Krishna Seva

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

On December 27th is Safala Ekadashi so will request Kavitabhen this time to tell us some nice story.

Also vaishnavs please add any related articles.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[kavita]

Jai shree krishna

"Safala Ekadashi takes place on Maghshar Vad 11. In Brahmand Puran, Shree Krishna says to Yudhistir, “By following the vratt of Ekadashi, I become easily pleased compared to someone spending thousands of money on performing yagnas and other festivals”.The main deity for Safala Ekadashi is Shree Narayan and poojan of Shree Narayan on this day yields great benediction. That devotee becomes the dearest of all to the Almighty God.The greatness of Safala Ekadashi is encapsulated by the tale of King Maahismat, the ruler of a city named Champavati. He had an elder son called Lumpak. Though the King been very religious, Prince Lumpak was a great sinner and carried out malicious and cruel acts to the subjects of the city. Due to this behavior the King disowned him and exiled him from his kingdom. The prince left the kingdom and lived in a nearby forest. But he still continued his vicious harassments by stealing and killing many people.After many months, the month of Maghshar arrived and it was the eleventh day. In this month, the weather changes and it becomes very cold. Trembling with cold, the prince sat down under a banyan tree. The prince had nothing to cover over his body and became very sick and nearly fell unconscious. During the day, he collected some fruits from nearby trees but could not eat them due to the horrifying sickness. At night he could not sleep and quietly sat down under the tree. With no one to look after him, he waited for the night to pass, looking forward for the morning to arrive. He unknowingly fasted and kept awake in the night (jagran) on this day.On the next early morning, a divine stallion arrived at the banyan tree and a heavenly voice called for the prince and said, “O Prince, due to the vratt which you have followed on Safala Ekadashi, Lord Narayan is pleased and has showered His blessings on you. Go to your father, the King of Champavati, and he will grant you his Kingdom”.Riding on the stallion, the prince instantly regained his health and princely looks. His mind transformed from evil to good; his thinking and acts became divine; he became the choicest devotee of God. Upon arrival at the palace, the King saw a vivid change in Prince Lumpak and learnt of him becoming a devotee of God. The pleased King enthroned the prince with his Kingdom. King Lumpak from that day onwards followed every Ekadashi with full faith an honour.
If one follows the vratt, fasts and stays awake the night (jagran) on Safala Ekadashi, one becomes very close and dearest to God. God delivers, answers the prayers and grants all the wishes of the devotee. Even performing the vratt of Ekadashi unknowingly bestows great benediction in this life and the next."

this story is provided by Vasant Punjabi.
_________________
Jai Shree Krishna
Kavita Bhatia

[shahhetp]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Thanks Kavitaji nice story.
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Jai Shree Krishna
Hetal Shah
Shri Vallabh hi ko bhari bharoso .....................

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Yes Kavitabhen such a nice story. You see within two months of joining krishnaseva.com you can now tell stories so you can imagine if you attend regularly friday classes of Pushtidasji where would you be?

Sitalji and others are already translating each and every word into simple english for all of us so great is the effect of satsang and also it leads us closer to Shri Thakurji.

Lets continue on Safala Ekadashi

Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "O Shri Krishna, what is the name of the Ekadasi
that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pausa
[December-January]? How is it observed, and which Deity is to be
worshiped on that day? Please narrate this to me fully, 0 Janardana O Krishna."

Shri Krishna replied, "O best of kings, because
you desire to hear, I shall fully describe to you the glories of
Pausa-krsna Ekadasi

I do not become as pleased by sacrifice or charity as I do by My
devotee's observance of a full fast on Ekadasi. To the best of one's
ability, therefore, one should fast on Ekadasi the day of Lord Shri Krishna.

O Yudhisthira, I urge you to hear with undivided intelligence the
glories of Pausa-Krsna Ekadasi. As I explained previously, one should
not differentiate among the many Ekadasis. O king, to benefit humanity
at large I shall now describe to you the process of observing
Pausa-Krsna Ekadasi

Pausa-krsna Ekadasi is also known as Safala Ekadasi. On this sacred day
one should worship Lord Narayana, for He is its ruling Deity. One should
follow the previously described method of fasting. Just as among snakes
Sesa-naga is the best, among birds Garuda is the best, among sacrifices
the Asvamedha-yajna is the best, among rivers Mother Ganga is the best,
among gods Lord Visnu is best, and among two-legged beings the brahmanas
are the best, so among all fasting days Ekadasi is the best. O foremost
of kings born in the Bharata dynasty, whoever strictly observes Ekadasi
becomes very dear to Me and indeed worshipable by Me in every way. Now
listen as I describe the process for observing Safala Ekadasi.

