BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Hare Krishna Calendar - ECPv5.1.5//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Hare Krishna Calendar X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Hare Krishna Calendar BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Africa/Abidjan BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20260101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260629 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260630 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T041359Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T041414Z UID:10201-1782691200-1782777599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Snana Yatra DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n On this full-moon day\, sixteen days before Ratha- yatra\, Lord Jagannatha is bathed. He becomes sick and is confined to rest for fourteen days. He is then offered special care until He comes out for Ratha-yatra.\n \n\n A special bath of Jagannath takes place on the Purnima of Jyestha month (Devasnan Purnima)\, to commemorate the appearance day of Lord Jagannath.\n \n\n According to Skanda Purana when Raja Indradyumna installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day considered to be the birth-day of Lord jagannath. Held in the full-moon day of the month of Jyestha this festival is also simultaneously held in all other important Puri\, it attracts thousands of visitors and pilgrims from all over the country.\n \n\n  \n \n\n 'Niladri Mohadaya'\, a religious text written in Orissan (Oriya) records the rituals of the festival. Sriharsa in his 'naisadhiya Charita' (XV.89) also refers to this festival of Purushottama. This bathing ceremony has a speciality. As this festival does not find mention in the early religious texts\, it is believed to be a tribal ceremony. Lord.Jagannath in His early form was being worshipped as Nilamadhava by a Savara chief called Viswabasu. The story is nicely told in the drama Jagannath Priyan natakam. Till now it is the Daitas and Savars (tribals) who have the exclusive right to conduct the festival. The tribals called Saoras (of southern Orissa) still perform a rite to bath their Deities ceremonially on the last day of the month of Jyestha. For this they collect water from remote Jungles where it remains untouched even by the shadow of the animals.\n \n\n  \n \n\n On the previous day of Snana Yatra the images of Jagannath\, Balabhadra and Subhadra along with the image of Sudarshana are ceremonially brought out from the sanctum in a procession to the Snana-vedi (Bathing pandal). This special pandal in the temple precinct of Puri is called Snana Mandap. It is at such a height that visitors standing outside the temple also get a glimpse of the Deities.\n \n\n  \n \n\n On the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi – the day before the bathing – Purnima) when the Deities are taken out in procession\, the whole process is called Pahandi or Pahandi vijay. Scholars have given different interpretations of the term ('Pahandi'). Some opine that it has been derived from the term 'Praspanda' meaning movement. Some others are inclined to interpret it as derivation from Pandya vijaya.\n \n\n For the festival the the Snana Vedi (bathing platform) is well decorated with traditional paintings of trees and gardens. Flags and toranas (arches strung with mango leaves) are also put up. The Deities are profusely decorated with flowers. All kinds of perfumes such as Dhupa (incense)\, Aguru (oils) etc. are then offered. As the 'Pahandi' of the Deities takes place to the accompaniment of music and beating of various indigenous drums. Thousands of devotees jostle and crave for a look at the Deities in procession.\n \n\n  \n \n\n In Puri the bathing procedure is as follows: After Mangala Arati\, the Suaras and Mahasuaras go in a ceremonial procession to fetch water from Suna Kua (Golden well) in one hundred and thirty\, vessels of copper and gold. All of them cover their mouths with a piece of cloth so as not to contaminate it even with their breath. Then all the vessels filled with water are preserved in the Bhoga Mandap. The Palla pandas (a class of Brahmin priests) then purify the water with Haridra (turmeric)\, Java (whole rice)\, Benachera\, Chandan\, Aguru\, flowers\, perfumes and medicinal herbs.\n \n\n  \n \n\n The bathing festival takes place during the morning hours of the purnima tithi. The filled vessels are carried from Bhoga Mandap to the Snana Vedi by the Suaras in a long single-line procession. This ritual is called 'Jaladhibasa' (Jala – water\, abhishek – bath).\n \n\n  \n \n\n Prior to the bathing ceremony Jagannath\, Baladeva and Subhadra\, covered in silken cloth and then smeared with red powder\, are taken in procession to a platform which is specially decorated and purified with water and incense. One hundred and eight gold vessels are filled with water taken from a special well containing waters from all the holy tirthas. Abhiseka is performed with this water\, accompanied by the chanting of vedic (Pavamana Sukta) mantras\, kirtana and blowing of conch shells.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Due to the amount of bathing liquids that are offered to cool the Lord's transcendental body at this time\, bear in mind that this is the hottest time in India just prior to the refreshing monsoon rains\, His painted form takes a bit of a wash-out. The colouration of the Deity's faces are painted on with natural earthly mineral paints not modern oil based paints\, so when water is applied to cool Their forms it also has the effect of washing away the features of the former painting. As usual the Lord has a plan to make everything go smoothly. To bridge the episode of His bathing and the period that He comes out to bless everyone for Rathyatra He organized some special pastimes by which the devotees can serve Him and remember His wonderful forms.\n \n\n  \n \n\n So to keep a wonderful mood of seeing the Lord in an uplifting manner the Lord arranged for the Hati Vesha festival where Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balaram then puts on the elephant dress\, Hati Vesha\, and Lady Subhadra wears a lotus flower vesha.\n \n\n  \n \n\n The original story is told in several different ways\, some call Hati snan (elephant bath) some call Ganesh abhishek as they identify the following story as being the original cause of the Lord to wear this elephant vesh for His devotee: It is said that a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesh and himself a profound scholar visited Puri during Snana Yatra. He was amply rewarded by the king of Orissa for his scholarship. The king asked the scholar to accompany him to see Lord Jagannath which he refused under the pretext that he wouldn't worship any "God" other than his Ishthadevata Ganesh. Somehow he was persuaded and brought before the Snana vedi. To the utter surprise of all\, Lord Jagannath appeared with an elephantine form that resembled as Ganesh. Since then during Snana Yatra when the sacred bath is performed\, the Deities are dressed like elephants – resembling Ganesh. Various other legends are also told and reasons assigned explaining the Ganesh besa (vesha).\n \n\n  \n \n\n During the sacred bath the colours painted on the images generally fade. Seeing the wooden deities in discolour devotees may not have the appropriate devotional attitude and in fact may feel sinful repugnance. For this reason\, the images are immediately dressed in the Hati vesha (besa) in which they remain mostly covered.\n \n\n  \n \n\n After the Snana Yatra\, the Deities are kept away from public view for fifteen days and during all these days the daily rites of the temple remain suspended. As Jagannatha himself instructed\, after this ceremony\, he is not seen for a fortnight. The Deities are kept on a special "sick room" called the Ratan vedi inside the temple. This period is called 'Anabasara kala' meaning improper time for worship. It has been said earlier that the Deities are discoloured as a result of the sacred bath – some say look a bit off colour. During these fifteen days the Daitas (descendants of Viswavasu\, the Savara) repaint and restore the Deities and Jagannath's fine decorations. The period of colouring and decorating the Deities is divided into seven short periods\, each of two days duration\, and a short period of one day set apart to give finishing touches. Thus the period covers the whole fortnight. On the 16th day the Deities in their new forms after renovation become ready for the public view – darshan. The festival of the first appearance of the Lord Jagannath to his devotees is called Netrotsava (festival for the eyes) or Nava Yauvanotsava (festival of the ever new youth). According to priests of the Jagannath temple the devotee washes away all his sins if he gets a vision of the Lord on this day. On this occasion\, therefore\, great rush of people occurs in the temple.\n \n\n  \n \n\n The Shilpa Shastras and Agamas testify that the Deities become suitable for worship only after the performance of the rite of 'Chakshyu Unmilana' (Opening of the eyes). During 'Anabasara'\, the Daitas offer to the Deities only fruits and water mixed with cheese\, and Dasa mula medicines to cure his fever.. In a devotional mood the devotees accept that due to all the bathing the Lord becomes transcendentally poorly\, and therefore needs to take rest. Like human beings they are considered to have fallen ill and are treated by the Raj Vaidya or the King's physician with specific medicines (Dasamulas).\n \n\n  \n \n\n The temple-festivals which are held in a bigger and elaborate scale in the important shrines of Puri and Bhubaneswar are also held simultaneously in all other small shrines of the respective Deities\, though in modest scales. Likewise the Snana Yatra is held in many other temples of Orissa\, and now all over the world.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Other deities may also receive abhiseka on this day. One should perform puja and bathe the Deities with water or panca gavya and pancamrta while chanting the vedic mantras like purusa sukta.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Snan Yatra & Hati Vesha Utsav by Jaya Tirtha Charan darshan\n \n\n  \n \n\n The Snan yatra bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath has become one of the most popular festivals on the Iskcon calendar over the years since His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad introduced it to the world outside of India. Traditionally this festival has been going on since the time of the carving of the 'Dharu-brahman' Deities of Lord Jagannath\, Lord Balaram\, and Lady Subhadra in Sri Purushottam Kshetra (Jagannath Puri) thousands of years ago\, commemorating Their sacred appearance for Their devotees – primarily the saintly King Maharaj Indradyumna.\n \n\n Many of you would know that after the bathing ceremony the Lord catches a transcendental chill\, are fed sweet foods and drinks to break Their fever\, and then retires for Their 'Anavasara kala' – recuperation period. In Jagannath Puri where the Deities are painted with natural mineral paints\, after the bathing ceremony the paints have a tendency to run and the Deities would be not viewable to the general public. So to allow the devotees to partake further in the Lord's pastimes\, They made a special arrangement with one 'brahmin' who came to visit to take 'darshan' at this time.