sage Suta Goswami arrived there along with his disciples. The sages present there became very happy upon seeing him. They all stood up immediately from their sitting place to pay respect to the great sage. They offered a very nice Vyasasana to Suta Goswami and respected him with folded hands to be seated on his vyasasana. The sages of Naimisaranya said to Suta Goswami with folded hands O Sutaji! all of us request you please tell us some thing about the wonderful activities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are many thousands of stories but we want to listen to the most perfect one, by following which we all can be delivered from this material ocean of repeated birth and death and return back to Godhead.
By listening to all these requests made by the sages headed by Saunaka risi, Suta Goswami spoke: "O sages please listen to me, at first I went to Puskara Tirtha then after visiting thousands of other holy places I reached Hastinapur. There I saw at the bank of Ganges thousands of sages sitting together with Parikshit Maharaj, then the great sage Sukadev Goswami appeared. There all the sages present paid proper respect to him with folded hands. All the sages, unanimously offered a lotus vyasasan to Sukadev Goswami which was meant for him so he could speak Krishna katha to Parikshit Maharaj.
" Suta Goswami said: "O sages I have just come from that place Hastinapur after listening to Srimad Bhagavatam from the Lotus mouth of Sukadev Goswami.
Now I am going to tell you the most interesting activities and pastimes of the Lord.
Once, long ago Narada Muni reached Badrika Ashram the residence of Lord Narayan risi. The River Alakananda was flowing down from His lotus feet. So Narada paid his obeisance to Narayan and started praying . O' Lord of demigods, O' ocean of mercy ! O master of creation you are all truthful, trisatya, essence of all truths. So I am paying my obeisance unto you." O' Lord ! in this material world all the living entities are busy in sense gratification. They have forgotten the ultimate aim of their life. So please explain to me some thing which will be helpful both for the householders and sages in renounced order like me, to attain self realization and return back to Godhead.
Listing to such sweet words of Narada, Lord Narayan smiled and said, O' Narada please listen about the pious past times and activities of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna which will diminish all the sinful reactions of past Karmas. O' Narada you already know all the activities of the Supreme Lord, but for the benefit of others you are asking again.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bimal Prasad
To: narasimha44@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Apr 26, 2010 6:45 am
Subject: Re: glories of Padmini ekadasi and Parama Ekadasis
HK,
PAMHO.
Could you explain me in detail who is Sri Suta Goswami
On Sun, Apr 25, 2010 at 6:31 PM, wrote:
Padmini Ekadasi - from the Skanda Purana.
Sri Suta Goswami said, Yudhishthira Maharaja said, Oh Janardana, what is
the name of the Ekadasi 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 Sri Krishna, replied, ¡Oh
PaNDava, the meritorious Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi.
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 Ekadasi,
which is rarely done even by great sages.
One should begin his fast on the Dashami, the day before Ekadasi, 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 Ekadasi the devotee should
rise early in the morning but should not brush his teeth. Then he should
thoroughly bathe ¨C 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, Sri 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 Sri Sri 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
Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi, 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 Ekadasi night, singing and playing
musical instruments for the transcendental pleasure of the Supreme Person.
During the first quarter of the Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi 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 Vajapeya-yajna. 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 Ekadasi.
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 Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi 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
Ekadasis. The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the extra month,
which is known as Parama Ekadasi, 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 (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 ¨C 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 ¨C who was born in the ikshvaku
dynasty, who was the best of all women, and who was the daughter of King
Harishchandra ¨C 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, lotus-eyed lady, usually there are twelve
months in a year, but after every thirty-two months an extra month is added,
and the two Ekadasis that occur during this month are called Padmini
Ekadasi and Parama Ekadasi. They fall on the Dvadasis 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, Sri 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 Ekadasi 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 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 Ekadasis that occur during this month are the most dear
to Me of all Ekadasis. 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 Ekadasi, 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, Sri Krishna, concluded, Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as
you have enquired from Me, i have explained to you the power of this special
Ekadasi. 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 Ekadasi.
SUta Goswami concluded, Oh sage Saunaka, i have explained to you all about
this meritorious Ekadasi. anyone who devotedly fasts on the Ekadasis 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 Ekadasis will also obtain great merit and ultimately
enter the abode of Lord Sri Hari..
