Krsna Pusya Abhiseka

[Paramananda das]

Kṛṣṇa Puṣyā abhiṣeka

The Hari Bhakti Vilāsa says that on this day one should rub ghee on the deity of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Puṣyā of course means nourishing, and this act of devotion, with ghee, which is very nourishing is equivalent to the results of an Aśvamedha-yajña.

During the morning pūjā, or worship, the Deity or a śālagrāma is bathed in pure ghee. Śrīla Prabhupāda once explained the festival this way: "Kṛṣṇa was just a toy in the hands of the gopīs, so one day the Gopis decided that we shall decorate Him. Puṣyābhiṣeka means a ceremony to decorate the deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, cloths. After, there should be lavish feasting and a procession through the streets, so that all the citizens should see how beautiful Kṛṣṇa appears."