seeing through the eyes of scriptures
fasting on apperance days of Visnutattva
Please accept my humble obaisences
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
First please note this sloka: ekadasyam sahasrena yat phalam labhate narah Radha janma astami punyam tasmat satagu nadhikam :whatever result one can attain by fasting on 1000 ekadasis one hundred times greater results can be attained by fasting on Radhastami and Janmastami days Brahma Khanda of Padma Purana 7.8
maaghe maasi site pakshe
trayo-dashyaam tithau sadaa
uposhanam pujanam ca
shri-nityaananda-vaasare
yad yat sah kurute kaamam
tat tad eva labhen narah
Paatha Mahaatmya:-
The most fortunate soul, who recites this Stotra, fasts and offers worship to the Supreme Lord Shri Nityananda Prabhu on the most auspicious thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Maagha{Jan-Feb} [ Shri Nityananda Trayodashi Tithi ], will certainly have all of ones desires quickly fulfilled.
This is written by Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in his 108 names of Lord Nityananda I grew up in ISKCON fasting till evenig on Nityananda trayodasi since 1979. In Gaudya math also it is a a fast either till noon or evening and then ekadasi prasadam is served and some Gaudiya maths fasts completely till next day.
Taking grains is never a fast .Grains can first be taken the following day .Srila Prabhupada established Janmastami fasting uptil midnight and then anukalpa prasadam and also showed on the first Janmastami in ISKCON that just fruits where served after midnight .Srila Prabhupada asked for half day fasting on Radhastami
Srila Prabhupada on Gaura Purnima fasting :
"So far the Advent Day of Lord Caitanya is concerned, I have written a full suggestion to Montreal, in which the main points are that we should all observe strict fasting up till moonrise, and at that time, an offering is made to Lord Caitanya of Ekadasi foods, fruits, peanuts, milk, and so forth. Then, on the next day, Friday the 15th, a full-scale feast is held to celebrate His Advent Day. On the 14th, chanting, reading of Srila Bhaktivinode's book, Life and Precepts and Caitanya Caritamrta, Introduction to Bhagavatam, may be held all the day in the Temple." (San Francisco, written 12th March 1968 letter to Balai)
"The injunction to fast on Ekädasi is especially meant for devotees; on Ekädasi there are no restrictions regarding food that may be offered to the Lord. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu took the food of Lord Vishnu in His ecstasy as vishnu-tattva".(CC Adi-lila 10:71 purport.)
"Lord Caitanya's Appearance day falls on March 22 (1970), that is on a Sunday. The devotees should fast until evening, when there is a ceremony and offering of a small amount of Ekadasi preparations. The next day, the devotees should celebrate amongst themselves with a small scale feast. You may hold the celebration open to the public on the following Sunday. The preparation to be offered specially on this occasion is bhuni kichri: Fry equal parts dal and rice in ghee and massala. Add two times water as dal and rice, and add vegetables (if you use more ghee, use less water). Cook it until it is dried and the rice is soft."(Letter to Krishna dasa. 18th February 1970. Los Angeles.)
"P.S. No feasting in the evening of Caitanya's birthday. Fasting all day till evening moon rise. Then take Prasadam like Ekadasi. Next day you can have full swing feasting. On the birthday if can take a procession of Kirtana on the street it is very nice." (Post Script to Letter to Rayarama dasa. September. Unknown place unknown date Ref:91-05-14.)
Srila Prabhupada writes only ekadasi style prasadam prasadam ,anukalpa prasadam
here is one quote from Hare Krsna explosion: There is an amusing discription of the first ISKCON janmastami "feast" as described by Hayagriva Prabhu in his biography "Hare Krishna Explosion pg 62" He writes:"as midnight approaches, we hungrily envision the great birthday feast of Lord Krishna, mountains of succulent prasadam: cake and kachoris, halava and puris, sabji, sweet rice, samosas and gulabjamuns. Just a few minutes before midnight, Swamiji finally descends from his kitchen with the Prasadam. But our faces drop. There is only a platter of cut fruit."
more on Gaura Purnima:
"You can take quotations from the above mentioned books, and have discussions.
Fasting should be continued up to evening, then you may have food like on Ekadasi, fruits, milk, etc. On the next day you may observe festival. Janardana consulted me and said he thinks Sunday feasting would be best, so you may do that if you like. Or you may do both days, as you feel best."(Letter to Mahapurush. 7th March 1968. Regarding Gaura Purnima)
Fasting should be continued up to evening, then you may have food like on Ekadasi, fruits, milk, etc. On the next day you may observe festival. Janardana consulted me and said he thinks Sunday feasting would be best, so you may do that if you like. Or you may do both days, as you feel best."(Letter to Mahapurush. 7th March 1968. Regarding Gaura Purnima)
"We performed Lord Caitanya's Birthday ceremony, not very gorgeously, but amongst ourselves, and Govinda dasi cooked very nice Ekadasi foodstuffs. The next day I expected some big ceremony but it couldn't be performed. (Letter to Purusottam. 6th March 1969. Hawaii)
Ramanavami :
E.BOM Lectures
So this process should be adopted, how to become sukrtina. Sukrti means yajna-dana-tapa-kriya. One must perform sacrifices as prescribed in the sastras, and they must give in charity their hard-earned money for Krsna's cause. That is called dana. Yajna, dana, and tapasya. Tapasya. Just like tomorrow is Sri Rama-navami. The tapasya will be that all the devotees will observe fasting from morning till evening. This is called tapasya. Just like Ekadasi day–there is no eating sumptuously. Simply you take little fruits and flowers. Try to avoid that also. You don't take even water. That is really ekadasi. But because we cannot do it–in the Kali-yuga the time is different–therefore we are allowed to take little fruit and milk, which is called anukalpa. These are different methods of tapasya. And yajna. This yajna, sankirtanaih prayair yajnaih, yajanti hi su-medhasah. In this age you cannot perform that big asvamedha yajna, gomedha yajna, rajasuya yajna, so many other yajnas. It is not possible. First of all, you have no means to perform such yajnas, hundreds and hundreds of tons ghee required for putting into the sacrificial fire. You have not even a drop of your ghee. So forget all those yajnas. In this age, yajnaih sankirtanaih prayaih.
So this process should be adopted, how to become sukrtina. Sukrti means yajna-dana-tapa-kriya. One must perform sacrifices as prescribed in the sastras, and they must give in charity their hard-earned money for Krsna's cause. That is called dana. Yajna, dana, and tapasya. Tapasya. Just like tomorrow is Sri Rama-navami. The tapasya will be that all the devotees will observe fasting from morning till evening. This is called tapasya. Just like Ekadasi day–there is no eating sumptuously. Simply you take little fruits and flowers. Try to avoid that also. You don't take even water. That is really ekadasi. But because we cannot do it–in the Kali-yuga the time is different–therefore we are allowed to take little fruit and milk, which is called anukalpa. These are different methods of tapasya. And yajna. This yajna, sankirtanaih prayair yajnaih, yajanti hi su-medhasah. In this age you cannot perform that big asvamedha yajna, gomedha yajna, rajasuya yajna, so many other yajnas. It is not possible. First of all, you have no means to perform such yajnas, hundreds and hundreds of tons ghee required for putting into the sacrificial fire. You have not even a drop of your ghee. So forget all those yajnas. In this age, yajnaih sankirtanaih prayaih.
8-03-26.Letter: Mukunda
Please accept my blessings. I am sorry I am delayed to reply your letter dated March 14, 1968, which I received over a week ago. I am very glad that you are repentant even for some action which is not sanctioned by me. This attitude is very nice and improves one in progressing on the path of devotional service. The Rakhi Bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of Prasad isn't approved by our Vaisnava rituals. Of course, such ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a socio-religious convention. But in our Vaisnava community there is no such observance. Now, forget the incidence, and in future don't be misled by some unauthorized person. Our next ceremony is Lord Ramacandra's Birthday, on the 7th of April. It should be observed in the same way as Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept Prasadam, and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous Kirtana, of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama. That will make all our functions successful.
