TAVASMI Damodardas, Vasant Panchmi, Holi, Bhagvad Gita

TAVASMI Damodardas, Vasant Panchmi, Holi, Bhagvad Gita February 6, 2011

Agenda Tavasmi CD – 5 shloks Manglacharan Recite Yamunastak Yamunastak Meaning In Depth Damodardas Harsaniji Navnitpriyaji Bhagvat Gita Chapter 3 Vasant Panchmi Holi ManglaCharan translation

Yamunastak Meaning:“Tatastha Nav Kanana, Prakat Mod Pushpambuna” • At the banks of Yamuna River, “van and kanan” are two jungles • “tatastha” – ghat (thakrani, vishram, etc.) • “van” – where humans such as tapasvi’s live • “kanan” – where hardly you find humans living • As the wind blows, the “pushp” (flowers) from both the jungles fall into the river to make it fragrant like rose water

Yamunastak Meaning “Suraa Sursu Poojitaha, Smara Pituh Shri Yambibhrateem” • 2 kinds of Vraj devotees worship Shri Yamunaji • “Sur” – Ones that have danya bhav (no pride against God). Ideally, this is how we should all be • “Asur” – Ones that have maan bhav (pride against God) They want to wait until God comes to them first • Yamunaji accepts both of these kinds of devotees worship • “Smara Pitah” – God’s swaroop that resides in devotee’s hearts so that they can do bhakti • “Shri Yambibhrateem” – Shri Yamunaji is just like Shri Krishna and Shri Mahaprabhuji acknowledges this

Yamunastak Meaning Summary of the 1st Shlok • We cannot try to go over every word that is in the Yamunashtak, but we can get the gist of it. • For us to just know who Shri Yamunaji is and worship her with all our bhakti is the greatest thing. • Each of the shloks tell us about Shri Yamunaji’s aishwariya’s • The 1st one tells us that if there is anyone that is capable of providing us with sakal siddhi’s then it is one and only Shri Yamunaji

Yamunastak Meaning :“Kalind Girimastake, Pata Damand PoorojjwalaVilas Gamanollasat, Prakatgand ShailonnataSaghoshagantidantura, Samadhiroodh DolottamaMukund Rati Vardhinee, Jayati Padma Bandhoho Suta” • “Mukund Rati Vardhinee” – Anyone who prays to God hopes to achieve these 3 things • “Gati” – How close you are to God is your true progress • “Rati” – Increase your love towards God every day • “Mati” – Submitting your brain to God • All this Shri Yamunaji is capable of giving us • Yamunaji is alavkik and Shri Mahaprabhuji knows Her importance whereas we don’t

ShriDamodardasHarsaniji • ShriDamodardasji is the 1stVaishnav of Pushtimarg (i.e. 1st one of the 84 Vaishnavas to receive brahmsambandh mantra). • During his 1stparikrama when ShriMahaprabhuji was passing through Maharashtra (near Wardha), ShriDamodardasji left his worldly belongings and joined him. • ShriMahaprabhuji used to tell Damodardasji - "Damla, this path has been started for you only!".

Shri Damodardas Harsaniji • Similarly, ShriDamodardasji had always thought of ShriMahaprabhuji as Thakurji and that is why he never had separate Seva for ShriThakurji. • This is the reason why ShriDamodardasji is unmatched & his contribution to the sampradaya can never be measured. • We celebrate DamodardasHarsanijiUtsav (Birth day) on February 7th.

Shri Damodardas Harsaniji • When ShriMahaprabhuji was thinking of taking “LeelaPravesh,” at that time ShriGopinathji and ShriGusainji were too small to understand Pushtimarg and for that reason ShriMahaprabhuji taught all the principals and bhagvadlilas of Pushtimarg to Damodardasji. • When ShriMahaprabhuji did LeelapraveshShriGusainjiwas only 15 years old. It was Damodardasji who gave proper guidance of the principles & seva to ShriGusainji. It is said that even after his LeelapraveshShriMahaprabhuji used to give Darshan to Damodardasji every three days and explain the principles of Pushtimarg. • In this way without Damodardasji's vision & guidance we would not have been able to receive the complete information on Pushtimarg.

