TAVASMI Ashtasakha, Holi, Adhik-mas & 252 Vaishnav

TAVASMIAshtasakha, Holi, Adhik-mas & 252 Vaishnav February 21, 2010

Agenda • Recap of the Gusaiji and Girdharji • Ashtasakha #3: Parmananddas • Ashtasakha #4: Govindswami • Ashtasakha #5: Khumbhandas • World Religions – Christianity • Holi • Adhik mas • 252 Vaishnav Story – Krishna Bhatt

Gusaiji (Vithalnathji) • Born in 1516 at Charnat near Banaras • Shreenathji asked Mahaprabhuji to marry and he married Mahalakshmiji • He is the reincarnation of Krishna • He included variation of Bhog, Raag and Shringaar into the seva of Shrinathji • Some manorath were initiated during Gusaiji's tenure as Guru of the sect. • He made Gokul his headquarters. • ShriNathji remained at Jatipura during His lifetime • Along with the Asta Chhap, Gusaiji was also a composer and wrote many kirtan • He gave Brahma Sambandh to at least 2 jeev/souls a day or else He would not take food.

Paramanandas • Initiated into Pushti Marg by Vallabhacharya • Before that he was known as Parmanand Swami • Born as a Brahmin in the town of Kanauj (State of Uttar Pradesh) in 1494 CE and passed away in 1585 CE • Was an accomplished ‘Bhajan’ Singer. • Spent his life near a pond (named Surbhi-Kund) near the village of Jatipura. • He wrote more than 2000 pad • One of his famous works is Aaj dadhi Meeto Madan Gopal, where he sings about Krishna bal leela (childhood pranks of the Lord) • He was very fond of Shri NavneetPriyaji • His Kirtans are usually sung during Mangala darshan.

Paramanandas Meets Vallabhacharya Vallabhacharya’s water-carrier,‘Kapur Khatri, always wanted to listen to Bhajans sung by the famous Parmanand Swami. On one occasion, Kapur took the opportunity after his duty was done and swam across the river to spend the night listening to Parmanand Swami’s bhajans. Bhajans went on till morning. Kapur came back and resumed his duty. Parmanand Swami went to bed. He dreamed that ‘Navnitpriya Prabhu’ was telling him: “Parmanand! I listened to your Bhajans while sitting in the lap of my water-carrier. Your Bhajans have pleased me a lot. Why do not you come to Shri Vallabh? He will initiate you in PushtiMarg and that way you will be always with Him and me.” Parmanand Swami renamed himself has Parmanand Das because he believed that no one but Krishna can be the “master.” He was then brought to Shrinathji where he spent his life in Kirtan-Sewa

Govindswami - Having lived till he was 80 years old, he wrote over 400 padas. He was especially fond of Shri Dwarikadhishji and loved Hindola (monsoon festival, when the Lord swings on hindolas) and the Aakhamicholi-lila (hide and seek)

Ashta-Sakha #5: Kumbhandasji Born as a Kshatriya in Uttar Pradesh in the year 1469 CE. Lived to be 115 years. Initiated into Pushti Marg by Mahaprabhuji himself. Spent his life in Govardhan Once, Akbar – The Great Emperor of India – heard a Kirtan written by Kumbhandasji. He expressed his desire to listen to Kumbhandasji in person. He sent his men to bring Kumbhandasji to the his capital city called Fatehpur Sikri. Kumbhandas initially refused the invitation. He refused to accept the state vehicle specially sent for him. He walked to Fatehpur Sikri. He was upset as he was snatched away from his beloved ShrijiBawa. He sang “The trip kind of destroyed my footwear and I missed singing for my Shriji. And I have to bow down to The Emperor whose sight brings me unhappiness.” Emperor Akbar became very angry listening to this Kirtan. But he was an understanding man.

World Religions: Christianity • Concept of God: Three different forms (Trinity) • The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit • Jesus was The son of God; God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins • Jesus was fully human and experienced this world in the same way as other human beings of his time • Jesus gave his life on the Cross (at the Crucifixion) so his followers’ sins can be pardoned • Jesus rose from the dead on the third day (The Resurrection) after his Crucifixion • Jesus will appear again on the Day of Judgment, at the End of Time

World Religions: Christianity Creation: God made the world in six days and created the first humans – ADAM, The Man and EVE, The Woman. God rested on the seventh day– The Sabbath Day (Sunday, The Holy Day). Adam and Eve committed the “Original Sin” by eating the forbidden fruit of Apple in the Garden of Eden. This Original Sin inspired Adam and Eve to go against the will of God and to have sex and children. (The Christianity’s concept of The Original Sin holds that the humanity is permanently flawed to commit sins.) Confession: A Christian can confess his/her sins in presence of a Christian Religious Leader and seek forgiveness of Jesus Christ and God. Salvation (An eternal Life with God): Jesus Christ’s sacrifice offered Christians the chance to redeem themselves by returning to God. Salvation can be achieved by God’s Laws and repent sins.

World Religions: Christianity Heaven: It is place where God lives and it is the place where Christians, who has reached Salvation, go after the Day of Judgment (after their death). Day of Judgment: Christians believe that Jesus Christ will return on earth on The Day of Judgment to judge the humans. Last Rites: Christians bury their dead so they can wait for The Day of Judgment. Crucifix: The cross (Crucifix) with Jesus Christ on it symbolizes Jesus Christ’s death by crucifixion. It is the universal symbol of Christianity. A cross without Jesus Christ on it symbolizes Resurrection (becoming alive after death) and Ascension (to Heaven) of Jesus Christ. Saint: Christians who suffered or died for their faith or whose lives were extraordinarily religious or who performed at least three miracles for the benefit of humanity.

Holi Known as the festival of colors Called Dolyatra/Dolotsav (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav ("spring festival") or Dhuleti Day 1 is known as Holika or Chhoti Holi. Day 2 the main day is Dhueleti. Holi celebrates the miraculous survival of Prahlad from being burned to death with the demoness Holika King Hiranyakashyap had a blessing from Lord Vishnu that he could not be killed. He grew arrogant, and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshipping god and start praying to him. His own son Prahlad was a devoted follower of Vishnu. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed.

Holi Finally, he ordered young Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister Holika who could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. Prahlad readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as the shawl flew from Holika, who then was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed, after the shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi Later Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra)

Holi Traditions The spring season is believed to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of natural colored powders has a medicinal significance: the colors are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, and other medicinal herbs. A special drink called thandai is prepared (commonly made of almonds, pistachious,rose petals etc), sometimes containing bhang.

Adhik Mas

TAVASMI Ashtasakha, Holi, Adhik-mas & 252 Vaishnav