Srila Prabhupada Explains the Vaisnava Calendar

March 31, 2006

Srila Prabhupada

Explains the Vaisnava Calendar

Prabhupada: ...Radhastami, and birth, birthday of Srimati Radharani. This day the function is observed by fasting up to twelve noon, and then, uh, offer prasadam to the Deity, and generally in the evening we should hold meeting discussing the Radha-Krsna pastimes, especially the glories of Radharani. Amongst the gopis, her super-excellence..., that is the way of observing. Radharani's... Fasting is up to twelve noon and after that you can take prasadam, feasting.

The next important day is on the 26th, no, 12th September, 12th September, 1970, the advent day of Sri Jiva Gosvami Prabhu. (pause) On that day there are three functions. First of all, Ekadasi, a special Ekadasi called Parsvaika Ekadasi. Then on that day, actually, Ekadasi according to calendar, Ekadasi was to be observed on the 11th September, but because the next day is Vamana Dvadasi.... Vamana Dvadasi means the advent of Lord Vamanadeva. Therefore we have fast., Ekadasi fasting, and we observe two fastings in one day, Ekadasi and Vamanadeva, Vamana Dvadasi. The same process as we observe Ekadasi, and the evening there should be a meeting discussing on the life and work of Srila Jiva Gosvami. He is one of the very important acaryas in our sampradaya, so especially his Sandarbhas should be discussed. If there is no such book, then the following discussion may be, take place. (Srila Prabhupada then outlines many of the important events in the life of Srila Jiva Gosvami)

The next important date is 14th September, which is known as Ananta Caturdasi, and the disappearance day of Srila Haridasa Thakura. Thirteenth September is the appearance day of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and 14th September is Ananta Caturdasi and disappearance day of Haridasa Thakura.... So, this 14th September should be observed fasting, whole day.

Devotee: Fourteenth is the advent of or the demise of Haridasa Thakura?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Devotee: The death, I mean the disappearance.

Prabhupada: Yes, but not for demise of Haridasa Thakura, but because that is Ananta Caturdasi Vrata, the, generally the fasting is observed till evening, up to 5 o'clock. The next day, Visvarupa Mahotsava, feasting.

Devotee: On the 13th of September, Srila Bhaktivinoda's Appearance is there any special observance?

Prabhupada: No, special observance means to discuss about the life and works of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, thats all. Then 26th September, Ekadasi. Then 10th October, Vijaya-dasami, appearance date of Srila Madhvacarya, and the victory day of Lord Ramacandra. So there is no fasting, but in the evening we should celebrate some feasting and discuss about the life and works of Sri Madhvacarya as well as Ramayana incidents where Rama and Ravana fought.

The next day is Ekadasi, that is means 11th October. Then 12th October is Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami, there is no fasting, but we should have discussion of Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami.

(Srila Prabhupada then gives a wonderful outline of the major pastimes of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami till the end of the tape.)