SRIMATI JAHNAVA MATA --- Mohini Ekadasi

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SRIMATI JAHNAVA MATA

 

Sri Surjadas Sarekhela was a resident of Shaligram. He had five brothers -

Damodar, Jagannath, Gauri das, Krsna das and Nrsimha Caitanya. His father's

name was Sri Kamsari Misra. His mother's name, Sri Kamala devi. He received

the title "Sarakhela" as he used to keep the accounts for the king of Gaur

desh. His two daughters were named Sri Vasudha and Sri Jahnava, who was the

youngest.

 

In Gaur-ganoddesh-dipika it is stated that they are the expansions of Baruni

and Revati in Brindaban and Surjadas Sarakhela, whose body effulgence is

like the sun, is an expansion of Kakudmir, the king of Raivat. The two Lords

Gauranga and Nityananda were very affectionate to him. Seeing that his two

daughters had reached the full bloom of their youth, he began to contemplate

their marriage. Thinking in this way, he fell asleep and in his dream he saw

that in a very happy mood he was presenting his two daughters to Nityananda

Prabhu. Having seen such a wonderful dream, he began to float in an ocean of

bliss.

 

In the morning when he awoke, he told his dream to one brahmana friend of

his, "I saw in my dream that Nityananda Prabhu is none other than Baladeva.

His bodily effulgence was shining in all directions and his body was

decorated with various shining ornaments. On either side of him my two

daughters appeared as Baruni and Revati. Now if I cannot give my daughters

in marriage to Nityananda Prabhu then there will be no peace for me." Having

confided in his friend in this way, he sent him to the house of Srivas

Pandit in Navadwip. That brahmana came to Navadwip very quickly and found

that Nityananda Prabhu was living at Srivas Pandit's house. The brahmana

explained everything in detail to Srivas Pandit who later at the proper time

divulged all of this news to Nityananda Prabhu. Lord Nityananda having

assured the brahmana that he would fulfill the desire of Surja das, sent him

back to Shaligram. Advaita Acarya as well as Srivas Pandit were very happy

to have heard this news and urged that the marriage take place as soon as

possible. The brahmana, in the meantime having returned to Shaligram,

delivered this auspicious news to Surja das who was overjoyed that his dream

would now come true.

 

In the village of Borgachi lived the son of Raja Hari Hora, Sri Krsna das,

who was a very dear devotee of Nityanan¼da Prabhu. He offered to bear all of

the expenses for the wedding and to have it conducted at his house. With

this in mind he requested Nityananda Prabhu to kindly come to his house, and

after bringing him there he began to make the necessary arrangements for the

wedding. Srivas Pandit, Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Candrasekhar, Sri Murari

Gupta and many other devotees all arrived and began Harinam Sankirtan. Surja

das Pandit's brother, Sri Krsna das soon arrived at Bordachi and then

Nityananda Prabhu and the other devotees accompanied Him to Shaligrama. When

Surjadas saw that the devotees along with Nityananda Prabhu had arrived, in

great happiness he came out to greet them and then ushered them into his

house where he offered his dandavats to Lord Nityananda.

 

Surja das fell down at the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, his eyes brimming

with tears of ecstatic love. He caught hold of His two lotus feet and wanted

to offer some prayers but he could not express anything due to being

overcome by ecstatic emotions. Lord Nityananda smiled sweetly and embraced

him in great love. Surjadas was always absorbed in intense happiness. Who

can understand his inner self.

 

Seeing these loving pastimes of his brother, Gauri das lost his patience and

felt great bliss within himself. Then, after worshipping the two lotus feet

of Lord Nityananda, he offered his two daughters in marriage to him.

 

Thus the marriage ceremony was very auspiciously performed and Nityananda

Prabhu remained at Shalagram with his two newly wedded wives for a few days.

Thereafter he came to Sri Krsna das's house at Borgachi, where he remained

for a couple of days. Next He came to Navadwip. Along with his two wives He

offered His obeisances at the feet of Saci Mata. Saci Ma was extremely

pleased to see them and she showed a great deal of affection to the new

brides.