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Lord Sri Krishna\, Jagannath is the Lord of the Universe and so in essence is the original creator of everything\, nothing exists without Him. In one sense then everything is Him\, at least coming from Him. Just as in the creation of a by-product from an original source the by-product has it’s existence by association with the original object. Shastra gives the example of milk being transformed into yogurt for a functionary analogy of Krishna being like the original source (milk in this case) and Lord Shiva being like yogurt\, having come in contact with a culture for his functionary activities in the material world. The milk therefore in one sense created yogurt\, but that yogurt can never again become milk. Therefore it\, although one in origin\, it is different\, becoming secondary or mutated potency and therefore lesser in potency and function.\n \n\n Sripad Shankaracarya taught a very dangerous philosophy called pancopasika (païcopasana – Chaitanya Chairitamrta Adi-lila 7:151. Purport; Madhya-lila 9:360. purport)\, which wrongly inferred that the Lord and His primary creation\, and the predominating Deities of it were equal in potency to Him. He said that Lord Vishnu\, Ganesh\, Shiva\, Surya\, Laxmi (Durga\, Kali\, Saraswati) were/are equal which to us\, and to Lord Vishnu is to be considered as a grave offense (civasya cré-vinëor ya iha guëa-namadi-sakalaa / dhiya bhinnaa pacyet sa khalu hari-namahita-karaù. – Padma Purana.)\n \n\n  \n \n\n In various places it is phrased slightly different ways; (2) to consider the Lord and the demigods to be on the same level or to think that there are many gods (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta Adi-lila 7:73.\, purport.) (b) to consider the name of Lord Siva or any other demigod to be equally as powerful as the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (no one is equal to the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, nor is anyone superior to Him)(A.C. Bhaktivedanta swami Prabhupada. SB 7:5:23-24. Purport.) ”The second offense is to see the holy names of the Lord in terms of worldly distinction. The Lord is the proprietor of all the universes\, and therefore He may be known in different places by different names\, but that does not in any way qualify the fullness of the Lord. Any nomenclature which is meant for the Supreme Lord is as holy as the others because they are all meant for the Lord. Such holy names are as powerful as the Lord\, and there is no bar for anyone in any part of the creation to chant and glorify the Lord by the particular name of the Lord as it is locally understood. They are all auspicious\, and one should not distinguish such names of the Lord as material commodities.”(A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srimad bhagavatam 2:1:11. Purport.)\n \n\n  \n \n\n sthavara-jaìgama dekhe\, na dekhe tara mürti\n \n\n sarvatra haya nija inoa-deva-sphürti\n \n\n  \n \n\n “A Vaishnava never sees the material form of anything\, moving or nonmoving. Rather\, everywhere he looks he sees the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, and immediately he remembers the transcendental form of the Lord.”\n \n\n  \n \n\n This wonderfully merciful and enlivening story of the Lord knowing the heart of His devotee\, and personally bestowing His mercy upon him has nothing what so ever with that deviant philosophy.\n \n\n The story goes that this 'brahmin' was a devotee of Lord Jagannath\, but for some reason expected to see the elephant-headed deva\, Ganesh\, in the temple. The 'brahmin' was somewhat disappointed seeing the deva / demigod not there\, and that Lord Jagannath had been bathed already and that They were looking a bit 'off colour' with Their mineral paint colours running. In many ways the hearts’ desire of that devotee were unfulfilled. Then that night\, knowing his heart\, the Lord appeared to the devotee in a dream and told him to go back to the temple and he would not be disappointed. Rather all his desires would be fulfilled by worshipping Lord Jagannath and not by separatedly worshipping any deva (Bhagavad Gita 9:23.).\n \n\n  \n \n\n The all merciful Lord then appeared to his devotee; Lord Jagannath and Lord Balaram assumed the appearance of beautifully decorated elephants\, while Lady Subhadra decorated Herself as a Lotus flower. From that time on they began the Hati Vesha (Elephant Mask) festival. Consequently some call it the Hati-vesh festival\, some the Ganesh-vesh festival. Both are correct – the Lord assumed a special form to satisfy His devotee\, just as in other cultures we hear stories of the Lord appearing to Moses in the form of a Burning Bush\, or to Mohammed in the form of sound\, or as with Jagannath in the form of the Dharu-brahman logs that washed up upon the ocean shore to be carried by the sabara Virabhadra\, and fashioned by the architect of the devas Vishvakarma into the wonderful forms of Sriyuts Jagannath\, Baladeva and Subhadra maharani we see before us.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Formerly when we were in Mayapur we had the rare opportunity to discuss through some local devotees (Jananivas and Pankajanagrhi prabhus) with 'pujaris' from Jagannath Puri who were helping to authenticate Iskcon's 'seva' to the Lord at the Jagannath temple in Mayapur. They described to me the festival\, and how to execute it. Since then we began that festival in Melbourne\, Australia where the festival is still an escalating favourite with all of the congregation of devotees.\n \n\n  \n \n\n In essence the festival begins with Their Lordships coming to the Snan-Vedi. At this time everyone there gets the great blessing of being able to render the service of bathing the Lord in nectarean natural bathing substances. After that the Deities return to the altar to be cleaned off\, where They are tended by Their 'sevaks'. The Deities are then dressed in their 'Hati Veshes' (Elephant Masks) and offered a wonderful myriad of sweets and sticky buns\, cakes\, and local delicacies – as all elephants\, and especially These Transcendental Ones\, love. The curtains are again opened leaving the food offerings of love for all to see before the Lord. The 'Arati' ceremony is then performed\, and according to the Jagannath pujaris\, traditionally it is accepted that the Lord bestows all benedictions and blessings upon those fortunate enough to be there to see Them there in Their Elephant masks. After the 'Arati' the Deities retire to Their 'Anavasara' rest rooms to 'restore the colour to Their cheeks'\, where the Lord will be served in private intimacy for the next couple of weeks up to the 'netrotsava' or 'nava yauvanotsava' – first restoration 'darshan'.\n \n\n  \n \n\n The abundance of offerings are then distributed for a small donation to all the eager devotees who wait to savour the culinary blessings of the Lord too.\n \n\n Their Lordships now have their very own Hati Veshes so that everyone may participate in this transcendental festival.\n \n\n\n\n\n\n   \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/snana-yatra-2026/ CATEGORIES:Major Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Snana-Yatra.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260629 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260630 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T041646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T042029Z UID:10203-1782691200-1782777599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Mukunda Datta DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nMukunda Datta\, the son of Vasudeva Datta\, was a classmate of Lord Caitanya’s. Mukunda Datta had a melodious voice\, and he knew the intricacies of musical meters and ragas. \n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography etc. of Sri Mukunda Datta – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-mukunda-datta-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Mukunda-Datta.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260629 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260630 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T042710Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T043017Z UID:10206-1782691200-1782777599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Sridhara Pandita DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nKholaveca Sridhara Thakura lived just on the border of Nadia. He maintained himself by selling bananas\, vegetables\, banana leaves and cups. \n \n  \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography of Sri Sridhara Pandita – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n  \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-sridhara-pandita-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Sridhara-Pandita.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260630 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260701 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T043704Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T043815Z UID:10208-1782777600-1782863999@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Syamananda Prabhu DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nSyamananda Prabhu\, a disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya\, established the temple of Sri Radha-Syamasundara in Vrndavana. \n \n  \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Bhajans\, Gallery\, etc. of Sri Syamananda Prabhu – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n  \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-syamananda-prabhu-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Syamananda-Prabhu.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260705 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260706 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T044618Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T044636Z UID:10210-1783209600-1783295999@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Appearance Day of Sri Vakresvara Pandita DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nVakresvara Pandita is mentioned in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta for his ecstatic dancing. Once\, in the house of Srivasa Thakura\, he danced in constant ecstasy for seventy-two hours.\n \n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Gallery\, etc. of Sri Vakresvara Pandita – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n  \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/appearance-day-of-sri-vakresvara-pandita-2026/ CATEGORIES:Appearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Vakresvara-Pandita.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260710 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260711 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T044940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T044956Z UID:10212-1783641600-1783727999@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Srivasa Pandita DESCRIPTION:\n\n\nSrivasa Pandita\, or Srivasa Thakura\, was a member of the Panca- tattva\, consisting of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His four immediate expansions and energies.