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Padmini Ekadasi, the Ekadasi
that occurs during
the light fortnight of the extra, leap-year month of Purushottama, from the
Skanda PuraNa.
These stories have been summarised and slightly changed or abbreviated from
how they are found in the celebrated book, "Ekadasi: The Day of Lord Hari"
1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta institute Press. Pages 147-153
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 Narayana Mase Dec-Jan
22 Putrada Ekadasi Pausha - S Narayana Mase Dec-Jan
23 Trisprisha Ekadasi Magha - K Madhava Mase Jan-Feb
24 Bhaimi Ekadasi Magha - S Madhava Mase Jan-Feb
25 Vijaya - Jaya Phalguna - K Govinda Mase Feb-Mar
26 amalaki Ekadasi Phalguna - S Govinda Mase Feb-Mar
1 Papavimochani Ekadasi Chaitra - K Vishnu Mase Mar-apr
2 Kamada - Damanakaropani Ekadasi Chaitra - S Vishnu Mase Mar-apr
3 Varuthini Ekadasi Vaisakha - K Madhusudana Mase apr-May
4 Mohini Ekadasi Vaisakha - S Madhusudana Mase apr-May
5 apara Ekadasi Jyeshtha - K Trivikrama Mase May-June
6 Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi Jyeshtha - S Trivikrama Mase May-June
7 Yogini Ekadasi ashadha - K Vamana Mase June-July
8 Padma - Devasayani Ekadasi ashadha - S Vamana Mase June-July
9 Kamaika Ekadasi Shravana - K Sridhar Mase July-aug
10 Putrada - Pavitraropani Ekadasi Shravana - S Sridhar Mase July-aug
11 aja - annada Ekadasi Bhadrapada - K Hrisikesha Mase aug-Sept
12 Parivartini - Parshva Ekadasi Bhadrapada - S Hrisikesha Mase aug-Sept
13 indira Ekadasi aswina - K Padmanabha Mase Sept-Oct
14 Pashankusha Ekadasi aswina - S Padmanabha Mase Sept-Oct
15 Rama Ekadasi Karttika - K Damodara Mase Oct-Nov
16 Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthani (Uttana) Ekadasi Karttika - S
Damodara Mase Oct-Nov
17 Padmini - Vishuddha Ekadasi adikamase adikamase
18 Parama - Shuddha Ekadasi adikamase adikamase
from http://www.dharmakshetra.com/sages/Suta%20Gowami.htm
Suta Goswami
When Sukadeva goswami gave his lecture there in the audience was Suta Goswami a very sharp hearing man, srutidhara. Srutidhara is one who having only once heard something keeps it in his memory, and Suta, having those qualities, was present in that meeting. The fourth sitting was in Naimisaranya where the rsis, apprehending the manifestation, of Kali-yuga, commenced and engaged themselves in a one thousand year campaign, yajna. Finding Suta Goswami they said, "We have got a good opportunity in the evening to hear about the Absolute and we heard that you, Suta, were present in that mysterious and famous assembly where Sukadeva gave his lecture about Bhagavatam and you memorized it all perfectly. We now humbly request that you deliver by way of lecture to us that Bhagavatam." Suta Goswami accepted their proposal and that was the last sitting in the form of regular evening lectures. Sixty thousand or so rsis, the scholars and performers of sacrifices, assembled to hear from him. It was after this sitting that Vyasadeva took the whole thing and compiled it in book form and made it public.
Thousands of sages were amalgamated at the holy place Naimisaranya to perform a sacrifice. Fortunately the great sage Suta Goswami arrived there along with his disciples. The sages present there became very happy upon seeing him. They all stood up immediately from their sitting place to pay respect to the great sage. They offered a very nice Vyasasana to Suta Goswami and respected him with folded hands to be seated on his vyasasana. The sages of Naimisaranya said to Suta Goswami with folded hands O Sutaji! all of us request you please tell us some thing about the wonderful activities and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are many thousands of stories but we want to listen to the most perfect one, by following which we all can be delivered from this material ocean of repeated birth and death and return back to Godhead.