 

The other Vaishnavas also began to show them great affection. Then taking

leave of Sacimata, Nityananda came to Advaita Acarya's house in Santipur.

Sri Sita Thakurani began to float in the ocean of bliss after seeing Vasudha

and Jahnava devi. Taking them in her lap she was very affectionate to the

new brides. After remaining there for a few days Nityananda Prabhu came to

Uddharon Datta Thakur's house at Saptagram at his insistent invitation.

There they all engaged in a festival of sankirtan for a few days after which

Nityananda Prabhu came to Khardaha. [bhakti-Ratnakar 12th Taranga]

 

After the disappearance of Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Srivas

Pandit and various other associates of Sri Goursundar, three especially

empowered manifestations of the compassion of the Lord, Mahaprabhu, namely

Srinivas Acarya, Narottama Thakur Mahasay and Shyamananda Prabhu continued

to flood the land with Hari Nam Sankirtan. Sri Nityananda Prabhu's sakti Sri

Jahnava Mata, was especially requested by these three Acaryas to be present

at the celebrated festival which was conducted by them at Kheturigram, under

the patronage of Narottama Thakur Mahasoy's cousin, Raja Santosh Datta.

Present with her were Sri Krsna das Misra (her uncle), Mineketan Ramdas,

Murari Caitanya, Jnana das, Sri Paramesvari das, Balarama das, Sri Brindavan

das Thakur, and other dear devotees of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.

 

First she came to her uncle Gauri das Pandit's temple at Kalna where she was

nicely received by Hrdoy Caitanya Prabhu. Here she cooked for the two Lords,

Nitai-Gauranga, and in the evening they had a festival of sankirtan. When

she came to Navadvip and realized that she wouldn't be able to see Sri Saci

Mata any more, she was very sad and cried. Then Sripati and Srinidhi came

and took her to their house. But again she was plunged into grief due to the

pangs of separation at not being able to see Srivas Pandit and Malini devi.

At Santipur Sri Acyutananda and Gopal tried to

console her in the absence of Advaita Acarya and Sita Thakurani. Then she

came by way of Kantak Nagar to Teliya Bhudari gram where Sri Govinda Kaviraj

received her with all respect. The next day the party set out for Kheturi.

When they reached the banks of the Padma river they found that Raja Santosh

Datta had already made arrangements for crossing the river. From the

opposite bank palanquins were waiting to take them to Kheturi.

 

After presiding over the festival of Kheturi, Ma Jahnava decided to go to

Brindavan. One day when she was bathing in the Jamuna, a small black hand

grabbed the end of her cloth as she was getting out of the water. When she

looked, however, there was no one there. Then Gopinath spoke to her, "I want

to come and stay with you. When you're taking bath in the Ganga one day I'll

come and join you."

 

After passing some days in great happiness in Sri Brindaban Dham, Sri

Jahnava Mata set out on the path back to Gaurdesh. First she came to

Kheturi, and then to Bhudari gram where she arranged the marriage of Bor

Ganga das with Sri Hemalata, the daughter of Sri Shyamdas Cakravarti

(brother of Bansi das). After the marriage, Sri Iswari entrusted the worship

of Shyamsunderji to Borgangadas. Then she came to Ekcakra, the birthplace of

her worshippable Lord. From there she passed through Kantak Nagar, Jajigram,

Navadwip, Ambika kalna, Saptagram, before finally arriving back at Khardaha.

 

As she was bathing in the Ganges one day, something touched her body in the

water. Then she lifted that object out of the water and beheld the

enchanting form of Sri Gopinathji, while tears of love streamed from her

eyes. This Deity is at present being worshipped by the descendant of Ganga

devi, the daughter of Nityananda Prabhu, at Jirat, Hugli. There is a rail

station at Jirat between Bandel and Kalna station. From the Jirat station

one should proceed by rickshaw to "Gopinath Tala".