\n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Bhajans\, Gallery\, etc. of Sri Srivasa Pandita – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-srivasa-pandita-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Srivasa-Pandita.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260711 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260712 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T045145Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T045204Z UID:10214-1783728000-1783814399@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Yogini Ekadashi DESCRIPTION: \n\n Yogini Ekadasi occurs during the waning Moon in the month of Ashadha (June/July) and it's glories are described in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Once Maharaj Yudhisthira enquired from Sri Krsna\, "O Supreme Lord! O Madhusudana! You have described the insurmountable glories of Nirjala Ekadasi. Now I very much wish to hear about the Ekadasi that takes place during the waning Moon in the Ashadha month.\n \n\n The Personality of Godhead svayam-bhagavan Sri Krsna replied\, "My dear King\, I will detail the Ekadasi that comes in the month of Ashadha and the glorious results it's observance brings. This Ekadasi is known to all as Yogini Ekadasi and it destroys all one's most grave sinful reactions. It has the power to deliver one from the ocean of material existence and is all auspicious.\n \n\n "O best of Kings\, Yudhisthira! I will now narrate a story from the Purana to illustrate this sublime truth. Kuvera\, the king of Alakapuri is famously devoted to Lord Shiva. Once he had a Yaksa gardener named Hema who was married to Visalakshi. Visalakshi was known throughout the region for her fantastically supercilious beauty; thereupon Hema was most ensnared by his wife's attractiveness. He would regularly gather flowers from the Manasa-sarovara lake and deliver them to Kuvera for his puja to Lord Shankara. One day however\, instead of giving them to Kuvera he remained at home\, captured in the tight bondage of his wife's love.\n \n\n "As a result of this\, Kuvera did not receive any flowers on that day. Kuvera waited six long hours for Hema to arrive. He was most infuriatingly aggravated since\, due to the absence of flowers he was unable to complete his worship of Shiva. Finally after testing his patience to it's breaking point Kuvera\, the king of the Yakshas bellowed: "Send my messenger to the house of the gardener Hema\, find out what the devil he thinks he's playing at!" And with that Kuvera sank into his seat\, despondent at the turn of the day's affairs.\n \n\n "After some time the messenger returned: 'O King Kuvera\, Hema the gardener is enjoying the association of his wife in his house.' On hearing this\, Kuvera's anger quadrupled in magnitude and he demanded that Hema be brought before him immediately. On coming to his senses Hema Mali grew ashamed and trembling with fear he came before king Kuvera. He offered his respectful obeisances\, yet when he rose he was not surprised to find Kuvera's eyes had grown red with anger and his entire body trembled with rage.\n \n\n "In a voice like burning oil Kuvera said: 'O sinful one! O destroyer of religious principles\, you have disregarded my most worshipable Lord Sri Shankara and instead you have engaged in your own sense gratification. So be it\, I am cursing you now to suffer from white leprosy. You will henceforth remain separated from your beautiful wife and be always known as a low-class fool. Now\, get out of my sight!'\n \n\n "Being thus cursed by the powerful Kuvera\, Hema Mali immediately fell from Alakapuri and was born upon the earth. He became afflicted with white leprosy and suffered immensely miserable conditions. In intense agony he took shelter of a dense and formidable forest. In the gloomy depths of the forest he suffered the pangs of hunger and thirst and at night he could not sleep for fear of wild animals. After wandering through this forest for some time he came at last to the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range. While moving hither and thither through this region he met with great providence and good fortune the most esteemed and regal sage Markendaya. Feeling very forlorn and downtrodden Hema Mali stood at some distance from the Rsi and offered his obeisances again and again. The kind hearted sage called the poor\, afflicted person before him and asked: 'Dear sir\, how has the dreadful fate befallen you? What possible sinful\, condemnable activities have you performed to warrant such a nasty reaction?\n \n\n "On hearing this\, Hema Mali replied: 'O most kind and munificent sage! I was the gardener of Kuvera\, king of the Yakshas. My name is Hema. I used to collect flowers from the Manasa-sarovara lake for the worship of Lord Shiva. One day I was late to give flowers to my master because I was fulfilling my lusty desires instead. Therefore Kuvera became angry and cursed me in this way. I do not know what great fortune has brought me to you\, I have heard that the hearts of the saintly personalities are always afflicted by seeing the sufferings of others and they are always engaged in welfare activities. O great sage! With my head in my hands I surrender unto you unequivocally\, please be kind and deliver this poor\, fallen wretch.\n \n\n "The sage Markendaya spoke in a compassionate voice like liquid honey. 'O gardener! I will instruct you about a most auspicious and beneficial vow. This vow is known as Yogini Ekadasi and it occurs during the waning Moon of the Ashadha month (June/July.) By the influence of it's piety you will certainly be liberated from the curse you are suffering. On hearing this instruction Hema proceeded to proffer his humble genuflections in the dust at the saints feet again and again\, he became joyful and wept tears of sincere gratitude. When the Ekadasi day arrived he oberved it in the proper manner by rising early and abstaining from all eating and drinking. By the influence of completing the sacred vow of Ekadasi he regained his divine form and returned to his home in Alakapuri\, the abode of Kuvera. He was happily reunited with his wife and humbly took up his gardening service once more.\n \n\n "O best beloved\, the result one obtains by feeding eighty-eight thousand brahmanas is attained by observing this Yogini Ekadasi. This indomitable Ekadasi destroys all one's sinful reactions! \n \n\n  \n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/yogini-ekadashi-2026/ CATEGORIES:Ekadasi ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Yogini-Ekadashi.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260714 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260715 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T045517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T045530Z UID:10216-1783987200-1784073599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Gadadhara Pandita DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nGadadhara Pandita is among the group known as the Panca-tattva. Gadadhara Pandita is considered an incarnation of Srimati Radharani\, the eternal consort of Sri Krsna. \n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Gallery\, etc. of Sri Gadadhara Pandita – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-gadadhara-pandita-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Gadadhara-Pandita.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260714 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260715 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T050346Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T050444Z UID:10218-1783987200-1784073599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nBhaktivinoda Thakura reestablished\, in the closing days of the nineteenth century\, the teachings of Lord Caitanya\, which by then had been largely misrepresented or lost. \n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Gallery\, etc. of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – www.gaudiyahistory.com\nBhajans by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – www.vaishnavsongs.com\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-srila-bhaktivinoda-thakura-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Srila-Bhaktivinoda-Thakura.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260715 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260716 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T050717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T050734Z UID:10220-1784073600-1784159999@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Gundica Marjana DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n The cleansing of the Gundica temple in Jagannatha Puri\, India.\n \n\n In his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya\, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura summarizesthis chapter as follows. The King of Orissa\, Maharaja Prataparudra\,tried his best to see Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Nityananda Prabhu andthe other devotees informed the Lord about the King's desire\, but SriCaitanya Mahaprabhu would not agree to see him. At that time Sri NityanandaPrabhu devised a plan\, and He sent a piece of the Lord's outward garmentto the King. The next day\, when Ramananda Raya again entreated SriCaitanya Mahaprabhu to see the King\, the Lord\, denying the request\, askedRamananda Raya to bring the King's son before Him. The prince visited theLord dressed like a Vaisnava\, and this awakened remembrance of Krsna. Thus SriCaitanya Mahaprabhu delivered the son of Maharaja Prataparudra.\n \n\n After this\, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed the Gundica temple before the Ratha-yatra took place. He then took His bath at Indradyumna Lakeand partook of prasadam in the garden nearby. While Sri CaitanyaMahaprabhu washed the temple of Gundica\, a Gaudiya Vaisnava washed the lotus feet of the Lord and drank the water. This incident is very significant\,for it awoke within the devotee ecstatic love. Then the son of AdvaitaPrabhu named Gopala fainted during kirtana\, and when he did not come to hissenses\, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu favored him by awakening him. There was alsosome humorous talk between Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu duringprasadam. Advaita Prabhu said that Nityananda Prabhu was unknown to anyoneand that it was not the duty of a householder brahmana to accept dinner with aperson unknown in society. In answer to this humorous statement\, SriNityananda Prabhu replied that Advaita Acarya was a monist and that one couldnot know how his mind could be turned by eating with such an impersonalist.The conversation of these two prabhus – Nityananda Prabhu and AdvaitaPrabhu – carried a deep meaning that only an intelligent man can understand.After all the Vaisnavas finished their luncheon\, Svarupa Damodara andothers took their prasadam within the room. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took greatpleasure when He saw the Jagannatha Deity after the period of the Deity'sretirement. At that time Lord Caitanya was accompanied by all the devotees\, andall of them were very pleased.