By listening to all these requests made by the sages headed by Saunaka risi, Suta Goswami spoke: "O sages please listen to me, at first I went to Puskara Tirtha then after visiting thousands of other holy places I reached Hastinapur. There I saw at the bank of Ganges thousands of sages sitting together with Parikshit Maharaj, then the great sage Sukadev Goswami appeared. There all the sages present paid proper respect to him with folded hands. All the sages, unanimously offered a lotus vyasasan to Sukadev Goswami which was meant for him so he could speak Krishna katha to Parikshit Maharaj.
" Suta Goswami said: "O sages I have just come from that place Hastinapur after listening to Srimad Bhagavatam from the Lotus mouth of Sukadev Goswami.
Now I am going to tell you the most interesting activities and pastimes of the Lord.
Once, long ago Narada Muni reached Badrika Ashram the residence of Lord Narayan risi. The River Alakananda was flowing down from His lotus feet. So Narada paid his obeisance to Narayan and started praying . O' Lord of demigods, O' ocean of mercy ! O master of creation you are all truthful, trisatya, essence of all truths. So I am paying my obeisance unto you." O' Lord ! in this material world all the living entities are busy in sense gratification. They have forgotten the ultimate aim of their life. So please explain to me some thing which will be helpful both for the householders and sages in renounced order like me, to attain self realization and return back to Godhead.
Listing to such sweet words of Narada, Lord Narayan smiled and said, O' Narada please listen about the pious past times and activities of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna which will diminish all the sinful reactions of past Karmas. O' Narada you already know all the activities of the Supreme Lord, but for the benefit of others you are asking again.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bimal Prasad
To: narasimha44@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Apr 26, 2010 6:45 am
Subject: Re: glories of Padmini ekadasi and Parama Ekadasis
HK,
PAMHO.
Could you explain me in detail who is Sri Suta Goswami
On Sun, Apr 25, 2010 at 6:31 PM, wrote:
Padmini Ekadasi - from the Skanda Purana.
Sri Suta Goswami said, Yudhishthira Maharaja said, Oh Janardana, what is
the name of the Ekadasi 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 Sri Krishna, replied, ¡Oh
PaNDava, the meritorious Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi.
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 Ekadasi,
which is rarely done even by great sages.
One should begin his fast on the Dashami, the day before Ekadasi, 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 Ekadasi the devotee should
rise early in the morning but should not brush his teeth. Then he should
thoroughly bathe ¨C 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, Sri 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 Sri Sri 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
Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi, 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 Ekadasi night, singing and playing
musical instruments for the transcendental pleasure of the Supreme Person.
During the first quarter of the Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi 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 Vajapeya-yajna. 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 Ekadasi.
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 Ekadasi 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 Ekadasi 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
Ekadasis. The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the extra month,
which is known as Parama Ekadasi, 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 (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 ¨C 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 ¨C who was born in the ikshvaku
dynasty, who was the best of all women, and who was the daughter of King
Harishchandra ¨C 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, lotus-eyed lady, usually there are twelve
months in a year, but after every thirty-two months an extra month is added,
and the two Ekadasis that occur during this month are called Padmini
Ekadasi and Parama Ekadasi. They fall on the Dvadasis 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, Sri 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 Ekadasi 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 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 Ekadasis that occur during this month are the most dear
to Me of all Ekadasis. 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 Ekadasi, 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, Sri Krishna, concluded, Oh sinless Yudhishthira, as
you have enquired from Me, i have explained to you the power of this special
Ekadasi. 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 Ekadasi.
SUta Goswami concluded, Oh sage Saunaka, i have explained to you all about
this meritorious Ekadasi. anyone who devotedly fasts on the Ekadasis 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 Ekadasis will also obtain great merit and ultimately
enter the abode of Lord Sri Hari..
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Padmini Ekadasi, the Ekadasi
that occurs during
the light fortnight of the extra, leap-year month of Purushottama, from the
Skanda PuraNa.