 

"Having fallen into the ocean of material existence I am completely

distraught and filled with anxiety. Floating in this ocean, without any

refuge, I am trying to find a shore; but without any success, I am losing

all hope of ever finding it. What activity will bring me there? or what

knowledge will bring me there? Conducting some fruitive sacrifices, engaging

in some mystic yoga process or conducting austerities - none of these have

any power or effect. I am getting very weak and I cannot swim much longer.

Now in this extremely dangerous situation, will no one come to save me?

Alas! To make matters worse, having caught sight of the crocodile of worldly

affairs, I am petrified with fear and the current of lust is always churning

the water. I can barely keep my head above the water, the winds carrying the

results of activities performed in previous lives, is blowing and making the

water so choppy. I am losing my mind and now I am simply crying frantically.

I can't see anyone who can get me out of this ocean of woes. O my dear Sri

Jahnava devi, please have compassion on your servant and bless me with some

of your divine qualities. Please extend me the rope of your mercy and

alleviate this intense pain that I am experiencing.

 

"I have taken shelter of the boat of your lotus feet and I have full faith

that you can carry me across this ocean.

 

You are the divine energy of Lord Nityananda and the bestower of Krsna

bhakti. Please bless me at your feet, which can bestow all one's desires.

You have already delivered so many despicable creatures, now today here is

one more destitute and hateful wretch, come to your lotus feet." [Kalyan

Kalpataru]

 

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Mohini Ekadasi

 

The Following is Mohinii EkAdasii: from the KUrma PurANa

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh JanArdana, what is the name of the

EkAdasii that occurs during the light fortnight (sukla paksha) of the month

of VaisAkha (April-May) ? What is the process for observing it properly?

Kindly narrate all of these details to me.”

 

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh blessed

son of Dharma, what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now

describe to you. Please hear Me attentively.

 

“Lord Ramachandra asked Vasishtha Muni, ‘Oh great sage, I would like to hear

about the best of all fasting days – that day which destroys all kinds of

sins and sorrows. I have suffered long enough in separation from My dear

SitA, and so I wish to hear from you about how My suffering can be ended.’

 

“The sage Vasishtha replied, ‘Oh Lord RAma, Oh You whose intelligence is so

keen, simply by remembering Your name one can cross the ocean of the

material world. You have questioned me in order to benefit all of humanity

and fulfill everyone’s desires. I shall now describe that day of fasting

which purifies the whole world.

 

“ ‘Oh Rama, that day is known as VaisAkha-sukla EkAdasii, which falls on

DvAdasii. It removes all sins and is famous as Mohinii EkAdasii. NOTE

..

“ ‘Truly, Oh dear Rama, the merit of this EkAdasii frees the fortunate soul

who observes it from the network of illusion. Therefore, if You want to

relieve Your suffering(s), observe this auspicious EkAdasii perfectly, for

it removes all obstacles from one'’ path and relieves the greatest miseries.

Kindly listen as I describe its glories, because for one who even just hears

about this auspicious EkAdasii, the greatest sins are nullified.

 

“ ‘On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named

BhadrAvati, which was ruled by King DyutimAn. Oh RAma, that steadfast,

truthful, and highly intelligent king was born in the dynasty of the Moon

(Chandra-vamsa). In his kingdom was a merchant named DhanapAla, who

possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money. He was also very

pious. DhanapAla arranged for lakes to be dug, sacrificial arenas to be

erected, and beautiful gardens to be cultivated for the benefit of all the

citizens of BhadrAvati. He was an excellent devotee of Lord Vishnu and had

five sons: SumAna, DyutimAn, MedhAvii, Sukriti, and Dhrishthabuddhi.

 

“ ‘Unfortunately, his son Dhrishthabuddhi always engaged in greatly sinful

activities, such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar

degraded persons. He enjoyed illicit sex, gambling, and many other varieties

of acts aimed at gratifying the senses. He disrespected the demigods

(devas), the brahmins, the forefathers and other elders of the community, as

well as his family’s guests. The evil-hearted Dhrishthabuddhi spent up his

father’s wealth indiscriminately, always feasting on untouchable foods and

drinking alcohol to excess.