\n \n\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/gundica-marjana-2026/ CATEGORIES:Other Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Gundica-Marjana.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260716 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260717 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T050925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T050941Z UID:10222-1784160000-1784246399@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Ratha Yatra Starts DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n The chariot festival in which Lord Krsna in the form of Lord Jagannatha rides with Lord Balarama and Subhadra Devi in Jagannatha Puri\, India.\n \n\n \n \n\n At the height of Indian summer\, right at the beginning of the Monsoon\, the Lord of Puri goes to his garden palace for the annual summer vacation. Originally the festival has its foundation in the residents of Vrindavan bringing back their Lords\, Krishna\, Balaram and Lady Subhadra from Kurukshetra.\n \n\n Today in Puri He\, the Lord of the Universe travels in some style from his temple in Puri\, to his garden temple\, located outside the town centre called Gundicha. Thousands of Hindus flock to see\, and to pull the grand chariots from one temple to the other. The English word "Jagannaut" comes from the giantchariots of Lord Jagannath of Puri. The British were so stunned by the size of the chariots\, they coined a word for it!\n \n\n In Puri\, Lord Jagannath is worshipped with his elder brother Bala-Rama and his sister Subhadra. Each sibling has his / her own chariot and goes to the summer residence with great pomp. Each of the chariots is covered in distinctly coloured cloth. Various symbols and signs help pilgrims distinguish between the three gods. As a mark of respect\, and humbleness\, the king of Puri sweeps the chariots of the Gods of Puri. Festival begins with a huge fanfare of conches\, trumpets\, drums and cymbals. Accompanied by music and dancers\, the divine travellers begin their journey to the garden temple.\n \n\n In order to accommodate the three chariots\, the street leading from the main temple to the garden temple is very wide. Temples\, ashrams\, hotels\, inns\, shops and mansions of the old aristocracy line the route. All buildings are colourfully decorated with flags\, buntings and awnings of bright colours. Ladies in colourful saries crowd the balconies\, doors and windows decked with flowers. Men and women rush to pullthe chariots along this main street of Puri. This is an exciting time in Puri. The Lord who is rarely glimpsed outside his inner sanctum\, is now easily accessible to everyone in the streets of Puri !\n \n\n Away from the hustle and bustle of the city\, away from the innumerable temple servants\, away from their spouses\, the siblings enjoy their "Vrindavan-like" garden retreat. The temple routine in the garden temple is very much relaxed compared to the main temple. Various festivities and fun are planned for their short stay in this leafy abode. ( Depending on the lunar cycle\, this festival can last anywhere from 1 – 2 weeks. )\n \n\n As the Lord has only taken his brother and his sister on this holiday\, the wives are left at home! Alone and brooding\, Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth)\, seeks help from Goddess Vimala to get their husband back. Travelling by night\, in a closed palanquin\, she arrives at the garden temple of the Lord. She enchantsthe Lord and entreats him to return.\n \n\n A few days later\, Lord returns to his city temple. Though delighted\, goddess Lakshmi orders the temple doors to be shut in His face – in the vain hope of teaching Him a lesson! In the conversation that follows\, female attendants (dev-dasi) of the Goddess blame the Lord of being inconsiderate\, "Jack the Lad"\, taking His wife for granted and being far too easily led by the in-laws (sounds familiar?).\n \n\n The mood of the sevaks in Puri is that Jagannath is their friend as opposed to Him being their Master\, as in other lilas. In many cases the residents of Purushottam Sri Kshetra make many comparission with their own lives in dealing with Jagannath. These intimacies reflect the overall mood\, and carry the tradition of heritage of Jagannath's original coming to Puri many thousands of years before and the wonderful pastimes of the saintly Indradyumna maharaj vision of the Lord\, Visvavasu the Sabara's attachment to the Lord as Nila Madhav\, and finally the mystical appearance of the Dharu-Brahma from which the first Deities were carved by the architect of the devas Vishvakarma\, the mystical carrying of the log by the descendant of Visvavasu (Virabhadra) that many elephants and men could not budge. Such wonderful depictive pastimes make one's hair stand in horipulations at their recitation.\n \n\n Today in Puri Lord's servants explain that He really had no choice\, as they bring Him back that He went against His will\, He still loves Her deeply and respects Her enormously!! Eventually\, the Lord offers the female gate-keepers bribess and enters the inner sanctum to pacify the Goddess Lakshmi. Such are the dramas of a married man's life! The next day\, Lord and the Goddess once again appear in the public\, reconciled and as loving as ever. Lord's summer vacation is over\, and life in the great temple returns to its age old routine.\n \n\n Of all the festivals\, the Ratha Yatra of Jagannatha is the most famous. This takes place on the second day of the waxing phase of the moon of the asadha month. Jagannatha ordered King Indradyumna to take him to his birth place\, the Gundica Mandira (symbolically Vrindavana)\, on this day.\n \n\n Jagannatha's ratha is marked with a cakra and garuda\, is yellow in color\, with four white horses. The protecting deity is Nrsimha.\n \n\n Baladeva's cart is blue\, with a palm tree insignia\, and four black horses. The protecting deity is Sesa.\n \n\n Subhadra's cart is black\, with lotus insignia\, protected by Vanadurga.\n \n\n Sudarsana is carried out first and placed on Subhadra's cart. In succession Subhadra\, Baladeva\, and Jagannatha are moved to their carts using silk ropes. After being situated on their carts they are decorated and worshipped. Midway on the journey\, the carts stop\, the deities are bathed in pancamrta and cool water\, and naivedyam and aratrika are offered. On arrival at the Gundica Mandira\, aratrika is offered\, and then the deities enter the temple for rest.\n \n\n On the fifth day of the lunar month\, called Hera (looking for) Pancami\, Laksmi comes looking for Jagannatha with Siva and her maid servants. When the servants of Jagannatha see her at the first gate of the Gundica Mandira\, they close the door of Jagannatha's bhoga mandira so that she cannot see him. She becomes angry and breaks a piece of Jagannatha's ratha. After taking a meal she returns to the main temple.\n \n\n On the ninth day of the moon\, the return Ratha Yatra takes place\, and Laksmi and her servants come to meet Jagannatha. Jagannatha gives her his garland to appease her.\n \n\n Several days later on dvadasi\, Laksmi closes the temple doors in anger and her servants quarrel with Jagannatha's servants. After Jagannatha concedes defeat\, the doors are opened again.\n \n\n Such is the reverance\, the fun\, the mysticism\, and overall bliss of Rathyatra in Jagannath Puri.\n \n\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/ratha-yatra-starts-2026/ CATEGORIES:Other Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ratha-Yatra-Starts.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260716 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260717 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T051052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T051107Z UID:10224-1784160000-1784246399@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nSvarupa Damodara Gosvami was the personal secretary of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was a great scholar as well as an expert musician. \n \n  \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Gallery\, etc. of Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami – www.gaudiyahistory.com\nBhajans by Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami – www.vaishnavsongs.com\n\n\n\n  \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-svarupa-damodara-gosvami-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260716 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260717 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T051315Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T051334Z UID:10226-1784160000-1784246399@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Sivananda Sena DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nSivananda Sena\, an associate of Lord Caitanya\, used all his possessions and wealth in the service of Lord Caitanya and His devotees. Every year he would lead a party of 200 devotees from Bengal to Jagannatha Puri to attend the annual Ratha-yatra festival. \n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Bhajans\, etc. of Sri Sivananda Sena – www.gaudiyahistory.com\nBhajans by Sri Sivananda Sena – www.vaishnavsongs.com\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-sivananda-sena-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Sivananda-Sena.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260718 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260719 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T051519Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T051537Z UID:10228-1784332800-1784419199@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Hera Pancami DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n A festival held three days after Ratha-yatra to commemorate Srimati Rukmini Devi’s visit to Vrndavana to bring Lord Krsna back to Dvaraka.\n \n\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/hera-pancami-2026/ CATEGORIES:Other Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hera-Pancami.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260719 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260720 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T051813Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T051843Z UID:10230-1784419200-1784505599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sri Vakresvara Pandita DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n \n  \n  \n  \n  \nVakresvara Pandita is mentioned in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta for his ecstatic dancing. Once\, in the house of Srivasa Thakura\, he danced in constant ecstasy for seventy-two hours. \n \n  \nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Gallery\, etc. of Sri Vakresvara Pandita – www.gaudiyahistory.com\n\n\n\n  \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sri-vakresvara-pandita-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sri-Vakresvara-Pandita.