These stories have been summarised and slightly changed or abbreviated from
how they are found in the celebrated book, "Ekadasi: The Day of Lord Hari"
1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta institute Press. Pages 147-153
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 Narayana Mase Dec-Jan
22 Putrada Ekadasi Pausha - S Narayana Mase Dec-Jan
23 Trisprisha Ekadasi Magha - K Madhava Mase Jan-Feb
24 Bhaimi Ekadasi Magha - S Madhava Mase Jan-Feb
25 Vijaya - Jaya Phalguna - K Govinda Mase Feb-Mar
26 amalaki Ekadasi Phalguna - S Govinda Mase Feb-Mar
1 Papavimochani Ekadasi Chaitra - K Vishnu Mase Mar-apr
2 Kamada - Damanakaropani Ekadasi Chaitra - S Vishnu Mase Mar-apr
3 Varuthini Ekadasi Vaisakha - K Madhusudana Mase apr-May
4 Mohini Ekadasi Vaisakha - S Madhusudana Mase apr-May
5 apara Ekadasi Jyeshtha - K Trivikrama Mase May-June
6 Pandava Nirjal Ekadasi Jyeshtha - S Trivikrama Mase May-June
7 Yogini Ekadasi ashadha - K Vamana Mase June-July
8 Padma - Devasayani Ekadasi ashadha - S Vamana Mase June-July
9 Kamaika Ekadasi Shravana - K Sridhar Mase July-aug
10 Putrada - Pavitraropani Ekadasi Shravana - S Sridhar Mase July-aug
11 aja - annada Ekadasi Bhadrapada - K Hrisikesha Mase aug-Sept
12 Parivartini - Parshva Ekadasi Bhadrapada - S Hrisikesha Mase aug-Sept
13 indira Ekadasi aswina - K Padmanabha Mase Sept-Oct
14 Pashankusha Ekadasi aswina - S Padmanabha Mase Sept-Oct
15 Rama Ekadasi Karttika - K Damodara Mase Oct-Nov
16 Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthani (Uttana) Ekadasi Karttika - S
Damodara Mase Oct-Nov
17 Padmini - Vishuddha Ekadasi adikamase adikamase
18 Parama - Shuddha Ekadasi adikamase adikamase
Views: 8103
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Comment by Paramananda das on April 27, 2010 at 8:24am
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HH Ballabha Tirtha Maharaja has stated about Suta Goswami and how the Bhagavatam was spoken 4 times:Veda Vyas Muni narrated the glories of Sri Krishna first to his disciple-son Sri Sukadeva Goswami. Actually, the first sitting of the Bhagavatam was at Badrinarayan, where the speaker was Veda Vyas Muni and listener was only one: Sukadeva Goswami. Badrinarayan is Vaikuntha Dham. So the place of speaking and hearing was holy and completely calm and serene. The second sitting of the Bhagavatam was at Sukartal by the side of the bank of the Ganges-still now quiet and secluded. At Sukartal, the speaker was Sukadeva Goswami and listeners were many prominent rishi-munis and kings of India. There was pin-drop silence. No disturbance of the hubbub of the worldly people. Parikshit Maharaj, being cursed by a Brahmin went to Sukartal to get advice of the rishis-munis. The sages advised different paths. Parikshit Maharaj was puzzled and took shelter to Supreme Lord Sri Krishna to show him the actual path of eternal welfare. Subsequently, Sukadeva Goswami set his holy footprints there and advised him to only hear Bhagavatam – Krishna-katha. Parikshit Maharaj was attracted by his spiritual personality, heard him for seven days continuously, without taking food, water and rest. We have to carefully note about the selection of the place for hari-katha. The third and last sitting of the Bhagavatam was at Naimisaranya, where sixty thousand rishis heard the Bhagavatam from Suta Goswami. Here also the place selected was holy, calm and serene and there was pin-drop silence. Supreme Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Guru (Baladeva Prabhu) taught one lesson here. Romaharshan Suta Goswami started speaking the Bagavatam, but Lord Baladeva punished him for his vanity and replaced him by his son Uggrasrava Suta Goswami.,this is in the 10 canto
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actually our understanding is Srila Vyasadeva spoke the Bhagavatam and Sukadeva heard it in the belly of his mother this is confirmed in the 9th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam
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