 

“ ‘One day DhanapAla kicked Dhrishthabuddhi out of the house after he saw

him walking along the road arm-in-arm with a known prostitute. From then on

all Dhrishthabuddhi’s relatives were highly critical of him and distanced

themselves from him also. After he had sold all of his inherited ornaments

and become destitute, the prostitute also abandoned him and insulted him

because of his poverty.

 

“ ‘Dhrishthabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry. He thought,

“What should I do ? Where should I go ? How can I maintain myself ? “ He

then began to steal. The king’s constables arrested him, but when they

learned who it was, and that his father was the famous DhanapAla, they

released him. He was caught and released in this way many times. But at

last, sick of his arrogance and total disrespect for others, and their

property, the ill-mannered Dhrishthabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and

then beaten. After whipping him, the king’s marshals warned him, “Oh evil

minded one ! There is no place for you in this kingdom……….!!!”

 

“ ‘However, Dhrishthabuddhi was freed from his tribulation by his father and

immediately thereafter entered the dense forest. He wandered here and there,

hungry and thirsty and suffering greatly. Eventually he began killing the

jungle animals, the lions, deer, boars, and even wolves for food. Always

ready in his hand was his bow, always on his shoulder was his quiver full of

arrows. He also killed many birds, such as chakoras, peacocks, kankas, doves

and pigeons. He unhesitatingly slaughtered many species of birds and animals

to maintain his sinful way of life, the sinful results accumulating more and

more each day. On account of his previous sins, he was now immersed in an

ocean of great sin that was so relentless that it appeared that he could not

get out.

 

“ ‘Dhrishthabuddhi was always miserable and anxious, but one day, during the

month of VaisAkha, by the force of some of his past merit he chanced upon

the sacred Ashrama of KauNDinya Muni. The great sage had just finished

bathing in the Ganges River, and water was dripping from him still.

Dhrishthabuddhi had the great good fortune to touch some of those droplets

of water that were falling from the great sage’s wet clothing. Instantly

Dhrishthabuddhi was freed of his ignorance, and his sinful reactions were

reduced. Offering his humble obeisances to KauNDinya Muni, Dhrishthabuddhi

prayed to him with joined palms; ”Oh great brAhmana, please describe to me

some of the atonement I may perform without too much endeavour. I have

committed so many sins in my life, and these have now made me very poor.”

 

“ ‘The great rishi replied, “Oh son, listen with great attention, for by

hearing me your life will change, and you will become free of all your

remaining sins. In the light fortnight of this very month, VaisAkha

(April-May) there occurs the sacred Mohinii EkAdasii, which has the power to

nullify sins as vast and weighty as Mount Sumeru. If you follow my advice

and faithfully observe a fast on this EkAdasii, which is so dear to Lord

Hari, you will be freed from all the sinful reactions of many, many births.”

 

“ ‘Hearing these words with great joy, Dhrishthabuddhi promised to observe a

fast on Mohinii EkAdasii according to the sage’s instructions and direction.

Oh best of kings, Oh RAmachandra Bhagavan, by fasting completely on Mohinii

EkAdasii, the once sinful Dhrishthabuddhi, the prodigal son of the merchant

DhanapAla, became sinless. Afterwards he achieved a beautiful transcendental

form and, free at last of all obstacles, rode upon the carrier of Lord

Vishnu, Garuda, to the Supreme abode of the Lord.

 

“ ‘Oh RAmachandra, the fast day of Mohinii EkAdasii removes the darkest

illusory attachments to material existence. There is thus no better fast day

in all the three worlds than this.’ ”

 

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “…and so, Oh Yudhishthira, there is no place of

pilgrimage, no sacrifice, and no charity that can bestow merit equal to even

one sixteenth of the merit a faithful devotee of Mine obtains by observing

the Mohinii EkAdasii. And He who hears and studies the glories of Mohinii

EkAdasii achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity.

 

 

 

Thus ends the narration of the glories of VaisAkha-sukla EkAdasii, or

Mohinii EkAdasii, from the Kurma PurANa.