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260724 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260725 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T052038Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T052055Z UID:10232-1784851200-1784937599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Return of Ratha Yatra DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n The chariot festival in which Lord Krsna in the form of Lord Jagannatha rides with Lord Balarama and Subhadra Devi in Jagannatha Puri\, India.\n \n\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/return-of-ratha-yatra-2026/ CATEGORIES:Other Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Return-of-Ratha-Yatra.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260725 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260726 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T052259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T052358Z UID:10234-1784937600-1785023999@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Sayana Ekadashi DESCRIPTION: \n\n Sayan Ekadashi Deva Sayani Ekadashi Padma Ekadashi from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.\n The saintly king Yudhishthira Maharaj said\, “Oh Keshava\, what is the name of that Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June July)? Who is the worshippable Deity for the auspicious day\, and what is the process for observing this event?”\n \n\n Lord Sri Krishna replied\, “Oh caretaker of this Earthly planet\, I shall gladly tell you a wonderful historical event that the deva lord Brahma once narrated to his son Narad Muni.\n \n\n “One day Narad Muni asked his father\, ‘What is the name of the Ekadashi that comes during the light part of the month of Ashadha’\, much as you did? ‘Kindly tell me how I should observe this Ekadashi and thus please the Supreme Lord\, Sri Vishnu.’\n \n\n “Lord Brahma replied\, ‘Oh great saintly orator\, O best of all sages\, Oh purest devotee of Lord Vishnu\, your question is as usual excellent for all mankind. There is nothing better than Ekadashi\, the day of Lord Sri Hari\, in this or any other world. It nullifies even the worst sins if observed properly. For this reason I shall tell you about this Ashadha-shukla Ekadashi.\n \n\n "Fasting on this Ekadashi purifies one of all sins and fulfills all ones desires. Therefore\, whoever neglects to observe this sacred fast day is a good candidate for entering into hell. Ashadha-shukla Ekadashi is also famous as Padma Ekadashi. Just to please the Supreme Lord Hrishikesha\, the master of the senses\, one should fast on this day. Listen carefully\, Oh Narad\, as I relate to you a wonderful historical event that was recorded in the scriptures regarding this Ekadashi. Just hearing this account destroys all kinds of sins\, along with all obstacles on the path to spiritual perfection.\n \n\n "Oh son\, there was once a saintly king in the Surya Vamsha (Sun dynasty) whose name was Mandhata. Because he always stood up for the truth\, he was appointed emperor. He took care of his subjects as though they were his very own family members and children. On account of his piety and great religiosity\, there was no pestilence\, drought\, or disease of any kind in his entire kingdom. All his subjects were not only free of all kinds of disturbances but also were very wealthy. The king’s own treasury was free of any ill-gotten moneys\, and thus he ruled happily for many years.\n \n\n "Once\, however\, because of some sin in his kingdom\, there was a drought for three years. The subjects found themselves beset by famine also. The lack of food grains made it impossible for them to perform the prescribed Vedik sacrifices\, offer oblations of grita (ghee) to their forefathers and to the devas\, engage in any ritualistic worship\, or even study the Vedik literatures. Finally\, they all came before their beloved king in a great assembly and addressed him thus\, ‘Oh king\, you always see to our welfare\, so we humbly beg your assistance now. Everyone and everything in this world needs water. Without water\, almost everything is rendered useless or dead. The Vedas call water nAra\, and because the Supreme Personality of Godhead sleeps upon water\, His another name is NArAyana. God makes His own abode on water and takes His rest there.\n \n\n It is said that three things cannot exist without water; pearls\, human beings\, and flour. The essential quality of a pearl is its luster\, and that is due to water. The essence of a man is his semen\, whose main constituent is water. And without water\, flour cannot be made into dough and then be cooked into various forms of bread\, offered and eaten. Sometimes water is called jala-nArAyaNa\, the Supreme Lord in the form of this life sustaining substance water.\n \n\n In His form as the clouds\, the Supreme Lord is present throughout the sky and pours forth rains\, from which grow the grains that maintain every living entity.\n \n\n "Oh king\, the severe drought has caused a great lack of valuable grains; thus we are all miserable\, and the population is decreasing as people die off or leave your kingdom. Oh best ruler on Earth\, please find some solutions to this problem and bring us to peace and prosperity once again.”\n \n\n "The king replied\, “You speak the truth\, for grains are like Brahman\, the Absolute Truth\, who lives within grains and thereby sustains all beings. Indeed\, it is because of grains that the entire world lives. Now\, why is there a terrible drought in our kingdom? The Holy Scriptures discuss this subject very thoroughly. If a king (or head of the country) is irreligious\, both he and his subjects suffer. I have meditated upon the cause of our problem for a long time\, but after searching my past and present character I can honestly say that I find no sin. Still\, for the good of all your subjects\, I shall try to remedy the situation.”\n \n\n Thinking in this way\, King Mandhata assembled his army and entourage. Paid his obeisances to me\, and then entered the forest. He wandered here and there\, seeking great sages in their Ashrams and inquiring about how to resolve the crisis in his kingdom. At last he came upon the ashram of one of my other sons\, Angira Muni\, whose effulgence lit up all directions. Seated in his hermitage\, Angira looked like a second Brahma. King Mandhata was very pleased to see that exalted sages\, whose senses were completely under control.\n \n\n "The king immediately dismounted his horse and offered his respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of Angira Muni. Then the king joined his palms and prayed for the Muni’s blessings. That saintly person reciprocated by blessing the king with sacred mantras; then he asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his kingdom. The seven limbs of a king’s domain are the king himself; the ministers; his treasury; his military forces; his allies; the brahmins; the sacrificial performances performed in the kingdom and the needs of the subjects under his care.\n \n\n "After telling the sage how the seven limbs of his kingdom were situated\, King Mandhata asked the sage about his own situation\, and if he was happy. Then Angira Muni asked the king why he had undertaken such a difficult journey into the forest\, and the king told him of the affliction his kingdom was suffering. The king said\, “Oh great sage\, I am ruling and maintaining my kingdom while following the Vedik injunctions\, and thus I do not know the reason for the drought. To solve this mystery\, I have approached you for help. Please help me relieve the suffering of my subjects.”\n \n\n "Angira Rishi said tot he king\, ‘The present age\, Satya yuga\, is the best of all ages\, for in this age Dharma stands on all four legs (Truthfulness\, Austerity\, Mercy\, and Cleanliness). In this age everyone respects Brahmins as the topmost members of society. Also\, everyone fulfills his occupational duties\, and only twice-born Brahmins are allowed to perform Vedik austerities and penances. Although this is a standard\, Oh lion among kings\, there is one shudra (uninitiated\, untrained person) who is thus unlawfully performing the rites of austerity and penance in your kingdom. This is why there is no rain in your land. You should therefore punish this labourer with death\, for by so doing you will remove the contamination inflicted by his actions and restore peace to your subjects.”\n \n\n "The king then replied\, “How can I kill an offenseless performer of austerity and sacrifice? Please give me some spiritual solution.”\n \n\n "The great sage Angira Muni then said\, “Oh king\, you should observe a fast on the Ekadashi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha. This auspicious day is named Padma Ekadashi\, and by its influence plentiful rains and thus grains and other foodstuffs will surely return to your kingdom. This Ekadashi bestows perfection upon its faithful observers\, removes all kinds of bad elements\, and destroys all obstacles on the path to perfection. Oh king\, you\, your relatives\, and your subjects should all observe this sacred Ekadashi fast. Then everything in your kingdom will undoubtedly return to normal.”\n \n\n "Upon hearing these words\, the king offered his obeisances and then returned to his palace. When the Padma Ekadashi arrived\, King Mandhata assembled all the Brahmins\, Kshatriyas\, Vaishyas and shudras in his kingdom and instructed them to strictly observe this important fast day. After they had observed it\, the rains fell\, just as the sage had predicted\, and in due course of time there were abundant crops and a rich harvest of grain. By the mercy of the Supreme Lord Hrishikesha\, the master of the senses\, all the subjects of King Mandhata became extremely happy and prosperous.\n \n\n "Therefore\, Oh Narada\, everyone should observe this Ekadashi fast very strictly\, for it bestows all kinds of happiness\, as well as ultimate liberation\, upon the faithful devotee’\n \n\n Lord Sri Krishna concluded\, “My dear Yudhishthira\, Padma Ekadasi is so powerful that one who simply reads or hears its glories becomes completely sinless. Oh Pandava\, one who wishes to please Me should strictly observe this Ekadashi\, which is also known as Deva-sayani Ekadashi\n \n\n Deva-sayani\, or Vishnu-sayani\, indicates the day when Lord Vishnu goes to sleep with all the devas (demigods). It is said that after this day one should not perform any new auspicious ceremonies until Devothani Ekadashi (Haribodhini (Probodhini) Devotthaani (Uttana) Ekadashi)\, which occurs during the month of Kartika (October November)\, because the devas (demigods)\, being asleep\, cannot be invited to the sacrificial arena and because the Sun is travelling along its Southern course (Dakshinayanam).\n \n\n “Lord Sri Krishna continued\, “Oh lion among kings\, Yudhishthira Maharaj\, whoever wants liberation should regularly observe a fast on this EkAdasi which is also the day when the Chaturmasya fast begins.”\n \n\n Thus ends the narration of the glories of the Ashadha-shukla Ekadashi\n also known as Padma Ekadashi or Deva-sayani Ekadashi from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana. \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/sayana-ekadashi-2026/ CATEGORIES:Ekadasi ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Sayana-Ekadashi.