Please accept my blessings. I am sorry I am delayed to reply your letter dated March 14, 1968, which I received over a week ago. I am very glad that you are repentant even for some action which is not sanctioned by me. This attitude is very nice and improves one in progressing on the path of devotional service. The Rakhi Bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of Prasad isn't approved by our Vaisnava rituals. Of course, such ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a socio-religious convention. But in our Vaisnava community there is no such observance. Now, forget the incidence, and in future don't be misled by some unauthorized person. Our next ceremony is Lord Ramacandra's Birthday, on the 7th of April. It should be observed in the same way as Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept Prasadam, and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous Kirtana, of Hare Krishna, Hare Rama. That will make all our functions successful.
68-03-28.Letter: Mahapurusa
So far the Advent Day of Lord Rama Candra, it should be celebrated as Lord Caitanya's Birthday was done. Fasting up to evening, and then take prasadam, and chant Hare Krishna whole day, and be engaged in reading and chanting off and on, chant for some time, then read for some time, then again have Kirtana and so on, throughout the day. If you have not got a Ramayana, then you can read Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam, that is all right.
So far the Advent Day of Lord Rama Candra, it should be celebrated as Lord Caitanya's Birthday was done. Fasting up to evening, and then take prasadam, and chant Hare Krishna whole day, and be engaged in reading and chanting off and on, chant for some time, then read for some time, then again have Kirtana and so on, throughout the day. If you have not got a Ramayana, then you can read Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam, that is all right.
770326r2.bom Conversations
Prabhupada: Rama-navami is upavasa up till the... Go to observe fasting up to the evening.
Tamala Krsna: So moon.
Prabhupada: Sunset.
Prabhupada: Rama-navami is upavasa up till the... Go to observe fasting up to the evening.
Tamala Krsna: So moon.
Prabhupada: Sunset.
Narasimha Caturdasi is fasting til dusk in ISKCON then ekadasi Prasadam:
Here is some glories about Narasimha Caturdasi :
Actually best is to fast for 24 hours Nirjala fast this is what Lord Narasimha recommends to Prahlada Maharaja and this is recorded
in Narasimha Purana.In ISKCON we generally fast til Dusk and take ekadasi prasadam ,grains prasadam brakes the fast, so it is best to avoid until the next day:This is from Sanatana Goswamis Haribhakti Vilasa about Narasimha Caturdasi :
please read this carefully :
Text 414
atha çré narasiàha caturddaçé (The vow of Çré Narasiàha Caturdaçé)
vaiçäkhasya caturddaçyäà
çukläyäà çré nåkeçaré
jätas tadasyäà tat püjot
savaà kurvvéta savratam
Lord Nåsiàhadeva appeared on the fourteenth day in the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Vaiçäkha. Therefore, one should observe all the vows related to this auspicious day and worship the Lord with love and devotion.
Text 415
atha narasiàha caturddaçé vratanityatä
(Çré Narasiàha Caturdaçé vrata is eternal)
våhannärasiàhapuräëe çré bhagavan nåsiàha prahläda saàväde vrata vidhikathane
(In a conversation between Lord Nåsiàhadeva and Prahläda
that is found in the Båhan Nåsiàha Puräëa it is said)
varñe varñe tu karttavyaà
mama saàtuñöi käraëam
mahäguhyam idaà çreñöhaà
mänavair bhava bhérubhiù
For My pleasure, every year, one should observe the vow of Caturdaçé. Those who are very fearful of material existence should certainly observe this most confidential and excellent vow.
Text 416
kéïca (It is also said)
vijïäya maddinaà yastu
laìghayet sa tu päpabhäk
evaà jïätvä prakarttavyaà
maddine vratam uttamam
anyathä narakaà yäti
yävac candra diväkarau
One who purposely transgresses this vow incurs sin. Knowing this, one should observe this supreme vow otherwise, he will continue to rot in hell for as long as the sun and the moon rise in the sky.
Text 417
atha taträdhikäri nirëayaù (A proper candidate for observing this vow)
tatraiva (In the same Puräëa it is stated)
sarvveñäm eva lokänäm
adhikäro’sti madvrate
madbhaktaistu viçeñeëa
praëeyaà matparäyaëaiù
Everyone is eligible to observe this vow—especially My devotees and those who are inclined toward Me must observe it.
Text 418
atha tanmähätmyam (The glories of this vow)
tatraiva çré prahläda uväca (In the same Puräëa, Prahläda has said)
namaste bhagavän viñëo
nåsiàha vapuñe namaù
tvadbhakto’haà sureçaikaà
tväà prapåcchämi tattvataù
O Supreme Lord! O Viñëu, I bow do wn to You. O Lord Nåsiàhadeva, I offer my obeisances to You. I am Your devotee. O Lord of lords, I now express to You my heartfelt inquiry.
Text 419
svämià stvayi mamotpannä
bhaktir bahuvidhä katham
kathante supriyo jätaù
käraëaà vada me prabho
O Lord, how did I develop such intense devotion for You? O my Lord, kindly tell me—how did I become Your exalted devotee?
Text 420
çré nåsiàha uväca (Lord Nåsiàhadeva said)
kathayämi mahäpräjïa
0D
çåëu ñvaikägra mänasaù
bhakteryat käraëaà vatsa
priyatvasya ca tat punaù
O greatly learned one! O my son, listen carefully as I explain to you the reason for your devotion to Me that has made you very dear to Me.
Text 421
puräkalpe hyabhürvipraù
kiïcittvaà näpyadhétavän
nämnä ca vasudevo hi
veçyäyäà tatparo hyabhuù
In the ancient times, you were born as a brähmaëa but you did not study any of the scriptures. Your name was Vasudeva and you became attached to a prostitute.
Text 422
tasmin janmani naiva tvaà
cakartha sukåata kiyat
muktvä tu madvrataà caikaà
veçyä saìgati lälasaù
madvratasya prabhäveëa
bhaktir jätä taveò åçé
In that birth, you became so attached to a prostitute that you did not bother to perform any pious activity, except for a single vow in relation to Me. As a result of observing that vow, you developed exalted devotion for Me.
Text 423
çré prahläda uväca (Prahläda then said)
çåé nåsiàhäcyuta svämin
kasya putreëa kià kåtam
veçyäyäà varttamänena
kathaà taddhi kåtaà mayä
äkhyänaà vistareëedaà
vaktumarhasi sämpratam
O Lord Nåsiàadevadeva! O Acyuta! O Supreme Lord, who was my father in that lifetime? What was my duty? How did I observe Your vow, even though I was attached to a prostitute? Kindly explain all this to me in detail.
Text 424
çré nåsiàha uvC3ca (Lord Nåsiàhadeva said)
purävantipure hyäséd
brähmaëo vedapäragaù
tannäma vasuçarmmati
sarvvalokeñu viçrutam
In ancient times, there was a brähmaëa who was well-versed in the Vedic literature. He lived in the city of Avantépura and was known as Vasu Çarmä.
Texts 425-426
nityaà homa kriyä meña
karoti dvijasattamaù
brahma kriyäsu satataà
sarvväsu kila tatpataù
agniñöomädibhir yajïair
iñöäù sarvve surottamäù
tenäpi vidyamänena
na kåtaà duñkåtaà kiyat
This pious brähmaëa used to perform fire sacrifice every day. He was very expert in performing all kinds of Vedic rituals and as such, he would satisfy the best of demigods by performing the agniñöoma sacrifice. In that state of living, he did not commit any sinful activity.
Text 427
t asya bhäryyä suçéläbhüd
vikhyätä bhuvanatraye
pativratä sadäcärä
pati bhakti paräyaëä
0A
His wife was very pious and humble. She was famous throughout the three worlds. She was chaste, expert in performing all kinds of pious activities, and always eager to serve her husband.
Text 428
jajïire ca sutäù païca
tasyäà dvija varättataù
sadäcäräù suvidvämsaù
pitåbhakti paräyaëäù
teñäà madhye kaniñöhastvaà
veçyäyäà tatparaù sadä
That exalted brähamaëa begot five sons within the womb of his wife. These sons were very pious, learned, and devoted to their father. Among them, you were the youngest and you became attached to a prostitute.
Text 429
täà sanniñeva mäëena
suräpänaà kåtaà tvayä
sadä päparatastvaà hi
näkåtha adhyayanaà bhåçam
Due to being attached to a prostitute, you became accustomed to drinking wine and performing other sinful activities, so that you never engaged in the study of the Vedas.