On Safala Ekadasi. My devotee should worship Me by offering Me fresh
fruits according to time, place, and circumstance, and by meditating on
Me as the all-auspicious Supreme Personality (Shri Krishna). He should offer Me jambira
fruit, pomegranate, betel, coconut, guava, nuts, cloves, mangoes, and
different kinds of aromatic spices. He should also offer Me incense and
bright ghee lamps, for such an offering of lamps on Safala Ekadasi is
especially glorious. The devotee should try to stay awake all night.

Now please hear with undivided attention as I tell you how much merit
one gets if he fasts and remains awake throughout the entire night. O
best of kings, there is no sacrifice or pilgrimage that yields merit
equal to or better than the merit one gains by fasting on Safala
Ekadasi. Such fasting particularly if one can remain awake and alert all
night long bestows the same merit upon the faithful devotee as the
performance of austerity for five thousand years. O lion among kings,
please hear the glorious history of this Ekadasi.

(This story was already described by Kavitaji.)

Merits of this Ekadashi

O Yudhisthira, one who approaches Me as Lumpaka did will become
completely free of lamentation and anxiety. Indeed, anyone who properly
observes this glorious Safala Ekadasi - even if unknowingly, like
Lumpaka - will become famous in this world. He will become perfectly
liberated at death and return to Vaikuntha. Of this there is no doubt.
Moreover, one who simply hears the glories of Safala Ekadasi, obtains
the same merit derived by one who performs a Rajasuya-yajna and at the
very least he goes to heaven in his next birth.

So vaishnavs be ready to observe the EKADASHI.

Jai Shri Krishna.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[shahhetp]

JSK,

Vasantbhai thanks 4 d wonderfull story. I m njoying it.
_________________
Jai Shree Krishna
Hetal Shah
Shri Vallabh hi ko bhari bharoso .....................

[palna]

Jai Shree Krishna,
Sorry i am a little baffled by this story. By heaven where do you mean? is the point of the story to say if one fasts on this day Thakorji, Shree Krishna bestows his grace on the devotee or does Lord Narayana? in which case is the devotee doing service in order to get moksh? Dont Vaishnavs hope Thakorji gives them Fal. Unconditional love. I was under the impression that by worshiping Thakorjione does not need to ask for things, as he becomes your husband after Bramsabandh so he knows his devotees needs and gives accordingly. No need to ask for things. I am sorry, this has just baffled me a little.....please Vaishnavs explain... By worshiping Lord Narayana is it not Maryada?? OOOOO i am ever so sorry, please please explain.
Many Thanks
JAI SHREE KRISHNA!!!
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Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[Inaxi]

Jai Shree Krishna

Good story and good narration on Ekadashi Bhava. Does anyone know what Shree Mahaprabhuji's thoughts were on Ekadashi?

I am sorry folks I tried hard to find out more on this subject but these days Pushtidasji keeps every thing under lock and key and also out of my sight, this I want to know. So anyone who can put their knowledge on this Tibari, I willbe grateful.

No Palnaji, he doesn't hide the keys inside his Dhoti, I looked there as well, hehehe...
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Jai Shree Krishna
Aham rasam eva labdhiya anandi bhavati |
Inaxi

[palna]

Jai Shree Krishna,
HEHEHEHEHEHEHE Nice to hear from you Inaxi, Toofani crew just isnt as Toofani without you!
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Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[Sunita Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

The word Narayan is also used by Shri Mahaprabhuji in Shri Subhodhiniji it refers to Shri Thakurji.

Firstly I would like to tell that SHREE MAHAPRABHUJI HAD made an AAGNYA to perform EKADASHIS AND 4 JAYANTI (Shri KRISHNA, Shri RAMA, Shri VAMAN, Shri NRUSIH). So it is our DUTY to do this.