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260729 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260730 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T052647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T052710Z UID:10236-1785283200-1785369599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Guru (Vyasa) Purnima DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n The appearance anniversary of Srila Vyasadeva\, the compiler of the Vedic literature.\n \n\n This event really is directed towards Srila Vyasadeva\, thus in some sampradayas they refer to Guru Purnima as Vyasa Purnima. Traditionally it is the day when the guru is worshipped.\n \n\n In the book Festivals\, Fairs and Fasts of India (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Clarion books. page 88-89.) It says: Guru Purnima "……is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha in honour of the sage Vyasa\, by keeping a fast\, worshippig him for His blessings and to gain wisdom. Formerly on this day\, gurus who were the traditional teachers\, were honoured by their pupils.\n \n\n The river Beas is believed to have been so named as Vyasa practiced penance on its banks and compiled the four Vedas\, the Mahabharat and the Eighteen Purana there. Since it is not possible for one man to have compiled so much in his life-time\, and oer a tim span of a hundred years\, it is believed that the name Vyasa must have been applied to many sages. Generally speaking\, the name Veda Vyasa is applied to Krishna Dwaipayana who was the son of Satyavati and the sage Parasa – this is before Satyavati married King Shantanu of Mahabharata fame."\n \n\n  \n \n\n Some Brief Information About Srila Vyasadeva.\n \n\n "When the second millenium ('Dwarpa Yuga') overlapped the third ('Treta Yuga')\, the great sage Srila Vyasadeva was born to Parasara Muni in the womb of Satyati\, the daughter of Vasu (the fisherman)."\n \n\n (Srimad Bhagavatam 1:4:14.).\n \n\n  \n \n\n In Srila Vyasa's childhood he was called Krsna\, because of his dark complexion\, and because he was born on an island at the confluence of the Sati and Mati Rivers he was called Dwaipayana. After dividing the Vedas he got the name Veda Vyasa. There are some who say that Krsnadwaipayana Veda Vyasa took his birth at a place now known as Vyasa Goofer\, the cave of Srila Vyasa in present day Nepal\, on the road from Pokara to Kathmandu which was\, in days of yore\, part of the kingdom of King Janaka. There are local records that support this statement\, which say this was the 'ashrama' of Parasara Muni and at this place Srila Vyasa was conceived. They also lay claim that later Srila Vyasa came back to that 'ashrama' and stayed there for some time\, and this being why there is a small Deity of Him at the entrance of the cave. The Padma Purana however says that he was conceived on an island created by Parasara in the Yamuna river\, (Padmalocana Prabhu's book entitled "Yamuna Devi\, The Personification Of Prema Bhakti"\, Page 24.)\, in connection with the place known as Soma Tirtha ghat. Some also say that the birth place was at Damauli.\n \n\n Anyway\, everyone at least agrees that the date of Srila Vyasa's appearance was on the twelfth day of the light fortnight in the month of Vaisaka (April-May)\, called Vasant Dwadasi.\n \n\n  \n \n\n The following is the story that we just touched upon mentioning how Srila Vyasa came to make His appearance.\n \n\n Once the hermit Parasara became attracted to a fisher girl of the name Matsya-Gandha who was found inside a fish. (The fish was actually a celestial maiden named Adrika who conceived two children by collecting the semen of the King of Chedi when his semen had fallen into the water of a river after seeing two animals engaged in coitus.) Parasara Muni asked the beautiful Matsya-Gandha\, so named because of her fishy aroma\, to take him in her boat from one side of the river to the other\, but the beauty of this damsel\, her bodily movements from the rowing\, aroused lusty desires in Parasara. When he sat close to her she moved away\, and asked him not to violate her chastity\, but Parasara Muni being already too far carried away\, created an artificial fog on the river and seduced her right there in the boat. He then created an island in the river and on that island the girl conceived a child in her womb. Parasara explained to her that even after the child was born she would remain a virgin and the son born to her would be a portion of Lord Visnu and would be famous throughout the three worlds. He would be a man of purity\, the spiritual master of the entire world\, and He would divide the Vedas.\n \n\n Srila Vyasa soon grew into everything that Parasara had described\, and had many disciples.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Later in life it is recorded that Srila Vyasa returned to this island in the river and there compiled the Srimad Bhagavatam. Recorded is another instance when Srila Vyasa called for Ganesa (the elephant-headed 'deva') to write the Mahabharata as he related it to him. He did so on the condition that Srila Vyasa continually recited\, and Ganesa\, having perfectly understood the meaning\, wrote down the Mahabharata. The word "Vyasa" means one who describes elaborately.\n \n\n  \n \n\n "The great sage\, Srila Vyasa who was fully equipped with knowledge\, could see through his transcendental vision the deterioration of everything material\, due to the influence of the age. He could also see that the faithless people in general would be reduced in duration of life and would be impatient due to lack of goodness. Then he contemplated for the welfare of men in all statuses and orders of life. He saw that the sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas were means by which people's occupations could be purified\, and to simplify the process\, he divided the one Veda into four\, in order to expand them among men. The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge (the Vedas) were made separately\, but historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Puranas are called the fifth Veda."(Srimad Bhagavatam 1:4:17-20.).\n \n\n  \n \n\n "Thus the great sage Srila Vyasadeva\, who is very kind to the ignorant mass\, edited the Vedas so they might be assimilated by less intellectual men. Still he was not satisfied\, even though he was engaged in working for the total welfare of all people. Thus Srila Vyasa\, being dissatisfied in heart\, began to reflect within himself. 'I have\, under strict disciplinary vows\, unpretentiously worshipped the Vedas\, the spiritual master and the altar of sacrifice. I also abided by the rulings and have shown the import of disciplic succession through the explanation of the Mahabharata\, by which even women\, shudras and others (friends of the twice born) can see the path of religion. I am feeling incomplete\, though myself I am fully equipped with everything required by the Vedas. This may be because I did not specifically point out the devotional service of the Lord\, which is dear both to perfect beings and to the infallible Lord'."\n  \n \n\n "Srila Narada Muni (who was another son of Prajapati Brahma) reached the cottage of Srila Krsna-dwaipayana Vyasa on the banks of the Sarasvati\, where Srila Vyasa was staying at that time\, just when Srila Vyasa was regretting his defects. At the auspicious arrival of Srila Narada\, Srila Vyasadeva got up respectfully and worshipped him\, giving him veneration equal to that given to Sri Brahmaji\, the creator. Srila Narada then said: 'O Srila Vyasadeva\, your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness\, and thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage. The people in general are naturally inclined to enjoy\, and you have encouraged them in that way in the name of religion. This is verily condemned and is quite unreasonable. Because they are guided under your instructions\, they will accept such activities in the name of religion and will hardly care for prohibitions.' And so Narada Muni\, Srila Vyasadeva's spiritual master\, instructed Srila Vyasa to compile the Maha-Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam) now in his maturity for the benefit of all mankind\, to which Srila Vyasadeva agreed. He presented the glories of Krsna and His many incarnations just after the departure of Lord Krsna from this world. (Excerpts from Srimad Bhagavatam 1:4:24-33.).\n \n\n  \n \n\n "In this yuga the son of Parasara\, who is glorified as a part of Visnu and who is known as Dvaipayana\, the vanquisher of all enemies\, became Srila Vyasa. Urged by Brahma\, he undertook the task of classifying the Vedas. Srila Vyasa accepted four disciples to preserve and continue the Vedas. They were Jaimini who took care of the Sama Veda\, Sumantu – the Atharva Veda\, Vaisampayana – the Yajur Veda and Paila – the Rg Veda\, and for the Itihasa and Puranas – Lomaharsana."(Sri Vayu Purana 60:10-16.).\n \n\n According to Vayu Purana it says\, "Previously there have been twenty-eight Vyasas\, but when the twenty-eighth appears\, Lord Visnu\, the most Glorious\, Great Father of the three worlds\, becomes Dvaipayana Vyasa. Then Lord Sri Krsna\, the best amongst the Yadus will be born of Vasudeva and will be known as Vasudeva. Then in due course I (Vayu) will come in the form of an ascetic and assuming the body of a religious student\, will surprise the world by means of the Lord's 'yoga maya'." (Vayu Purana 23:206-208.) Actually\, this is Vayudeva announcing his appearance as Sripad Madhwacarya.("The Life And Legacy of Ananda Tirtha Bhagavatpad – Madhwacarya\, by Jaya Tirtha Charan dasa.)\n \n\n  \n \n\n Narayana Panditacarya has completed this seventh canto of Madhwa Vijay with a copulate of two verses called 'Antya-Yugma'. These verses introduce one to the miniature Vaikuntha realm\, glorifying the killer of the Mura demon\, Lord Murari\, Krsna\, Who is adorned with shining golden ornaments encrusted with the best of all kinds of previous gems. Sripad Madhwacarya remembered that same Lord lying down on Ananta Sesa\, having His lotus feet embraced by the Goddess of Fortune\, Laxmi devi\, Who eternally remains with the Lord\, smiling sweetly. This is the same Lord Visnu Who\, for the 'caturmasya' (four months of the rainy season) takes rest\, lying for two months on one side and then two months on the other side of His lotus body. He is Narayana\, who according to Manu (Manu Smrti)\, Sri Narayana lives in the Naram ocean\, and Who is also the localised Paramatma seated within the hearts of all His separated tiny living entities.\n  \n \n\n High in the Himalayan\, beyond where any mere mortal can go\, is to be found this Vaikuntha paradise. It is surrounded by ponds of full blown lotuses. The lotuses in these ponds are innumerable\, nay unlimited\, the most fragrant and indestructible. The sages and rshis who reside there make them into garlands for the Lord. Around these lakes are trees that constantly bear flowers\, blossoming\, sweet fragrant branches with fragrant flowers and fruits. These forest flowers adorn the captivating beauty of the Lord.