Text 430
viläsiné gåhe nityaà
vasatir hyabhavattava
ekadä tadgåhe hyäsét
tayä saha mahän kaliù
You spent most of your time at the house of the prostitute. One day, however, you and her quarreled.
Text 431
tataù kalahabhävena
bhojanaà na kåtaà tvayä
ajïänän madvrataà cakre
vratänäm uttamaà vratam
Because of that quarrel, you missed your meal that day and as a result, you unknowingly observed a sacred vow in relation to Me.
Text 432
tayä saha vivädena
rätrau jägaraëaà kåtam
veçyäyä api tat sarvvaà
prajätantu tvayä samam
Because of that quarrel with the prostitute, you did not sleep the entire night. The prostitute also did not eat anything, nor did she sleep that night in your association.
Text 433
rätrau jägaraëe tasyäù
sajïätaà käyaçodhanam
yuvayor madavrataà jätam
ajïänäd vahu puëyadam
Because of unknowingly observing this vow in relation to Me, throughout the entire day and night, both of you became purified and accumulated heaps of pious merit.
Text 434
yena cérëa vratenädya
modante divi devatäù
såñöyarthantu tato brahmä
cakre madvratam uttamam
On the strength of observing this vow, the demigods are able to enjoy their lives in the heavenly planets. In order to acquire the power to create, Brahmä had observed this vow.
Text 435
madvratasya prabhäveëa
nirmmitaà sacaräcaram
éçvareëapi taccérëaà
vadhärthaà tripurasya ca
mahimnaiva vratasyäsya
tripuraà saànipätitam
Being empowered due to observing this vow in relation to Me, Brahmä was able to create all moving and non-moving living entities. Mahädeva also observed this vow, so that he could kill the great demon, Tripuräsura. It is a fact that by the strength of this vow, Çiva was able to kill that formidable demon.
Text 436
anyaiçca bahubhir devair
åñibhiçca purätanaiù
räjabhiçca mahäpräjïair
vihitaà vratam uttamam
Many other demigods, ancient sages, and learned and pious kings, had previously followed this great vow in relation to Me.
Text 437
etad vrata prabhäveëa
sarvve siddhim upägatäù
veçyäti matpriyä jätä
trailokye sukhacäriëé
éåçaà madvrataà vatsa
trailokye caiva viçrutam
By the influence of this vow, all of them attained the perfection of life. The prostitute also became devoted to Me and thereafter enjoyed great happiness within the three worlds. My dear child, it is for this reason that this vow in relation to Me is celebrated through the three worlds.
Text 438
dhürttäçca viläsinyä
vratam etad upasthitam
prahläda tena te bhaktir
mayi jätä hyanuttamä
This vow came into existence just to deliver such rascals. O Prahläda, by the strength of that vow, you came to render devotional service unto Me.
Text 439
sä veçyä tvapsarä jätä
divi bhogän anekeçaù
bhuktvä kämaà vilénä tu
0A
tvaà prahläda viviñöa mäm
In her next life, the prostitute was born in heaven as an Apsarä and after enjoying life there immensely, she entered My supreme abode. O Prahläda, you will also have become non-different from Me.
Text 440
käryyärtham avatäraste
maccharérät påthak tvasau
vidhäya sarvvakäryyäëi
çéghraà mayi gamiñyasi
In order to propagate devotional service to Me, you have incarnated separately from My body. After completing the task of preaching the glories of devotional service, you will again enter My eternal abode.
Text 441
ya idaà mad vratägrayantu
pravidhäsyanti mänaväù
na teñäà punarävåttiù
kalpa koöi çatair api
Those who observe this supreme vow in relation to Me will never return to this material existence, even in hundreds and millions of kalpas.
Text 442
aputro labhate puträn
madbhaköaàçca suvarccasaù
daridro labhate lakñméà
dhanadasya ca yädåC3é
By observing this vow, a childless person can have a beautiful and devoted child, and a poverty-stricken person can become as rich as Kuvera.
Text 443
tejaskämo labhet tejo
räjyepsü räjyam uttamam
äyuñkämo labhedäyur
yädåçantu çivasya ca
By the potency of this vow, one who desires power can have it, one who wants a kingdom can have an opulent kingdom, and one who desires a long du ration of life can have a lifespan as long as that of Mahädeva.
Text 444
stréëäà vratam idaà sädhu
putradaà bhägyadantathä
avaidhavya karaà täsäà
putrasoka vinäçanam
This great vow awards good children and good fortune to women, and it prevents them from becoming a widow. It also removes the danger of losing their children.
Text 445
dhanadhänya karaïcaiva
patipriya karaà çubham
särvvabhaumaà sukhaà täsäà
divyasaukhyaà bhavettataù
This vow bestows prosperity, it helps women become dear to their husbands, it awards auspiciousness and the happiness of being the king of earth. It also bestows divine pleasure upon women.
Text 446
striyo vä puruño väpi
kurvvanti vratam uttamam
tebhyo dadämyahaà saukhyaà
bhükti mukti phalantathä
To one who observes this supreme vow in relation to Me, whether a man or a woman, I award happiness, sense enjoyment, and liberation.
Text 447
bahunoktena kià vatsa
vratasyäsya phalasya hi
madvratasya phalaà vaktuà
nähaà çakto na çaëkaraù
My dear child, what is the need for elaborating on the glories of this vow? Neither I, nor Mahädeva can adequately describe the benefit of observing this vow.
Text 448
brahmä caturbhi r vaktraiçca
nälaà syäj jivitävadhi
Even Brahmä would be unable to describe its glories if he were to try his entire life, utilizing his four mouths.
Text 449
kiïca tatraiva vrata vidhi kathane
(In connection with the description of this
vow in that same Puräëa, this verse is found)
yathä yathä pravåttih syät
pätakasya kalau yuge
tathä tathä vidhäsyanti
madvrataà viralaà jaëäù
The more that sinf ul activities increase in Kali-yuga, the less people will observe this supreme vow of Mine.
Text 450
madvratasya vidhänena
matirna syäd durätman m
sadä päpa ratänäntu
puruñäëäà vikarmmaëi
Sinful-minded people have no interest in observing this vow of Mine. Those who are simply attached to sinful activities only engage in impious acts.
Text 451
vicäryyaivaà prakarttavyaà
mädhave mäsi madvratam
präpte bhüta dine vatsa
sarvva kalmaña näçanam
After considering all these facts, you should observe this vow, which occurs in the month of Vaiçäkha. O child Prahläda, when the auspicious day of Caturdaçi arrives, you should observe this vow, which destroys all sinful reactions.
Text 452
yenaiva kriyamäëena
sahasra dvädaçé phalam
jäyate na måñä vacni
mänuñäëäà mahätmanäm
By observing a single vow of Nåsiàha Caturdaçi, one obtains the merit of observing one thousand Dvädaçé vratas. This is a fact and do not think that this statement is an exaggeration.
Text 453
tadante ca (At the end of their conversation, this verse appears)
ya idaà çrëuyäd bhaktyä
vrataà päpa pranäçanam
tasya çravaëamätreëa
brahma hatyäà vyapohati
One who hears this description of this vow, which destroys all sins, will immediately become relieved from the sin of killing a brähmaëa.
Text 454
pavitraà paramaà guhyaà
kérttayed yastu mänavaù
sarvvän kämän aväpnoti
vratasyäsya phalaà labhet
One who glorifies the discussion of this most confidential and sacred vow will obtains the merit of observing this vow and as such, all of his desires will be fulfilled.
Texts 455-456
atha tadvratadina nirëayaù (The ascertainment of the day for observing this vow)
ägame (In the Ägamas it is stated)
vaiçäkhe çuklapakñe tu
caturddaçyäà mahä tithau
säyaà prahläda dhikkäram
asahiñëuù paro hariù
sadyaù kaöakaöä çabda
vismäpita sabhäjanaù
lélayä stambha garbhäntäd
udbhütaù çabdabhéñaëaù
During the twilight of the fourteenth day in the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Vaiçäkha, Lord Hari, being unable to tolerate the torture inflicted upon Prahläda, appeared by His own sweet will as Nåsiàhadeva from a pillar, thus astonishing the assembled people, while producing a formidable sound.
Text 457
nåharer avatärättäà
yatnataù samupoñayet
mahäpuëya tamäyäïca
säyaà viñëuà prapüjayet
Because Lord Nåsiàhadeva incarnated on this auspicious Caturdaçi, one should carefully observe fasting and then worship Lord Viñëu in the evening.
Text 458
Båhannärasiàhe (In the Båhan Narasiàha Puräëa it is stated)
vaéçäkha çukla pakñasya
caturddaçyäà samäcaret
majjanma sambhavaà puëyaà
vrataà päpä praëäçanam
Because of My advent on the fourteenth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Vaiçäkha, one should celebrate a festival on this sacred day, which destroys all sinful reactions.
Text 459
kiïca (It is also said)
sväté nakñatra yoge tu
çaniväre hi madvratam
siddhi yogasya yoge ca
labhyate daiva yogataù
sarvvair etaistu saàyuktair
hatyä koöi vinäçanam
This vow is generally observed on a Saturday, when the Sväti-nakñatra joins the auspicious day. Sometimes, by the arrangement of providence, there occurs a a very auspicious moment known as siddhi-yoga. If all these factors combine then such a auspicious day can destroy even the sinful reactions for killing millions of living entities.
Text 460
kevalaïca prakarttavyaà
maddinaà phalakäìkñibhiù
vaiñëavairna tu karttavyä
smaraviddhä caturddaçé
Even if the moment of siddhi-yoga does not occur, those who desire auspiciousness should still observe a festival on the fourteenth day because it was the day of My appearance. Still, Vaiñëavas should never observe fasting if the Caturdaçi is contaminated by the presence of Trayodaçi.
Text 461
ägame (In the Ägamas it is stated)
priyä caturddaçé bhaume
karttvyä kilviñäpahä
kämaviddhä na karttvyä
sväté bhauma yutä yadi
If Caturdaçi, which is very dear to the Supreme Lord, and which takes away all sinful reactions, falls on a Tuesday, it is to be observed but even it is enjoined with Sväti-nakñatra and if it is touched by the presence of Trayodaçé, it should not be observed.
Text 462
atha tadvratavidhiù (The process for observing this vow)
tatraiva (It is also stated)
prätarutthäya kurvvéta
niyamaà manasä smaran
mämeva maddine vatsa
danta dhävana pürvvakam
My dear P rahläda, on this auspicious day, one should raise early in the morning, brush his teeth, and then make a resolution to observe the vow strictly according to the prescribed rules and regulations, while constantly remembering Me.
Text 463
atha niyamamantraù (The mantra for making a resolution)
çré nåsiàha mahäbhéma
dayäà kuru mamopari
adyähaà te vidhäsyämi
vrataà nirvighnatäà naya
O Lord N åsiàhadeva! O greatly powerful one, please display compassion toward me. Today, I will observe this vow of Yours and so kindly help me to complete it without any impediment.
Text 464
vratasthena na vaktavyaà
maddine päpibhiù saha
mithyäläpä na karttavyäù
samagra phala käìkñibhiù
Those who want to obtain the complete benefit of this vow should not indulge in talking with sinful people, nor should they engage in idle gossip.
Text 465
striyaà dyütaà vihäyoccair
vratasthena mahätmanä
smarttavyaà mama rüpaïca
maddine sakale çubhe
On this sacred day, great souls who desire to observe this vow should give up conversing with women and playing chess. They should constantly remember My form throughout the day.
Text 466
tato madhyähna veläyäà
nadyädau vimale jale
gåhe vä devakhäte vä
taòäge vätiçobhane
vaidikena ca mantreëa
snanaà kuryyäd vicakñaëaù
A learned person should then take his noon bath, either in a river or at home, or in a sacred kunda or a lake filled with lotus flowers, while reciting Vedicmantras.
Text 467
måttikä gomaye naiva
tathä dhätré phalena vä
tilairvä sarvva päpaghnaiù
snänaà kåtvä mahätmabhiù
paridhäya çucir vastre
nityakarmma samäcaret
While taking his bath, a devotee should rub his body either with cow dung, clay, ämalaké fruit, or sesame seeds, which takes away all sins. Then, he should put on a fresh dhoti and chädara and carry on with his daily rituals.
Text 468
tato gåhaà samägatya
smaran mäà bhaktiyogataù
gomayene vilipyätha
kuryyäd añöa dalämbujam
After bathing and returning home while remembering Me with love and devotion, one should smear cow dung on the altar for worship and prepare a drawing of a lotus flower with eight petals on top of the altar.
Text 469
kalasaà tatra saàsthäpya
tämraà ratna samanvitam
tasyopari nyaset pätraà
taëòulaiù paripüritam
haimé mürttistu tatraiva
sthäpyä lakñmés tathaiva ca
In the middle of the lotus one should install a copper pitcher decorated with jewels and place a container filled with rice paddy on top of it. On top of that container one should establish the Deities of Lakñmé and Nåsiàhadeva, made of gold.
Text 470
palena ca tadarddhena
tadarddhärddhena vä punaù
yathä çaktis tathä käryyä
vitta çäöhya vivarjjitaù
païcämåtena te=2 0snäpya
püjanaà tu samäcaret
One should give up all miserliness and use either one pala, one-half pala, or one-quarter pala of gold to make the Deities. The Deities should then be bathed with five substances before one begins to worship Them.
Texts 471-472
tato brähmaëam ähüya
tamäcäryya lolupam
kuryyäcchästra samäyuktaà
çäntaà däntaà jitendriyam
tenaiva käreyet püjäà
dåñövä çästränusärataù
äcäryyä vacanäddémän
püjäà kuryyäccaran vratam
One should engage a qualified brähmaëa who is devoid of greed, well-versed in çästra, peaceful, charitable, and self-controlled, as the priest. In accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations of the çästra, the priest will conduct the worship of the Deities. Intelligent devotees can also worship the Lord under the guidance of the priest.
Text 473
atha tatra agre çré prahläda-püjä
(Before starting the main püjä, one should worship Prahläda)
tathä cägame (In the Ägamas it is stated)
prahläda-kleçanäçäya
yä hi puëyä caturddaçé
püjayet tatra yatnena
hareù prahlädam agrataù
On the sacred day of Nåsiàha Caturdaçé, which manifests in this world to destroy Prahläda’s distress, one should first offer worship to Prahläda before worshiping Lord Hari.
0A
Texts 474-475
båhannärasiàhe (In the Båhan Nåsiàha Puräëa it is stated)
madrüpaà kärayet tatra
puñpa stavaka çobhitam
åtukälodbhavaiù puñpaiù
pujyo’haïca yathävidhi
upacäraiù ñoòaça bhir
manmantrair nämabhis tathä
tataù pauräëikair mantraiù
püjanéyo viçeñataù
One should install My Deity and decorate Me with a flower outfit and then devotedly worship Me by offering Me seasonal flowers. One should offer sixteen ingredients for worship while chanting My holy names, as well as appropriate mantras. One should also recite mantras from the Puräëas during the course of his worship.
Text 476
atha tatra candana mantraù (The mantra for offering sandalwood paste)
candanaà çétalaà divyaà
candra kuìkuma miçritam
dadämi te pratuñöyarthaà
nåsiàha parameçvara
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Nåsiàhadeva, for your satisfaction, I now offer You divine, cool sandalwood paste mixed with camphor.
Text 477
atha puñpamantraù (The mantra for offering flowers)
kälodbhaväni puñpäëi
tulasyädéni vai prabho
0A
püjayämi nåsiàheça
lakñmyä saha namo’stute
O Supreme Lord! O Nåsiàhadeva, I worship You, along with Lakñmé-devé with offerings of flowers that bloom in spring, and tulasé leaves. My humbleobeisances unto You.
Text 478
atha dhüpamantraù (The mantra for offering incense)
käla agurumayaà dhüpaà
sarvva deva sudurlabham
karomi te mahä viñëo
sarvva käma samåddhaye
O Mahä-Viñëu, just to fulfill all of my desires, I will worship You with and offering of black aguru, which is rarely available, even for the demigods.
Text 479
atha dépamantraù (The mantra for offering a ghee lamp)
dépaù päpaharaù proktas
tamasäà räçinäçanaù
dépena labhyate tejas
tasmäd dépaà dadämi te
O Nåsiàhadeva, by offering this ghee lamp, which destroys the darkness of ignorance, as well as all sinful reactions, one obtains special power. Therefore, I offer this ghee lamp to You.
Text 480
atha naivedya mantraù (The mantra for offering food)
naivedyaà saukhyadaà cästu
bhakñya bhojya samanvitam
dadämi te ramäkänta
sarvva päpa kñayaà kuru
O beloved Lord of Lakñmé, I place before You these offerings of food. May You be pleased with this offering and kindly remove all my sins.
Text 481
atha ardhyamantraù (The mantra for offering arghya)
nåsiàhäcyuta deveça
lakñmékänta jagatpate
anena arghya pradänena
saphaläù syur manorathäù
O Lord Nåsiàha! O Acyuta! O Lord of the demigods! O husband of Lakñmé! O Lord of the universe, let all my desires be fulfilled by offering of thisarghya to You.
Text 482
atha püjä mantraù (The mantra for offering worship)
pétämvara mahäviñëo
prahläda bhaya näçakåt
yathä bhütärccane20nätha
yathokta phalado bhava
O Mahä-Viñëu, who wears yellow garments! O destroyer of fear for Prahläda, may You be satisfied with whatever little worship I offer You to the best of my ability, so that You bestow Your mercy upon me.
Text 483
rätrau jägaraëaà kuryyäd
géta väditra nisvanaiù
puräëa paöhanaà nåtyaà
çrotavyaà matkathänakam
One should remain awake throughout the night while dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, reciting the Puräëas, and listening to discussions of My transcendental glories.
Text 484
tataù prabhäta samaye
snänaà kåtvä hyatandritaù
pürvvoktena vidhänena
püjayen mäà prayatnataù
Thereafter, one should bathe early in the morning and worship Me with love and devotion while following the above-mentioned procedure, without displaying any idleness.
Text 485
kiïca (It is also said)
madvaàçe ye narä jätä
ye janiñyanti matpuraù
t4às tvamuddhara deveça
duùsahäd bhava sägarät
O master of the demigods, please deliver all those who have taken birth in my family, as well as those who will take birth in the future, from the intolerable ocean of material existence.
Texts 486-487
pätakärëava magnasya
vyädhi duùkhämvu räçibhiù
tévraistu paribhütasya
mahäduùkha gatasya me
kara avalamvanaà dehi
çeñaçayin jagatpate
çré nåiàha ramäkänta
bhaktänäà bhayanäçana
O Lord who lies on the bed of Ananta Çeña! O Lord of the universe! O Nåsiàha! O husband of Lakñmé! O destroyer of the devotees’ fear, I am suffering from great distress due to drowning in the ocean of sinful activities and disease. So, kindly lend me Your fearless hand and give me protection.
Text 488
kñérämbudhi niväsa
tvaà préyamäëo janärddana
vratenänena me deva
bhukti mukti prado bhava
O Janärdana! O Lord who lies in the ocean of milk! O Supreme Lord, may You be pleased with my observance of this vow, and may Yo u bestow upon me material enjoyment and liberation.
Text 489
evaà prärthya tato devaà
visarjjya ca yathävidhi
upahärädikaà sarvvam
äcäryyäya nivedayet
After worshiping the Lord and offering prayers to Him in this way, one should immerse the Deity into the water of the Ganges and then feed the äcärya sumptuously.
Text 490
dakñéëäbhiù susantoñya
brähmaëäàçca visarjjayet
mama dhyäna samäyukto
bhuïjéta saha bandhubhiù
Thereafter, one should bid farewell to the assembled brähmaëas while giving them dakñiëä, Then, one should sit down and take prasäda, along with his friends, while fixing his mind upon Me.
Actually best is to fast for 24 hours Nirjala fast this is what Lord Narasimha recommends to Prahlada Maharaja and this is recorded
in Narasimha Purana.In ISKCON we generally fast til Dusk and take ekadasi prasadam ,grains prasadam brakes the fast, so it is best to avoid until the next day:This is from Sanatana Goswamis Haribhakti Vilasa about Narasimha Caturdasi :
please read this carefully :
Text 414
atha çré narasiàha caturddaçé (The vow of Çré Narasiàha Caturdaçé)
vaiçäkhasya caturddaçyäà
çukläyäà çré nåkeçaré
jätas tadasyäà tat püjot
savaà kurvvéta savratam
Lord Nåsiàhadeva appeared on the fourteenth day in the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Vaiçäkha. Therefore, one should observe all the vows related to this auspicious day and worship the Lord with love and devotion.
Text 415
atha narasiàha caturddaçé vratanityatä
(Çré Narasiàha Caturdaçé vrata is eternal)
våhannärasiàhapuräëe çré bhagavan nåsiàha prahläda saàväde vrata vidhikathane
(In a conversation between Lord Nåsiàhadeva and Prahläda
that is found in the Båhan Nåsiàha Puräëa it is said)
varñe varñe tu karttavyaà
mama saàtuñöi käraëam
mahäguhyam idaà çreñöhaà
mänavair bhava bhérubhiù
For My pleasure, every year, one should observe the vow of Caturdaçé. Those who are very fearful of material existence should certainly observe this most confidential and excellent vow.
Text 416
kéïca (It is also said)
vijïäya maddinaà yastu
laìghayet sa tu päpabhäk
evaà jïätvä prakarttavyaà
maddine vratam uttamam
anyathä narakaà yäti
yävac candra diväkarau
One who purposely transgresses this vow incurs sin. Knowing this, one should observe this supreme vow otherwise, he will continue to rot in hell for as long as the sun and the moon rise in the sky.
Text 417
atha taträdhikäri nirëayaù (A proper candidate for observing this vow)
tatraiva (In the same Puräëa it is stated)
sarvveñäm eva lokänäm
adhikäro’sti madvrate
madbhaktaistu viçeñeëa
praëeyaà matparäyaëaiù
Everyone is eligible to observe this vow—especially My devotees and those who are inclined toward Me must observe it.
Text 418
atha tanmähätmyam (The glories of this vow)
tatraiva çré prahläda uväca (In the same Puräëa, Prahläda has said)
namaste bhagavän viñëo
nåsiàha vapuñe namaù
tvadbhakto’haà sureçaikaà
tväà prapåcchämi tattvataù
O Supreme Lord! O Viñëu, I bow do wn to You. O Lord Nåsiàhadeva, I offer my obeisances to You. I am Your devotee. O Lord of lords, I now express to You my heartfelt inquiry.
Text 419
svämià stvayi mamotpannä
bhaktir bahuvidhä katham
kathante supriyo jätaù
käraëaà vada me prabho
O Lord, how did I develop such intense devotion for You? O my Lord, kindly tell me—how did I become Your exalted devotee?
Text 420
çré nåsiàha uväca (Lord Nåsiàhadeva said)
kathayämi mahäpräjïa
0D
çåëu ñvaikägra mänasaù
bhakteryat käraëaà vatsa
priyatvasya ca tat punaù
O greatly learned one! O my son, listen carefully as I explain to you the reason for your devotion to Me that has made you very dear to Me.
Text 421
puräkalpe hyabhürvipraù
kiïcittvaà näpyadhétavän
nämnä ca vasudevo hi
veçyäyäà tatparo hyabhuù
In the ancient times, you were born as a brähmaëa but you did not study any of the scriptures. Your name was Vasudeva and you became attached to a prostitute.
Text 422
tasmin janmani naiva tvaà
cakartha sukåata kiyat
muktvä tu madvrataà caikaà
veçyä saìgati lälasaù
madvratasya prabhäveëa
bhaktir jätä taveò åçé
In that birth, you became so attached to a prostitute that you did not bother to perform any pious activity, except for a single vow in relation to Me. As a result of observing that vow, you developed exalted devotion for Me.
Text 423
çré prahläda uväca (Prahläda then said)
çåé nåsiàhäcyuta svämin
kasya putreëa kià kåtam
veçyäyäà varttamänena
kathaà taddhi kåtaà mayä
äkhyänaà vistareëedaà
vaktumarhasi sämpratam
O Lord Nåsiàadevadeva! O Acyuta! O Supreme Lord, who was my father in that lifetime? What was my duty? How did I observe Your vow, even though I was attached to a prostitute? Kindly explain all this to me in detail.
