Not taking grains on Janmastami

[Paramananda das]

Dandavat pranams

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Many persons have under the influence of Kali yuga started to serve grains on Janmastami , however grains should never be served to anyone on this day, this is not vaisnava behavior, I have many times brought this to attention of ISKCON leaders but it still goes in one ear and out the other

http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4883

I shared this with Mother Govinda dasi I think 2 years ago ,she wrote:

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.

But a few pious souls may eventually return to this standard set by Srila Prabhupada.But it is embarrassing that most of Srila Prabhupadas disciples not even follow such a basic thing, and next day make a big show of being his disciples.

If you really are such a great disciple of Srila Prabhupada then why do you not prove it by your actiones and follow this?And then the next generation may take is seriously.You want to meet Srila Prabhupada and have him ask you ,why did you not observe Janmastami the way he have instructed???

Palaka Prabhu just called me last night and seeing how ISKCON Potomac is serving ekadasi prasadam ,he will start returning to Srila Prabhupadas standard. I urge all sincere follower of Srila Prabhupada to do the same

yad yad acarati sresthas tat tad evetaro janah sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate

Whatever action is performed  by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he  sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

Not only should we devotees in ISKCON strictly follow this but also preach it, I am pushing for this as it is the right thing.

All excuses in this matter are mostly bad excuses, there is exceptions they are serious illness, for example I have to take a zip of water with some heart medicine I am taking , but I only do that and ask Krsna for forgiveness for that even.

  One siksa disciple asked me if she can not fast because she is pregnant and both her and her husband was concerned for the baby, I told her just take ekadasi prasadam , you should not fast when you are pregnant, it is to dangerous .

With straw between my teeth ,I once more beg all devotees that are taking grains on Janmastami ,please please please stop this practise, and worship Janmastami like a mother , Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung:

mādhava-tithi, bhakti-jananī, jetane pālana kori kṛṣṇa-basati, basati boli', parama ādare bori

2) The holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Krsna's pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me.

This is from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakuras beautiful song Suddha Bhakata Carana renu:

(1) śuddha-bhakata-caraṇa-reṇu, bhajana-anukūla bhakata-sevā, parama-siddhi, prema-latikāra mūla

(2) mādhava-tithi, bhakti-jananī, jetane pālana kori kṛṣṇa-basati, basati boli', parama ādare bori

(3) gaur āmāra, je-saba sthāne, koralo bhramaṇa rańge se-saba sthāna, heribo āmi, praṇayi-bhakata-sańge

(4) mṛdańga-bādya, śunite mana, abasara sadā jāce gaura-bihita, kīrtana śuni', ānande hṛdoya nāce

(5) jugala-mūrti, dekhiyā mora, parama-ānanda hoya prasāda-sebā korite hoya, sakala prapañca jaya

(6) je-dina gṛhe, bhajana dekhi, gṛhete goloka bhāya caraṇa-sīdhu, dekhiyā gańgā, sukha sā sīmā pāya

(7) tulasī dekhi', jurāya prāṇa, mādhava-toṣaṇī jāni' gaura-priya, śāka-sevane, jīvana sārthaka māni

(8) bhakativinoda, kṛṣṇa-bhajane, anakūla pāya jāhā prati-dibase, parama-sukhe, swīkāra koroye tāhā

TRANSLATION

1) The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiastic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion.

2) The holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Krsna's pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me.

3) May I always visit all the holy places associated with the lila of Lord Caitanya and His devotees.

4) When I hear the sound of the mrdanga in my heart I always desire to join in kirtana; and when I hear the bonafide songs describing Lord Caitanya'spastimes, my heart dances in ecstasy.

5) Whenever I see the transcendental sri-vigrahas of Radha-Krsna I am in bliss, for by taking Their Lordships' prasada we can conquer over the material elements.

6) One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrndavana. When I take the caranamrta of the Deity, I see the holy Ganges waters that come from the feet of Lord Visnu, and my bliss knows no bounds.

7) By seeing the tulasi tree my heart feels joy and Lord Madhava (Krsna) is also satisfied. When I eat the prasada favored by Lord Caitanya sak ,spinach it is a new life's experience. (Lord Caitanya was very fond of a green vegetable preparation called sak,  .)

8) Bhaktivinoda concludes by saying: "Whosoever attains the stage of enthusiasm for these devotional practices will be supremely blissful wherever he may be

There is reactiones to not following such fasting in her previous life Draupadi  did not heed the good advise of Durvasa Muni to  properly observe Purusottama Masa that starts here on August 17 th for this offence ,she suffered so much, I also urge devotees to increase their bhakti during this month . One should not remain an ABC in spiritual life , it is supposed to be a  disciple of  ACBSP ,   Srila Prabhupada for sure would also want devotees to take Purusottama mas seriously 

http://nimaipandit.ning.com/profiles/blogs/glories-of-purushottam-m...

vaisnava das anu das

Paramananda das