\n  \n \n\n Sripad Madhwacarya could see all this from where he was standing looking to the north to the abode of Srila Vyasadeva. After his journey had neared it's end\, and after crossing the Himalayas\, Sripad Madhwacarya could see quite clearly the 'ashram' of Vedavyasa surrounded by jujube trees. That place is definitely not of this world; the whole 'ashram' was effulgent. Though up in the Himalayas\, there was no biting cold or rain or snow. The trees and bushes there\, which are way above the normal 'tree line'\, were none less than forests. As there was no unpleasant wind\, rain or cold\, also the sun was warm and comfortable. In the trees that touched the sky\, innumerable beautiful birds nested and sung. Under those shade trees all the renowned 'brahmins'\, who were famous for performing huge sacrifices\, sat\, transfixed in meditation on the lotus feet of the Lord\, Who resides in that place. In the surrounding areas\, one could see pure white swans\, whose necks entwined with the stems of blue\, white and pink lotuses.\n  \n \n\n Madhwa could recognise many great and famous Vaisnavas sitting around in the ashram of Srila Vyasadeva. When those pure Vaisnavas saw Sripad Madhwacarya approach the 'ashram'\, they enquired as to who this saintly person was. "Marked with thirty two auspicious markings\, lotus eyed\, moon-like face\, long arms and a golden complexion\, no doubt this man enhances even Vaikuntha. There is no sign of exertion\, and his face shows that his mind is fearless." "Is this person coming to this 'ashram' in the guise of a 'sannyasi'\, the four faced Lord Brahma\, or is it Mukhyaprana?"\n  \n \n\n Madhwa walked quickly due to his intense devotion. Seated under a jujube tree was Srila Vyasadeva. The 'jujube' tree was a representation of Lord Ananta Sesa\, with wide branches forming an umbrella which had jewels in the form of bright and fragrant flowers\, and hoods in the form of branches. It exactly resembled Lord Ananta Sesa with His hoods encrusted with jewels jutting out in all directions forming branch-like hoods. The branches of this tree support the six 'sattvic' Puranas\, the Upanishad's\, and Mahabharata\, and fruits that are sweet and full of nectar that drive away all known miseries like birth\, death\, old age and disease. These fruits cannot be obtained by those who are not devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead\, Lord Visnu – Krsna and Their numerous forms.\n  \n \n\n Sripad Madhwacarya approached closely the sages\, who\, with matted locks of hair on their heads and various Vaisnava 'tilaka' on their foreheads and bodies\, sat with clean white sacred threads draped over their left shoulders. They had all transcended lust\, anger\, greed\, false pride\, the pushing's of the senses\, and thoughts of trying to enjoy in the material world separately from the supreme enjoyer\, Sri Krsna. All natural opulence was there. They were all adorned with garlands and saffron coloured sandalwood paste was auspiciously there on their bodies.\n  \n \n\n On a raised seat sat the preceptor of the three worlds\, the son of Satyavati\, Srila Krsna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa. Sripad Madhwacarya had always been meditating on the Lord of his life\, his preceptor 'guru' within his heart seated on a white lotus. Now\, with brimming eyes\, wonder-struck as though he had just seen him for the very first time\, Madhwa drank the nectar of the vision of Vyasadeva through his eyes.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Madhwa Vijay (7:18-59.)\, describes Vedavyasa as follows: Satyavati gave birth to that Vedavyasa after praying to Lord Brahma\, and Vyasa was conceived by the sage Parasara. Srila Vyasadeva\, who has an ocean of wonderful attributes\, is Lord Narayana Himself. Vyasadeva's mind is compared to the milk ocean and his qualities of compassion and respect are like the Mandara mountain. By his churning appeared three mothers who were the three Vedas – Rg\, Yajur and Sama. By Vyasa the father and Veda the mother\, the demoniac qualities of Kali Yuga are checked. From Vyasadeva the white rayed cooling moon of the Puranas and the 'parijata' tree of the Mahabharata were given. Later\, born from it's own nectar\, appeared the Brahmasutras\, and Srimad Bhagavatam.\n  \n \n\n From the time of the Kuruksetra / Mahabharata war\, during which Vyasa bestowed his blessings on the Pandavas\, and even before this time\, Vyasa walked this earth to protect knowledge of the Vedas\, helping those devotees who have knowledge of that person who the Vedas are centred around. That is Lord Sri Krsna\, Who is known as 'Vedanta Krt'\, the compiler of 'Vedanta'\, and 'Veda Vit'\, the knower of the Vedas. In Bhagavad-Gita 10:37.\, Krsna Himself says\, "Of sages I am Vyasa."\n  \n \n\n Vyasa\, still living in Badrikasrama to this day for eternity with his pure devotees\, it says\, gave up this Kali Yuga for his Vaikuntha realm just as the sun gives up the sky for the coming of night. Vyasa is seated on an excellent blackish Krsna deer skin Madhwa recalls\, as he prostrated himself at the lotus feet of Vyasa. Taking the dust from Vyasadeva's feet he placed the sacred dust upon his own head. Sripad Madhwacarya was in ecstasy\, standing offering respects to Vyasa\, the best of sages\, whose feet are adorned with the marks of the flag\, thunderbolt\, goad for driving elephants\, and lotus\, they are naturally auspiciously tinged with red and have the repute to be red due to evaporating any material desires that may come to the minds of Vyasadeva's devotees.\n \n\n  \n \n\n The nails of those lotus feet gleam and remove darkness\, both of an internal nature by their purifying association and remembrance\, and externally by their bright lustre. If\, by material comparison of age one would think that the old hands of the sage Vyasa would be knotted\, no\, they are smooth and soft\, with long delicate fingers completely free from stress and diseases\, such as knots coming from arthritis.\n  \n \n\n Vyasadeva's two knees\, which are large\, round and joined to his long shins\, are free from fault. These legs of Vyasa\, which are free from fault\, account for a basis of good conduct even to those who are inferior in knowledge and devotion. Srila Vyasadeva's yoga-pattika waist band\, aid his firm sitting posture. The lotus waist of Vyasa maintains and fulfils all the devotees\, it is amazing that all the pure spiritual desires of the devotees are fulfilled by taking shelter at the waist of Vyasa. This waist is covered by a sacred Krsna deer skin\, hiding his deep and delicate navel. Vyasa's broad chest and broad mind support the pure white sacred thread\, and Brahmasutras respectively. Madhwa Vijay (7:34.)\, states that it has been well substantiated by Vedavyasa that Caturmukha Brahma is the son of Garbhadaksayi Visnu\, being born from a lotus sprouting from the Lord's lotus navel. This world has no equal or superior in all the three worlds. Brahma gave his 'Kaustubhamani'\, gem to Vedavyasa and that acts like a victory flag hanging around the neck of Vyasa.\n \n\n The story in brief follows that once when Prajapati Brahma was in the association of Vedavyasa and one thousand sages\, Srila Vyasa made a statement saying that he would always prove the superiority of Visnu Tattva at all times. The thousand sages took up the challenge and threw at Vedavyasa thousands of questio6ns simultaneously. Vyasadeva answered each question one by one perfectly all at the same time. Amazed at the victory of the literary incarnation of Lord Visnu\, Brahma presented the Kaustubha gem to Srila Vyasa.\n \n\n In Srila Vyasadeva's hands he holds a conchshell and a disc\, his hands are again soft pinkish red\, his arms are robust\, round and powerful. There is no comparison to the broadness of these limbs. By the tip of Vyasadeva's right hand he bestows 'divya jnana' – transcendental knowledge to his devotees\, and with the same tip of the same hand removes the darkness borne of ignorance simultaneously just like thunder and lightning. His left hand is placed on his knee. By this 'mudra'\, gesture all fear for the dangerous struggle for material existence is destroyed. Vyasadeva's neck is marked with the three lines of a conchshell from which only 'sabda brahman' or transcendental sound vibration\, in the form of the main three Vedas and it's limbs\, are coming. Seeing his moon-like face is the sweetest benediction to the eyes. Actually the moon-like face of the best of sages is compared to groups of full moons\, each being completely free form even the smallest blemish. Srila Vyasadeva's lotus mouth and teeth are compared to a new row of pearls which shine forth from inside of a perfect ruby. These pearl-like teeth are seen decorated by a gentle smile surrounded by soft ruby red lips. To hear the speech of the literary incarnation of the Lord at once fills one's heart with transcendental knowledge\, just as when the thousand wells in the form of sages became flooded with answers as the River Sarasvati replenishes the best of wells during the rainy season.\n  \n \n\n As Srila Vyasadeva approached Sripad Madhwacarya with a smile on his face\, his wide lotus eyes looked unblinking at him\, and Vyasa embraced the powerful Sripad Madhwacarya and picked him up off the floor\, clean as one would one's small son. The powerful partial expansion of Mukhyaprana who previously played the mighty Hanuman and Bhima\, felt blessed as his 'guru'\, Srila Vyasadeva\, lovingly embraced him\, and the sages smiled affectionately.\n \n\n Sripad Madhwacarya prayed to his Lord after seeing the sprig of Tulasi leaf and 'manjari' tucked behind the right ear of Vyasa\, "Please don't let me become jealous of this Tulasi sprig and garland of lotus flowers that adorn your body. They are supremely fortunate. Please don't let them rob me of my position of being so close to you. Wherever I am\, always allow me to remain this close to you by always being absorbed in you."\n  \n \n\n Sripad Madhwacarya could now fully appreciate standing there in the shadow of his 'guru'\, that actually Srila Vyasadeva was looking after the welfare of the entire world. Just by a movement of his eyebrows everything was taking place. The creation\, maintenance and destruction of all the three worlds in fact is going on by his design. He is the same Visnu Tattva Lord who maintains as Gunavataras along with Lord Brahma\, the creator\, who was born from a lotus\, and Lord Shiva\, the destroyer of these material worlds. Coming in contact with the material mode of passion\, Prajapati creates under the direction of Lord Visnu. Lord Visnu Himself maintains the three worlds\, the unlimited universes\, in one form sleeping as Karanadakasayi Visnu\, in another form as Garbhadaksayi Visnu lying down on His serpent couch Anantasesa\, and as the localised form of Paramatma seated within the region of the heart of every living being as the witness. Effortlessly Lord Visnu is the Supreme Enjoyer\, and not a blade of grass moves without His knowing or sanction.\n \n\n  \n \n\n srsti-hetu yei murti prapance avatare\n \n\n sei isvara murti 'avatara' nama dhare\n \n\n mayatita paravyome savara avasthana\n \n\n visve 'avatari' dhare 'avatara' nama\n \n\n  \n \n\n "The 'avatara' of incarnation of Godhead\, descends from the kingdom of God for material manifestations. And the particular form of the Personality of Godhead who so descends is called an incarnation\, or 'avatara'. Such incarnations are situated in the spiritual world\, the kingdom of God. When they descend to the material creation\, They assume the name 'avatara'."