Text 424
çré nåsiàha uvC3ca (Lord Nåsiàhadeva said)
purävantipure hyäséd
brähmaëo vedapäragaù
tannäma vasuçarmmati
sarvvalokeñu viçrutam
In ancient times, there was a brähmaëa who was well-versed in the Vedic literature. He lived in the city of Avantépura and was known as Vasu Çarmä.
Texts 425-426
nityaà homa kriyä meña
karoti dvijasattamaù
brahma kriyäsu satataà
sarvväsu kila tatpataù
agniñöomädibhir yajïair
iñöäù sarvve surottamäù
tenäpi vidyamänena
na kåtaà duñkåtaà kiyat
This pious brähmaëa used to perform fire sacrifice every day. He was very expert in performing all kinds of Vedic rituals and as such, he would satisfy the best of demigods by performing the agniñöoma sacrifice. In that state of living, he did not commit any sinful activity.
Text 427
t asya bhäryyä suçéläbhüd
vikhyätä bhuvanatraye
pativratä sadäcärä
pati bhakti paräyaëä
0A
His wife was very pious and humble. She was famous throughout the three worlds. She was chaste, expert in performing all kinds of pious activities, and always eager to serve her husband.
Text 428
jajïire ca sutäù païca
tasyäà dvija varättataù
sadäcäräù suvidvämsaù
pitåbhakti paräyaëäù
teñäà madhye kaniñöhastvaà
veçyäyäà tatparaù sadä
That exalted brähamaëa begot five sons within the womb of his wife. These sons were very pious, learned, and devoted to their father. Among them, you were the youngest and you became attached to a prostitute.
Text 429
täà sanniñeva mäëena
suräpänaà kåtaà tvayä
sadä päparatastvaà hi
näkåtha adhyayanaà bhåçam
Due to being attached to a prostitute, you became accustomed to drinking wine and performing other sinful activities, so that you never engaged in the study of the Vedas.
Text 430
viläsiné gåhe nityaà
vasatir hyabhavattava
ekadä tadgåhe hyäsét
tayä saha mahän kaliù
You spent most of your time at the house of the prostitute. One day, however, you and her quarreled.
Text 431
tataù kalahabhävena
bhojanaà na kåtaà tvayä
ajïänän madvrataà cakre
vratänäm uttamaà vratam
Because of that quarrel, you missed your meal that day and as a result, you unknowingly observed a sacred vow in relation to Me.
Text 432
tayä saha vivädena
rätrau jägaraëaà kåtam
veçyäyä api tat sarvvaà
prajätantu tvayä samam
Because of that quarrel with the prostitute, you did not sleep the entire night. The prostitute also did not eat anything, nor did she sleep that night in your association.
Text 433
rätrau jägaraëe tasyäù
sajïätaà käyaçodhanam
yuvayor madavrataà jätam
ajïänäd vahu puëyadam
Because of unknowingly observing this vow in relation to Me, throughout the entire day and night, both of you became purified and accumulated heaps of pious merit.
Text 434
yena cérëa vratenädya
modante divi devatäù
såñöyarthantu tato brahmä
cakre madvratam uttamam
On the strength of observing this vow, the demigods are able to enjoy their lives in the heavenly planets. In order to acquire the power to create, Brahmä had observed this vow.
Text 435
madvratasya prabhäveëa
nirmmitaà sacaräcaram
éçvareëapi taccérëaà
vadhärthaà tripurasya ca
mahimnaiva vratasyäsya
tripuraà saànipätitam
Being empowered due to observing this vow in relation to Me, Brahmä was able to create all moving and non-moving living entities. Mahädeva also observed this vow, so that he could kill the great demon, Tripuräsura. It is a fact that by the strength of this vow, Çiva was able to kill that formidable demon.
Text 436
anyaiçca bahubhir devair
åñibhiçca purätanaiù
räjabhiçca mahäpräjïair
vihitaà vratam uttamam
Many other demigods, ancient sages, and learned and pious kings, had previously followed this great vow in relation to Me.
Text 437
etad vrata prabhäveëa
sarvve siddhim upägatäù
veçyäti matpriyä jätä
trailokye sukhacäriëé
éåçaà madvrataà vatsa
trailokye caiva viçrutam
By the influence of this vow, all of them attained the perfection of life. The prostitute also became devoted to Me and thereafter enjoyed great happiness within the three worlds. My dear child, it is for this reason that this vow in relation to Me is celebrated through the three worlds.
Text 438
dhürttäçca viläsinyä
vratam etad upasthitam
prahläda tena te bhaktir
mayi jätä hyanuttamä
This vow came into existence just to deliver such rascals. O Prahläda, by the strength of that vow, you came to render devotional service unto Me.
Text 439
sä veçyä tvapsarä jätä
divi bhogän anekeçaù
bhuktvä kämaà vilénä tu
0A
tvaà prahläda viviñöa mäm
In her next life, the prostitute was born in heaven as an Apsarä and after enjoying life there immensely, she entered My supreme abode. O Prahläda, you will also have become non-different from Me.
Text 440
käryyärtham avatäraste
maccharérät påthak tvasau
vidhäya sarvvakäryyäëi
çéghraà mayi gamiñyasi
In order to propagate devotional service to Me, you have incarnated separately from My body. After completing the task of preaching the glories of devotional service, you will again enter My eternal abode.
Text 441
ya idaà mad vratägrayantu
pravidhäsyanti mänaväù
na teñäà punarävåttiù
kalpa koöi çatair api
Those who observe this supreme vow in relation to Me will never return to this material existence, even in hundreds and millions of kalpas.
Text 442
aputro labhate puträn
madbhaköaàçca suvarccasaù
daridro labhate lakñméà
dhanadasya ca yädåC3é
By observing this vow, a childless person can have a beautiful and devoted child, and a poverty-stricken person can become as rich as Kuvera.
Text 443
tejaskämo labhet tejo
räjyepsü räjyam uttamam
äyuñkämo labhedäyur
yädåçantu çivasya ca
By the potency of this vow, one who desires power can have it, one who wants a kingdom can have an opulent kingdom, and one who desires a long du ration of life can have a lifespan as long as that of Mahädeva.
Text 444
stréëäà vratam idaà sädhu
putradaà bhägyadantathä
avaidhavya karaà täsäà
putrasoka vinäçanam
This great vow awards good children and good fortune to women, and it prevents them from becoming a widow. It also removes the danger of losing their children.
Text 445
dhanadhänya karaïcaiva
patipriya karaà çubham
särvvabhaumaà sukhaà täsäà
divyasaukhyaà bhavettataù
This vow bestows prosperity, it helps women become dear to their husbands, it awards auspiciousness and the happiness of being the king of earth. It also bestows divine pleasure upon women.
Text 446
striyo vä puruño väpi
kurvvanti vratam uttamam
tebhyo dadämyahaà saukhyaà
bhükti mukti phalantathä
To one who observes this supreme vow in relation to Me, whether a man or a woman, I award happiness, sense enjoyment, and liberation.
Text 447
bahunoktena kià vatsa
vratasyäsya phalasya hi
madvratasya phalaà vaktuà
nähaà çakto na çaëkaraù
My dear child, what is the need for elaborating on the glories of this vow? Neither I, nor Mahädeva can adequately describe the benefit of observing this vow.
Text 448
brahmä caturbhi r vaktraiçca
nälaà syäj jivitävadhi
Even Brahmä would be unable to describe its glories if he were to try his entire life, utilizing his four mouths.
Text 449
kiïca tatraiva vrata vidhi kathane
(In connection with the description of this
vow in that same Puräëa, this verse is found)
yathä yathä pravåttih syät
pätakasya kalau yuge
tathä tathä vidhäsyanti
madvrataà viralaà jaëäù
The more that sinf ul activities increase in Kali-yuga, the less people will observe this supreme vow of Mine.
Text 450
madvratasya vidhänena
matirna syäd durätman m
sadä päpa ratänäntu
puruñäëäà vikarmmaëi
Sinful-minded people have no interest in observing this vow of Mine. Those who are simply attached to sinful activities only engage in impious acts.
Text 451
vicäryyaivaà prakarttavyaà
mädhave mäsi madvratam
präpte bhüta dine vatsa
sarvva kalmaña näçanam
After considering all these facts, you should observe this vow, which occurs in the month of Vaiçäkha. O child Prahläda, when the auspicious day of Caturdaçi arrives, you should observe this vow, which destroys all sinful reactions.
Text 452
yenaiva kriyamäëena
sahasra dvädaçé phalam
jäyate na måñä vacni
mänuñäëäà mahätmanäm
By observing a single vow of Nåsiàha Caturdaçi, one obtains the merit of observing one thousand Dvädaçé vratas. This is a fact and do not think that this statement is an exaggeration.
Text 453
tadante ca (At the end of their conversation, this verse appears)
ya idaà çrëuyäd bhaktyä
vrataà päpa pranäçanam
tasya çravaëamätreëa
brahma hatyäà vyapohati
One who hears this description of this vow, which destroys all sins, will immediately become relieved from the sin of killing a brähmaëa.
Text 454
pavitraà paramaà guhyaà
kérttayed yastu mänavaù
sarvvän kämän aväpnoti
vratasyäsya phalaà labhet
One who glorifies the discussion of this most confidential and sacred vow will obtains the merit of observing this vow and as such, all of his desires will be fulfilled.
Texts 455-456
atha tadvratadina nirëayaù (The ascertainment of the day for observing this vow)
ägame (In the Ägamas it is stated)
vaiçäkhe çuklapakñe tu
caturddaçyäà mahä tithau
säyaà prahläda dhikkäram
asahiñëuù paro hariù
sadyaù kaöakaöä çabda
vismäpita sabhäjanaù
lélayä stambha garbhäntäd
udbhütaù çabdabhéñaëaù
During the twilight of the fourteenth day in the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Vaiçäkha, Lord Hari, being unable to tolerate the torture inflicted upon Prahläda, appeared by His own sweet will as Nåsiàhadeva from a pillar, thus astonishing the assembled people, while producing a formidable sound.
Text 457
nåharer avatärättäà
yatnataù samupoñayet
mahäpuëya tamäyäïca
säyaà viñëuà prapüjayet
Because Lord Nåsiàhadeva incarnated on this auspicious Caturdaçi, one should carefully observe fasting and then worship Lord Viñëu in the evening.
Text 458
Båhannärasiàhe (In the Båhan Narasiàha Puräëa it is stated)
vaéçäkha çukla pakñasya
caturddaçyäà samäcaret
majjanma sambhavaà puëyaà
vrataà päpä praëäçanam
Because of My advent on the fourteenth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Vaiçäkha, one should celebrate a festival on this sacred day, which destroys all sinful reactions.
Text 459
kiïca (It is also said)
sväté nakñatra yoge tu
çaniväre hi madvratam
siddhi yogasya yoge ca
labhyate daiva yogataù
sarvvair etaistu saàyuktair
hatyä koöi vinäçanam
This vow is generally observed on a Saturday, when the Sväti-nakñatra joins the auspicious day. Sometimes, by the arrangement of providence, there occurs a a very auspicious moment known as siddhi-yoga. If all these factors combine then such a auspicious day can destroy even the sinful reactions for killing millions of living entities.
Text 460
kevalaïca prakarttavyaà
maddinaà phalakäìkñibhiù
vaiñëavairna tu karttavyä
smaraviddhä caturddaçé
Even if the moment of siddhi-yoga does not occur, those who desire auspiciousness should still observe a festival on the fourteenth day because it was the day of My appearance. Still, Vaiñëavas should never observe fasting if the Caturdaçi is contaminated by the presence of Trayodaçi.
Text 461
ägame (In the Ägamas it is stated)
priyä caturddaçé bhaume
karttvyä kilviñäpahä
kämaviddhä na karttvyä
sväté bhauma yutä yadi
If Caturdaçi, which is very dear to the Supreme Lord, and which takes away all sinful reactions, falls on a Tuesday, it is to be observed but even it is enjoined with Sväti-nakñatra and if it is touched by the presence of Trayodaçé, it should not be observed.
Text 462
atha tadvratavidhiù (The process for observing this vow)
tatraiva (It is also stated)
prätarutthäya kurvvéta
niyamaà manasä smaran
mämeva maddine vatsa
danta dhävana pürvvakam
My dear P rahläda, on this auspicious day, one should raise early in the morning, brush his teeth, and then make a resolution to observe the vow strictly according to the prescribed rules and regulations, while constantly remembering Me.
Text 463
atha niyamamantraù (The mantra for making a resolution)
çré nåsiàha mahäbhéma
dayäà kuru mamopari
adyähaà te vidhäsyämi
vrataà nirvighnatäà naya
O Lord N åsiàhadeva! O greatly powerful one, please display compassion toward me. Today, I will observe this vow of Yours and so kindly help me to complete it without any impediment.
Text 464
vratasthena na vaktavyaà
maddine päpibhiù saha
mithyäläpä na karttavyäù
samagra phala käìkñibhiù
Those who want to obtain the complete benefit of this vow should not indulge in talking with sinful people, nor should they engage in idle gossip.
Text 465
striyaà dyütaà vihäyoccair
vratasthena mahätmanä
smarttavyaà mama rüpaïca
maddine sakale çubhe
On this sacred day, great souls who desire to observe this vow should give up conversing with women and playing chess. They should constantly remember My form throughout the day.
Text 466
tato madhyähna veläyäà
nadyädau vimale jale
gåhe vä devakhäte vä
taòäge vätiçobhane
vaidikena ca mantreëa
snanaà kuryyäd vicakñaëaù
A learned person should then take his noon bath, either in a river or at home, or in a sacred kunda or a lake filled with lotus flowers, while reciting Vedicmantras.
Text 467
måttikä gomaye naiva
tathä dhätré phalena vä
tilairvä sarvva päpaghnaiù
snänaà kåtvä mahätmabhiù
paridhäya çucir vastre
nityakarmma samäcaret
While taking his bath, a devotee should rub his body either with cow dung, clay, ämalaké fruit, or sesame seeds, which takes away all sins. Then, he should put on a fresh dhoti and chädara and carry on with his daily rituals.
Text 468
tato gåhaà samägatya
smaran mäà bhaktiyogataù
gomayene vilipyätha
kuryyäd añöa dalämbujam
After bathing and returning home while remembering Me with love and devotion, one should smear cow dung on the altar for worship and prepare a drawing of a lotus flower with eight petals on top of the altar.
Text 469
kalasaà tatra saàsthäpya
tämraà ratna samanvitam
tasyopari nyaset pätraà
taëòulaiù paripüritam
haimé mürttistu tatraiva
sthäpyä lakñmés tathaiva ca
In the middle of the lotus one should install a copper pitcher decorated with jewels and place a container filled with rice paddy on top of it. On top of that container one should establish the Deities of Lakñmé and Nåsiàhadeva, made of gold.
Text 470
palena ca tadarddhena
tadarddhärddhena vä punaù
yathä çaktis tathä käryyä
vitta çäöhya vivarjjitaù
païcämåtena te=2 0snäpya
püjanaà tu samäcaret
One should give up all miserliness and use either one pala, one-half pala, or one-quarter pala of gold to make the Deities. The Deities should then be bathed with five substances before one begins to worship Them.
Texts 471-472
tato brähmaëam ähüya
tamäcäryya lolupam
kuryyäcchästra samäyuktaà
çäntaà däntaà jitendriyam
tenaiva käreyet püjäà
dåñövä çästränusärataù
äcäryyä vacanäddémän
püjäà kuryyäccaran vratam
One should engage a qualified brähmaëa who is devoid of greed, well-versed in çästra, peaceful, charitable, and self-controlled, as the priest. In accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations of the çästra, the priest will conduct the worship of the Deities. Intelligent devotees can also worship the Lord under the guidance of the priest.
Text 473
atha tatra agre çré prahläda-püjä
(Before starting the main püjä, one should worship Prahläda)
tathä cägame (In the Ägamas it is stated)
prahläda-kleçanäçäya
yä hi puëyä caturddaçé
püjayet tatra yatnena
hareù prahlädam agrataù
On the sacred day of Nåsiàha Caturdaçé, which manifests in this world to destroy Prahläda’s distress, one should first offer worship to Prahläda before worshiping Lord Hari.
0A
Texts 474-475
båhannärasiàhe (In the Båhan Nåsiàha Puräëa it is stated)
madrüpaà kärayet tatra
puñpa stavaka çobhitam
åtukälodbhavaiù puñpaiù
pujyo’haïca yathävidhi
upacäraiù ñoòaça bhir
manmantrair nämabhis tathä
tataù pauräëikair mantraiù
püjanéyo viçeñataù
One should install My Deity and decorate Me with a flower outfit and then devotedly worship Me by offering Me seasonal flowers. One should offer sixteen ingredients for worship while chanting My holy names, as well as appropriate mantras. One should also recite mantras from the Puräëas during the course of his worship.
Text 476
atha tatra candana mantraù (The mantra for offering sandalwood paste)
candanaà çétalaà divyaà
candra kuìkuma miçritam
dadämi te pratuñöyarthaà
nåsiàha parameçvara
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Nåsiàhadeva, for your satisfaction, I now offer You divine, cool sandalwood paste mixed with camphor.
Text 477
atha puñpamantraù (The mantra for offering flowers)
kälodbhaväni puñpäëi
tulasyädéni vai prabho
0A
püjayämi nåsiàheça
lakñmyä saha namo’stute
O Supreme Lord! O Nåsiàhadeva, I worship You, along with Lakñmé-devé with offerings of flowers that bloom in spring, and tulasé leaves. My humbleobeisances unto You.
Text 478
atha dhüpamantraù (The mantra for offering incense)
käla agurumayaà dhüpaà
sarvva deva sudurlabham
karomi te mahä viñëo
sarvva käma samåddhaye
O Mahä-Viñëu, just to fulfill all of my desires, I will worship You with and offering of black aguru, which is rarely available, even for the demigods.
Text 479
atha dépamantraù (The mantra for offering a ghee lamp)
dépaù päpaharaù proktas
tamasäà räçinäçanaù
dépena labhyate tejas
tasmäd dépaà dadämi te
O Nåsiàhadeva, by offering this ghee lamp, which destroys the darkness of ignorance, as well as all sinful reactions, one obtains special power. Therefore, I offer this ghee lamp to You.
Text 480
atha naivedya mantraù (The mantra for offering food)
naivedyaà saukhyadaà cästu
bhakñya bhojya samanvitam
dadämi te ramäkänta
sarvva päpa kñayaà kuru
O beloved Lord of Lakñmé, I place before You these offerings of food. May You be pleased with this offering and kindly remove all my sins.
Text 481
atha ardhyamantraù (The mantra for offering arghya)
nåsiàhäcyuta deveça
lakñmékänta jagatpate
anena arghya pradänena
saphaläù syur manorathäù
O Lord Nåsiàha! O Acyuta! O Lord of the demigods! O husband of Lakñmé! O Lord of the universe, let all my desires be fulfilled by offering of thisarghya to You.
Text 482
atha püjä mantraù (The mantra for offering worship)
pétämvara mahäviñëo
prahläda bhaya näçakåt
yathä bhütärccane20nätha
yathokta phalado bhava
O Mahä-Viñëu, who wears yellow garments! O destroyer of fear for Prahläda, may You be satisfied with whatever little worship I offer You to the best of my ability, so that You bestow Your mercy upon me.
Text 483
rätrau jägaraëaà kuryyäd
géta väditra nisvanaiù
puräëa paöhanaà nåtyaà
çrotavyaà matkathänakam
One should remain awake throughout the night while dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, reciting the Puräëas, and listening to discussions of My transcendental glories.
Text 484
tataù prabhäta samaye
snänaà kåtvä hyatandritaù
pürvvoktena vidhänena
püjayen mäà prayatnataù
Thereafter, one should bathe early in the morning and worship Me with love and devotion while following the above-mentioned procedure, without displaying any idleness.
Text 485
kiïca (It is also said)
madvaàçe ye narä jätä
ye janiñyanti matpuraù
t4às tvamuddhara deveça
duùsahäd bhava sägarät
O master of the demigods, please deliver all those who have taken birth in my family, as well as those who will take birth in the future, from the intolerable ocean of material existence.
Texts 486-487
pätakärëava magnasya
vyädhi duùkhämvu räçibhiù
tévraistu paribhütasya
mahäduùkha gatasya me
kara avalamvanaà dehi
çeñaçayin jagatpate
çré nåiàha ramäkänta
bhaktänäà bhayanäçana
O Lord who lies on the bed of Ananta Çeña! O Lord of the universe! O Nåsiàha! O husband of Lakñmé! O destroyer of the devotees’ fear, I am suffering from great distress due to drowning in the ocean of sinful activities and disease. So, kindly lend me Your fearless hand and give me protection.
Text 488
kñérämbudhi niväsa
tvaà préyamäëo janärddana
vratenänena me deva
bhukti mukti prado bhava
O Janärdana! O Lord who lies in the ocean of milk! O Supreme Lord, may You be pleased with my observance of this vow, and may Yo u bestow upon me material enjoyment and liberation.
Text 489
evaà prärthya tato devaà
visarjjya ca yathävidhi
upahärädikaà sarvvam
äcäryyäya nivedayet
After worshiping the Lord and offering prayers to Him in this way, one should immerse the Deity into the water of the Ganges and then feed the äcärya sumptuously.
Text 490
dakñéëäbhiù susantoñya
brähmaëäàçca visarjjayet
mama dhyäna samäyukto
bhuïjéta saha bandhubhiù
Thereafter, one should bid farewell to the assembled brähmaëas while giving them dakñiëä, Then, one should sit down and take prasäda, along with his friends, while fixing his mind upon Me.
Govinda Dasi Janmastami is nearly here; this article written by Payonidhi das is both informative as well as sorely needed. Yes, it is true, Srila Prabhupada did not eat or even drink a drop of water on Janmastami and Goura Purnima. And the fast break at midnight was Ekadasi, also at moon rise it was Ekadasi fast. We early devotees also fasted and many of us still do so. This article underlines the sastric importance of this.
In the Brahma Purana it is stated, “For those who properly fast on the correct Janmastami day, Kaliyuga cannot influence them.”
In order to please Lord Krsna, one must fast from grains and beans throughout the entire day and night of Janmastami, until the proper break-fast time arrives. Only then one should accept prasad consisting of grains and beans. As stated by Lord Brahma in the Brahma Purana, “When the Janmastami tithi and its Rohini Naksatra ends (next morning), then only one should consume grains to break the fast.”
The Yagnavalkya Smruti supports Lord Brahma’s statement, stating the following, “Only when both–the tithi and the–Naksatra timings of Janmastami have ended, then only one should break ones fast. There is no other way than this.”
In the Vayu Purana it is stated, “If one desires to become free from all sin, he or she should accept some rice Mahaprasada of Lord Jagannatha (or other grains of Mahaprasadam) on the day after Janmastami day.”
Lord Brahma instructs Narada in the Visnu Rahasya, “Anyone who eats grains on Janmastami day becomes filled with all categories of sin performed in the three worlds, and takes birth as a snake in the forest.”
Radhastami :
eda sastra anurakta ye tulasi vana palakah ,Radhastami vrata rata, vijneyas ce ta vaisnavah,Sri Krsna purato ye ca dipam ,Yacchanti Sraddhaya para nindam na kurvanti vijneyas te ca vaisnavah this sloka is from Padma Purana ,Brahma Khanda 1.31.32 The translation is: Those who are attached to studying Vedic litteratures ,those who protect Tulsi forests .those who fast on Radhastami day ,those who offer a lamp to Krsna with good faith and those who do not critizise others are understood to be vaisnavas.
ekadasyam sahasrena yat phalam labhate narah Radha janma astami punyam tasmat satagu nadhikam :whatever result one can attain by fasting on 1000 ekadasis one hundred times greater results can be attained by fasting on Radhastami and Janmastami days Brahma Khanda of Padma Purana 7.8
When I have completed my Narasimha book my next project is the vaisnava calendar .
your servant
Paramananda das
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