EKADASHI is coming from ancient days. Everybody may know the story of AMBARISH MAHARAJ AND MAHARSHI DURVASA. In this story the right way of doing EKADASHI is enlightened. Also it will tell you the MAHATMYA of EKADASHI. From this we can say that SHREE THAKORJI likes the person who does the EKADASHI. I will personally request Vasantji to ellaborate on this under the story of Shri Dwarkesh Prabhu and Raja Ambarish (how he acquired the swaroop) which you all must be reading.

As per other story when SHREE LALITAJI asked SHREE RADHAJI that what is the way to please SHREE THAKORJI then SHREE RADHAJI replied that performing EKADASHI we can please SHREE THAKORJI. So as we are VAISHNAV and our duty is to please SHREE THAKORJI so we have to do EKADASHI. During EKADASHI we have to keep fast.

SHREE MAHAPRABHUJI had made an AAGNYA that “TULSI PATRA PAR RAHE TETALU KHAAVU”

One more story for EKADASHI related to SHREE MAHAPRABHUJI. When he was in JAGANNATH PURI somebody gave him PRASAD on the EKADASHI day Then he only had to hold the PRASAD whole day and was singing kirtans and then on the DHWADASHI he took the PRASAD. Once again I would like to emphasis that every body has to do EKADASHI." --------------------------------------------------
Ekadashi helps us to control our Indriyas once they are under control our mind will not get disturbed.
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Sunita Punjabi

Mero to Aadhar Shri Vallabh ke Charnarvind
Mere gale ko haar Shri Vallabh ke Charnarvind
Mero to shinghar Shri Vithal ke Charnarvind
Ga-o Varamvar Shri Vallabh ke Charnarvind Shri Vithal ke Charnarvind --------!!!!!!!

[palna]

Jai Shree Krishna,
Thank you Sunitaji!!! I didnt know Lord Naryana was another of Thakorji's names. That clears up the confusion. Thanks again
_________________
Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[kavita]

jai sri krishna.

thanks a lot sunitaji for explaining so well. thanks all vaishnavs for your help.
_________________
Jai Shree Krishna
Kavita Bhatia

[Sital]

Jai Shree Krishna

Thankyou Sunitaji, thats a really nice varta. I am a bit confused, you wrote that Shree Mahaprabuji explained its our duty to perform these fasts. But Ive also read that Shree Mahaprabuji said that these days are special so why should we fast on such a beautiful day. So they prepared lots of samagries for Thakorji and then ate the Prasad. Could someone please explain?

Thanks

JSK
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Madhurkomalkant padavali namami
Sital

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Let me explain little bit here actually ekadashis we all have to observe as no where Shri Mahaprabhuji has given agnya to vaishnavs to eat on ekadashis.

(Have heard recently that some Goswami balaks do tell vaishnavs to eat due to health reasons or other emergency situations)

But for Shri Thakurji there are no rules and He does not have to fast so best samagiris must be prepared daily for HIM.

In above example by Sunitaji we also saw that even Shri Mahaprabhuji did not partake the prasad on ekadashi he had to hold it and wait till the next day (DHWADASHI)

Vallabhi vaishnavs do Please correct me if I am wrong.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Well here is the story in details as requested again.!

Once there was a city called Campavati, which was ruled by the saintly
King Mahismata. He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always
engaged in very sinful activities - illicit sex with the wives of
others, gambling, and continual association with known prostitutes. His
evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father, King Mahismata.
Lumpaka also became very critical of the demigods and brahmanas, and
every day he would blaspheme Vaisnavas. At last King Mahismata, seeing
the condition of his son, exiled him to the forest. Out of fear of the
king, even compassionate relatives did not come to Lumpaka's defense, so
angry was the king and so sinful was Lumpaka.

Bewildered in his exile, Lumpaka thought to himself, 'My father has sent
me away, and even my kinsmen do not raise any objection. What should I
do now?' He schemed sinfully and thought, I shall sneak back to the city
under cover of darkness and plunder its wealth. During the day I shall
stay in the forest, and at night I'll return to city.' So thinking,
Lumpaka entered the dark forest. He killed many animals by day, and by
night he stole valuable items from the city. The city-dwellers
apprehended him several times, but out of fear of the king they left him
alone. They thought that it must have been the sins of his previous
births that had made him lose his royal facilities and act so sinfully.

Though a meat-eater, Lumpaka would also eat fruits every day. He resided
under an old banyan tree that happened to be very dear to Lord Vasudeva.
Indeed, many worshiped it as the god of all the trees in the forest. In
due course of time, while Lumpaka was doing so many sinful and
condemnable activities, Saphala Ekadasi arrived. On the eve of Ekadasi,
Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep because of the severe
cold and his scanty bedclothes. The cold not only robbed him of all
peace but almost killed him. By the time the sun rose, his teeth were
chattering and he was almost comatose, and all during the morning of
that day, Ekadasi, he could not awaken from his stupor.

When midday of Saphala Ekadasi, arrived, the sinful Lumpaka finally came
to and managed to rise up from his place under the banyan tree. But with
every step he stumbled to the ground. Like a lame man, he walked slowly
and hesitantly, suffering greatly from hunger and thirst in the midst of
the jungle. So weak was Lumpaka that he could not kill a single animal
that day. Instead, he was reduced to collecting whatever fruits had
fallen to the ground. By the time he returned to the banyan tree, the
sun had set.

Placing the fruits on the ground next to him, Lumpaka began to cry,
'What should I do? Dear father, what is to become of me? O Sri Hari,
please be merciful to me and accept these fruits!' Again he was forced
to lie awake the whole night without sleep, but in the meantime the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Madhusudana, had become pleased with
Lumpaka's offering of the forest fruits, and He accepted them. Lumpaka
had unwittingly observed a full Ekadasi, fast, and by the merit he
reaped on that day he regained his kingdom with no further obstacles.

Listen, O Yudhisthira, to what happened to the son of King Mahismata
when but a fragment of merit sprouted up within his heart.

As the sun rose beautifully on the day following Ekadasi, a handsome
horse approached Lumpaka and stood next to him. At the same time, a
voice suddenly spoke from out of the clear blue sky: 'This horse is for
you, Lumpaka! Mount it and swiftly ride out to greet your family! O son
of King Mahismata, by the mercy of Lord Vasudeva and the strength of the
merit you acquired by observing Saphala Ekadasi, your kingdom will be
returned to you without any further hindrances. Such is the benefit you
have gained by fasting on this auspicious day. Go now to your father and
enjoy your rightful place in the dynasty.'

Upon hearing these celestial words, Lumpaka mounted the horse and rode
back to the city of Campavati. By the merit he had accrued by fasting on
Saphala Ekadasi, he had become a handsome prince once more and was able
to absorb his mind in the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Hari. In other words, he had become My pure devotee.

Lumpaka offered his father, King Mahismata, his humble obeisances and
once more accepted his princely responsibilities. Seeing his son
decorated with Vaisnava ornaments and tilaka, King Mahismata gave him
the kingdom, and Lumpaka ruled unopposed for many, many years. Whenever
Ekadasi came, he worshiped the Supreme Lord with great devotion. And by
the mercy of Sri Krsna he obtained a beautiful wife and a fine son. In
old age Lumpaka handed his kingdom over to his son just as his own
father, King Mahismata, had handed it over to him and then went into the
forest to serve the Supreme Lord with controlled mind and senses.
Purified of all material desire, he left his body and returned home,
back to Godhead, attaining a place near the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna.

O Yudhisthira, one who approaches Me as Lumpaka did will become
completely free of lamentation and anxiety. Indeed, anyone who properly
observes this glorious Saphala Ekadasi - even if unknowingly, like
Lumpaka - will become famous in this world. He will become perfectly
liberated at death and return to Vaikuntha. Of this there is no doubt.
Moreover, one who simply hears the glories of Saphala Ekadasi, obtains
the same merit derived by one who performs a Rajasuya-yajna and at the
very least he goes to heaven in his next birth.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

"Shri Vallabh Shri Vithal Sukh-kari naa-me nishpap thai nur-nari,
------Nitya Lila nitya nautam shruti na pame par."----

[Kesha]

Jai shri krushna........ I have a question. In the story it is said that fasting and doing jagran whole night pleases our thakurji. But what if one only fasts strictly on ekadashis and not able to do jagran. However i agree one should try to do even jagran. But what if it is not possible all the times. Does our thakurji becomes pleased if we observe fast strictly n not jagran. What is shri Vallabhs aagya about doing jagran on ekadashis. Plz can anyone throw some light