\n \n\n As such\, there are various kinds of 'avataras'\, such as 'purusavataras'\, 'gunavataras'\, 'lilavataras'\, 'shaktyaveshavataras'\, 'manvantara-avataras' and 'yugavataras' all appearing on schedule all over the universe.\n \n\n  \n \n\n eko devo nitya-lilanurakto bhakta vyapi hrdy antaratma\n \n\n  \n \n\n "The one Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternally engaged in many\, many transcendental forms in relationship with His unalloyed devotees."\n \n\n  \n \n\n Sripad Madhwacarya again drank the nectar of seeing this 'shaktyavesha avatara' of Lord Visnu with a resplendent blue hue like that of the Indranila gem\, personally before him\, standing on a mountain resembling an emerald\, lush and green\, above the natural barrier of the Himalayas. Srila Vyasadeva was wearing tilak of 'urdhva pundra' on the twelve places of His body\, which are glorified throughout the Vedic literatures as being "Two straight lines of Lord Hari's abode are drawn at the root of the nose and reach to the top of the forehead\, the space between which is Lord Vishnu's abode\, and is more than a finger's breadth between and slightly wider at the top. Each of these two straight lines is only the thickness of a grain of rice and the breadth of four fingers. That is the abode or temple of Lord Visnu. Sadaishiva and Brahma reside on either side of the central space and Laxmi stays with Narayan in the middle." Seeing this and the red mark made of the ash of plantain flowers and turmeric mixed together resembling rubies\, between the two lines\, Madhwa relished again and again the sight of Vyasa.\n \n\n "My Lord\, I am so much blessed by seeing You\, Your red matted locks of hair and Your hue which resembles a new monsoon cloud\, full of depth\, with illumination like lightning. Oh my Lord\, though I have recorded many of Your auspicious features and qualities\, actually to describe You\, though counting incessantly the endless good qualities that are emanating from even the nail of the little toe of Your lotus feet\, such is my frustration. Though You are situated far beyond this material world and it's covering\, by Your mercy You have allowed me to approach You. Completely transcending all known boundaries\, You have appeared to me and allowed me to come here to take 'darshan' of You\, just to fulfil the plan chalked out by You. In obeisances\, my body is bent in devotion to You. With folded hands I offer my humble prayers."\n \n\n With His loving outstretched arms\, Vedavyasa\, the son of Parasara Muni\, gently lifted Madhwa up from his prostrated obeisances and again\, with a smiling face\, embraced him.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Madhva Vijay (8:5.). says that Madhwacarya belongs to a class of devotees calle Rju which are the best of the 'devas'. These Rjus are even superior to the Rudras\, who\, by the grace of Vyasa\, were bestowed with knowledge of the Absolute. The Rjus are one hundred in number\, and after being given the post of Vayu\, they become eligible for the post of Brahma. All of the Rjus are equally great\, but they all are superior to Rudra and others.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Madhwa Vijay (7:53.)\, notes that Vyasadeva and Sripad Madhwacarya – Visnu and Vayu – are here compared with the powerful current of the sister of Yamaraja\, Yamuna devi\, whose mighty but gentle waters join the water of a golden river. The mighty waters of the Yamuna are compared to the dark blue lustre of Vedavyasa\, while Sripad Madhwacarya is compared to a golden river who is being embraced by the dark blue waters of Vyasa. Previously these two great personalities embraced before. At that time they were dressed in royal clothing as Krsna and Bhimasena.\n \n\n All the great sages in the assembly at Vyasadeva's 'ashram' honoured Madhwa with great respect. Vyasadeva gave Madhwa a special seat of honour next to Himself and in a very warm way\, the two saviours of degradation of Vaisnava philosophy started to speak of Sripad Madhwacarya's urgent mission. Sri Krsna Dwaipayana Vyasa and Sripad Madhwacarya discussed all kinds of Vedic literatures\, Vedas\, Mahabharata\, the 'Sattvic Puranas'\, Brahma Sutras\, and the Pancaratras\, which are all very dear to Vaisnava.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Madhwa Vijay (8:6.)\, agrees that Lord Narayana Himself directed Madhwa to come to the hermitage of Srila Vyasa.\n \n\n Vedavyasa then took Sripad Madhwacarya to meet with the other form of the Lord residing there. Madhwa Vijay (8:7.)\, describes how the humble Purna Prajna Tirtha – Madhwa saw Lord Narayan\, the original person\, dressed in tree bark with a 'munja' grass belt. His effulgence that surround His beautiful matted locks is compared to being like the best of 'yajnic' fires\, pure\, bright and free from smoke.\n \n\n That Lord\, Who is always Dhira (self controlled and sober)\, and Who is Atmarama (self satisfied)\, Who is Acyuta (infallible and free from the allurements of the sense objects)\, He is free from all defects\, yet with all these opulence's is happy to reside in the hermitage as a recluse and perform penance. "O Adhoksaja Krsna\, Who is unobtainable to those of demerit\, now I stand before You. You are the same Lord of Brahma born of Your lotus navel. By Your potency of Abhimani You made the Mahatattva\, impregnated it by Your energy and placed there goodness\, passion and ignorance. Along with this He created Rudra from Brahma and the tattva of Ahamkara which is threefold – the Vaikarika – Deities\, the Taijasa – entities born of semen\, and the 'tamasa' – the five gross elements (earth\, eater\, fire\, air and sky). From this He made the 'jagad anda'\, the cosmic egg in which reside the fourteen worlds. Lord Narayan\, You create\, maintain and destroy everything\, then effortlessly inhabit those fourteen worlds with varieties of entities – the demigods\, 'gandharvas' – servants of the 'devas'\, humans\, demons who have such masters as Prajapati Brahma\, Mukhyaprana (Vayudeva)\, Garuda\, Rudra and Devendra. Those living entities are given\, according to their natures\, places of residence. There are the 'uttama jivas' or 'nitya siddhas'\, Your pure devotees who only have thoughts for you. The 'nitya samsarins'\, who wander in the cycle of birth and death\, are basically innocent\, but just foolishly follow their lusty desires. And the 'tamoyogyas'\, who are hell bent\, mischievous\, wicked and best avoided\, for their destination is to practically stay in hell for time immemorial."\n \n\n  \n \n\n In Sri Madhwa Vijay (8:14.)\, whilst standing directly in front of Srila Vyasadeva and Lord Narayana at Uttara Badri\, Sripad Madhwacarya pondered over the many forms that Lord Narayana had taken. This is the mystic potency of the Lord for He can be both in the past in one's memory\, and present before one at the same instant\, in full. At any moment with all His retinue around Him acting out the pastimes\, of previous lilas in the eternally present.\n \n\n Madhwa realising this then prostrated himself at the lotus feet of Lord Narayana\, as in his mind went over the endless pastimes of the Lord. He was directly in the association of his 'guru' (Srila Vyasadeva)\, and now had the honour of seeing Lord Narayana face to face. Lord Narayana's affection poured to the pure hearted Madhwa who was sitting\, looking and relishing. He was so honoured to sit near these two whilst offering respectful prostrations\, sitting and standing\, Madhwa dwelt on His Lords.\n \n\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/guru-vyasa-purnima-2026/ CATEGORIES:Other Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Guru-Vyasa-Purnima.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260729 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260730 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T053021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T053039Z UID:10238-1785283200-1785369599@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:Disappearance Day of Sanatana Goswami DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\nSanatana Goswami\, the elder brother of Srila Rupa Goswami\, was the seniormost among the six Goswamis of Vrndavana. \n\n \n\nFor:\nDetailed Biography\, Audio Lectures\, Video Lectures\, Gallery\, Bhajans\, ebooks\, etc. of Sanatana Goswami – www.gaudiyahistory.com\nBhajans by Sanatana Goswami – www.vaishnavsongs.com\n\n\n\n  \n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/disappearance-day-of-sanatana-goswami-2026/ CATEGORIES:Disappearance Day ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Disappearance-Day-of-Sanatana-Goswami.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260730 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260731 DTSTAMP:20260730T041129 CREATED:20251227T053320Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T053320Z UID:10240-1785369600-1785455999@harekrishnacalendar.com SUMMARY:First Month of Caturmasya Begins DESCRIPTION:\n\n\n\n\n First month: No leafy vegetables\, such as spinach\, salads of all types\, cabbages of all types\, kale\, leafy herbs like coriander\, mint\, parsley\, curry and powdered leafy herbs and teas.\n \n\n \n \n\n Caturmasya stands for ‘four months’. It is the period between sayana and uttana ekadasis. The scriptures refer to this period as the duration of Lord Visnu’s sleep in this universe.\n \n\n The main goal of observing Caturmasya is to decrease attachment to material things and to increase devotion to Krishna.\n \n\n  \n \n\n Srila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrta\, “Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grihasta or a sanyasi. The observation is obligatory to all ashramas.” He further explains how to observe the vow:  “This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach (green leafy vegetables of the nature)\, in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt (yogurt used as binding agent for cake is allowed)\, and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk (milk sweets\, milk by-products are fine). One should not eat fish or other non-vegetarian food during the month of Kartik. Masura dal and urad dal being high in protein is also considered non-vegetarian.” Thus during caturmasya one should practice to give up all food intended for sense enjoyment. However\, maha-prasad\, though containing restricted item can be honoured!\n \n\n  \n \n\n It is stated in Hari Bhakti Vilasa 15/113 that ‘after properly praying to the Supreme Lord near Him\, one should properly take a vow to follow the proper rules and regulations and process of caturmasya to increase one’s devotion to Lord Sri Krishna.’\n \n\n  \n \n\n So please take this opportunity and engage yourself yourselves in the service of the Lord with much enthusiasm and make your life sublime.\n \n\n\n\n\n URL:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/first-month-of-caturmasya-begins/ CATEGORIES:Other Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harekrishnacalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/First-Month-of-Caturmasya-Begins.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR