Janmastami fast

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We recently had a very lengthy discussion on the Vaisnava Calendar forum

about fasting days and the pros and cons of the calculations in different

parts of the world. If insterested those texts can be downloaded from pamho.

 

> Nectar from Hari Bhakti Vilas Tika Dikdarshini Tika

> of Sanatan Goswami and Gopal Bhatta Goswami on Janmastami:

> BHADRE BHAGAVATO JANMA DINE KARYO MAHOTSAVAH

> VISESENA MAHA PUJAM VRATA PURNENA VAISNAVAIH

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/246 from KALIKA PURANA Vyasadeva speaks)

> One should perform a festival on the birthday of Lord Hari, which falls

> in Bhadrapada (August - September) month and on a Dvadasi day of Sravana

> (July- August). It is the duty of all Vaisnavas to fast on these days and

> to do specific great worship of the Supreme Lord.

> PRAHLADA ADAIS CA BHUPALAIH KRTA JANMASTAMI SUBHA

> SRADDHAYA PARAYA VISNOH PRITAYE KRSNA VALLABHA

> PRAJAPATY ARKSA SAMYUKTA SRAVANASYA ASITA ASTAMI

> VARSE VARSE TU KARTAVYA TUSTY ARTHAM CAKRA-PANINAH

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/267,268 from SKANDA PURANA)

> Great kings such as Prahlada had fasted on the most dear of day of Lord

> Sri Krsna named Janmastami, the birthday of Lord Krsna, to develop intense

> love for Krsna. One should certainly fast on such an auspicious day of

> Lord Krsna's birth named Krsnastami every year to please Lord Sri Krsna

> Who holds a disk in His hand.

> YE NA KURVANTI JANANTAH KRSNA JANMA ASTAMI VRATAM

> TE BHAVANTI MAHA PRAJNA VYALA MAHATI KANANE

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/275 from SKANDA PURANA)

> Oh greatly intelligent, any person, even with knowledge of Krsna's

> birthday (Janmastami), who does not fast, he takes his next birth as a

> snake in a thick forest.

> SAMPARKEN API YAH KURYAT KASCIT JANMASTAMI VRATAM

> VISNU LOKAM AVAPNOTI SO'PI PARTHA NA SAMSAYAH

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/295 from SKANDA PURANA)

> If someone fasts on Janmastami day, with devotion, he attains the abode

> of Lord Sri Visnu.

> TASYAM VISNU TITHAU KECID DHANYAH KALIYUGE JANAH

> YE'BHYARCAYANTI DEVESAM JAGRATAH SAMUPOSITAH

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/307 from BRAHMA PURANA Suta Gosvami speaks)

> This day (Janmastami day) removes all kinds of sins. Specifically in

> Kali-yuga, if someone fasts on this day, remains awake overnight and

> worships Lord

> Sri Hari properly, those people are worshipable.

> IDAM EVA PARAM SREYA IDAM EVA PARANTAPAH

> IDAM EVA PARO DHARMO YAD VISNU VRATA DHARANAM

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/312 from BRAHMA PURANA)

> Fasting on the day of Lord Hari is the most auspicious thing, the topmost

> austerity and the topmost meritorious action.

> SAMPURNA CA ARDHARATRE TU ROHINI YADI LABHYATE

> KARTAVYA SA PRAYATNENA PURVA VIDDHAM VIVARJAYET

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/370 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)

> If on the eighth day of the dark fortnight at midnight there is Rohini

> constellation, on that day one should fast, but if it is combined with the

> seventh

> day, it should be given up in all circumstances.

> DVAU BHUTA SARGAU LOKE'SMIN DAIVA ASURA EVA CA

> VISNU-BHAKTI PARO DAIVA ASURAS TAD VIPARYAYAH

> (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 15/396 from AGNI PURANA and VISNU DHARMA)

> There are two kinds of living entities created. One is divine and the

> other is demonic. The devotees of the Supreme Lord Visnu are said to be

> divine personalities. Those who are not His devotees are addressed as

> demonic.