Story of Shri Damodardas Harsaniji • Once in Jatipura Shri Mahaprabhuji was resting in Damodardasji's lap. At that moment Shrinathji came running down from Mount Goverdhan. Damodardasji became worried that the sound of Shrinathji’s payal would wake up Shri Mahaprabhuji, so he stopped Shrinathji midway by extending his arm. Damodardasji was such a devout disciple of Shri Mahaprabhuji that he could stop the Lord himself for Mahaprabhuji's sake!

Overview of Nidhi Swaroops • Nidhi=asset; Swa=self; roop=image/form (image of the self) or images of Krishna. Only a diety can create images of the self without losing his own original form • There were more swaroops, but Gusainji handed 1. Shree Nathji (Shree GoverdhanNathji)2. Shree Navnitpriyaji3. Shree Mathureshji4. Shree Vithalnathji5. Shree Dwarkadhishji6. Shree Gokulnathji7. Shree Gokulchandramaji8. Shree Balkrishnaji9. Shree MadanMohanji10. Shree Mukundraiji11. Shree Kaliyanraiji;12. Shree Natwarlalji 1. Shree Mathureshji2. Shree Vithalnathji3. Shree Dwarkadhishji4. Shree Gokulnathji5. Shree Gokulchandramaji6. Shree Balkrishnaji7. Shree MadanMohanji *Shreenathji and Shree Navnitpriyaji

Navneetpriyaji • Shri Navneetpriyaji , also known as “the one who loves fresh butter”, is the child form of Krishna crawling on the floor. He is shown with a ball of butter in his right hand. • Shri Navneetpriyaji was found in theYamuna river near Brahmand Ghaat in Gokul by a Kshatriya woman and presented to Shri Vallabhacharya. • This Swaroop was worshipped by Shri Gusainji in Gokul and he presented it to his son Shree Girdharji. • On major festival, Shri Navneetpriyaji sits with Shreenathji, but also enjoys His own separate Haveli just next to Shreenathji. • Shri Gusainji explains. “Shri Navneetpriyaji is the form of Child Krishna that resides with mother Yashoda. Shri Krishna as Shri Navneetpriyaji plays like and infant in front of her.”

Navneetpriyaji • The Navneetpriyaji swaroop is gaur (fair) complexion. He has makhan (cream) in His right hand (DakshinHasta) and the left (VaamHasta) hand is rested on the floor. • The Swaroop sits with the folded left leg. With eyes bow down, anjaan (mascara) in the eyes, "Nupur" in the legs and "Kada" in His hands, he is a baby swaroop who walks or rather drags Himself on His knees. • This swaroop depicts the age of six month. "Navnit" means fresh Makhan (cream) and "Priya" means one who loves. This swaroop loves makhan. He is known as "Niravaran". Niravaran means the one who does not have any clothes (vastra).

Navneetpriyaji • On major festival, Shri Navneetpriyaji sits with Shreenathji, but also enjoys a separate Haveli just next to Shreenathji. • Shri Gusainji explains. “Shri Navneetpriyaji is the form of Child Krishna that resides with mother Yashoda. Shri Krishna as Shri Navneetpriyaji plays like and infant in front of her.” • Balkrishnaji was singing a bhajan and swinging the palna of Navneetpriyaji when a wave of motherhood came over him Gusainji was doing seva of Navneetpriyaji when Shreenathji came and gave him a badhai and asked for a gift. What event was this for?

Navneetpriyaji’s Journey • Navneetpriyaji was taken on a VrajVihar (taken back to visit Vraj) in Oct 2006 to Nov 2006. This was performed by TilkayatRakeshbawa. What is the tilkayat?

Summary of Chapter 3 • Everyone must engage in some sort of activity in this material world. But actions can either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from the law of karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of the self and the Supreme.

Key Concepts • Dharma: Duty • Karma: Action • GyanivsAgyani: Knowledge vs Ignorance • Kalyan: Welfare • Marg: Path • Two types of people that try to reach God in different ways: • Through Action: Mahirmukhi: Karma Yogi • Through Knowledge: Antarmukhi: Gyan Yogi • Lust, Selfishness, Anger, Temper, Desire  Sin  Destroy Knowledge • Perfect Man controls their indriyas and knows his options. Senses  Mind  Reason  Soul Indriya  Maan  Buddhi  Athma

Discussion Questions • Is Knowledge better than action? • In today’s day and age, can a perfect man exist? Who might be a perfect man? • “Society is not a part of you—you are a part of society.” What do you think of this? Can we influence society as an individual?

VasantPanchmi VasantPanchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with verve and new sense of optimism. VasantPanchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. (Deepavali is dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and NavaratriDurga is dedicated primarily to Kali, goddess of strength, might and power.) MaghSud 5 (5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magh) is the day of VasantPanchami. Hindus all over celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. This Panchami is also known as Saraswati Day. It is believed that this day is Saraswati’s birthday. Yellow colour is given special importance on this day. On VasantPanchami, Saraswati is dressed in yellow garments and worshipped (with Puja, Havan etc.). Men and women try to wear yellow clothes on this day. Sweets of yellowish hues are exchanged with friends/family. Some people feed Brahmans on this day. Pitri-Tarpan (ancestor worship) is done on this day. The god of love (Kamdev) is also worshipped. Children are taught their first words on this day (as an auspicious beginning to learning). Schools, colleges etc., (places of learning) organize special worship of Saraswati.

VasantPanchmi (Contd…) Hinduism has taken into account special significance of seasons and interwoven that with religious festivals e.g., Makar Sakranti, Vasant Panchami. People generally feel inclined to worship the presiding deity of the family (Ishta Devta or Devi) according to the individual’s faith and desires. Also, people generally tend to accumulate wealth and power. During the Kali Yuga (present age), the pursuit of money (wealth, power, name and fame) is everything to most people. Money is accorded god-like status. But men of principle (men who can discriminate) worship goddess Saraswati for spiritual enlightenment. In their opinion, there can be no comparison between the king and the learned (spiritually advanced). The king is honored within his kingdom, whereas the learned is respected (or worshipped) everywhere. Saintly people and people inclined towards spiritual progress attach great importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati.

Vasant Panchmi (Contd…) The vehicle assigned to each of the three goddesses also symbolically represent their special powers. The white swan of Saraswati is symbolizing Sattwa Guna (purity and discrimination). The owl of Lakshmi and the lion or tiger of Durga symbolize the other two gunns (Rajas and Tamas). The first faint signals of the forthcoming festival of Holi manifest at Vasant Panchami. Seasons undergo change. The coming of springtime is heralded. Trees are displaying new shoots. New life is evident in the woods and fields. Nature decorates Mango trees with new blossoms. Wheat and other crops enliven with evidence of new life. Vasant Panchmi in the year 2011 falls on Tuesday, February 8th

Holi and Dhuleti Day 1, or the full moon day, is known as Holi. Day 2, the main day, is called Dhuleti. Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of Spring Dhuleti is known as the festival of colors. It is also called Dolyatra/Dolotsav (DoulJatra) or Vasant-Utsav ("spring festival") or Dhuleti. Holi: Day 1 is celebrated by lighting bonfires to commemorate the burning of Holika, and the incredible escape of Prahlad Dhuleti: Day 2 is celebrated by throwing colored powder and colored water at each other Holi and Dhuleti are mostly observed in north India. They are celebrated with a special enthusiasm at Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsnar for the close association of these towns with Lord Krishna.

Holi Significance Holi celebrates the miraculous survival of Prahlad from being burned to death with the DemonessHolika King Hiranyakashipu, king of demons, had been granted 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 son, Prahlad, was a devoted follower of Vishnu, despite his father’s threats. All of Hiranyakashipu’s attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlad to sit on a bonfire made on the lap of Hiranyakashipu’s sister and Prahlad’s aunt, Holika. Holika could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl that could prevent fire from affecting the person wearing it. Prahlad readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe.

Holi Significance When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as the shawl flew away from Holika. Holika was then burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed, after the shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi Complying with the boon granted to Hiranyakashipu, Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha/Narshingadev (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/Dhuleti Traditions At nighttime on Holi, people create bonfires in community grounds. People throw in twigs, dried leaves, and branches of trees to create the fires As the bonfires burn, people perform folk songs and drums around the bonfires and ask the blessings of the holy fire. People offer the first fruits, coconuts and harvest to the holy fire The Holi festival encourages the feeling of universal brotherhood. There is no differentiation between friends and enemies on Holi. Everyone wishes every other person and plays Holi with him/her. On the next day (Dhuleti), children, men and women form separate groups with their friends and family and visit each other's houses, smearing each other's faces and bodies with 'aabir‘ (red) and 'gulal‘ (pink) colors and spurting colored water on people using 'pichkaris' and water balloons.

Holi/Dhuleti Traditions The spring season is believed to cause viral fever and cold. The bonfires on Holi and the playful throwing of natural colored powders on Dhuleti have a medicinal significance The ashes from the bonfires and the colors are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, and other medicinal herbs are believed to have healing properties A special drink called thandai is prepared (commonly made of almonds, pistachios, rose petals, etc.), sometimes containing bhang

Shri Govardhan Nath Paad Yugalam ShriGovardhanNathpaadyugalam, haiymgavinpriyam…nityamShriMathuradhipamsukhakaram, ShriVithhaleshammuda… ShrimadDwarvatish-Gokulpati, ShriGokulenduvibhum, Shrimanmanthmohanmnatvaram, ShriBalkrushnmbhaje.!1! Let me always worship the bliss-bestowing lotus feet of Shrinathji; ShriNavnitPriyaji who enjoys fresh butter, ShriMathuradhishji who is a constant source of joy, and ShriVitthalnathji. ShriDwarikadhishji, ShriGokulnathji and ShriGokulChadramaji are also worthy of worship, as is ShriMadanMohanji who charms even the god of love - Manmatha, and let me forever sing the praises of our Lord ShriNatavarlalji and ShriBalkrishnaji.

Shri Govardhan Nath Paad Yugalam ShrimadVallbhVithhalouGiridharam,GovindrayabhidhamShrimBalkrushna-Gokulpati, nathamRaghuanamtatha EvamShriYadunayakam, kilGhanshyamam chatandrashjankalindimswagurumgirimswiyamprabhuchasmaray …..!2! Let us bring before our mind's eye the swarup of ShriMahaprabhuji, ShriGusaiji, ShriGiridharji, ShriGovindrayji, ShriBalkrishnaji, ShriGokulnathji, ShriRaghunathji, ShriGhanshayamji, who are the progeny of our ShriVallabh. ShriYamunaji, ShriGurudev (our spiritual guide), ShriGirirajji, the Thakorji of our Gurdev and our own Tharkorji.

Next Meeting:Sunday, February 20th Chintan and Isha’s house • Tavasmi DVD will be watched • Next NidhiSwaroop • BhagvatGita Chapter 4 • Ekadashis in February • Basics of PushtiMargcontd • New Topic: The Whys! • www.tavasmidc.org :: For previous PPT and other information

Appendix: GitaShloks • Chapter 3. Karma-yogaTEXT 9 • yajnarthatkarmano 'nyatraloko 'yam karma-bandhanahtad-artham karma kaunteyamukta-sangahsamacara • SYNONYMS • yajna-arthat--only for the sake of Yajna, or Visnu; karmanah--work done; anyatra--otherwise; lokah--this world; ayam--this; karma-bandhanah--bondage by work; tat--Him; artham--for the sake; karma--work; kaunteya--O son of Kunti; mukta-sangah--liberated from association; samacara--do perfectly. • TRANSLATION • Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.

Appendix: GitaShloks • Chapter 3. Karma-yogaTEXT 13 • yajna-sistasinahsantomucyantesarva-kilbisaihbhunjatetetvagham papaye pacantyatma-karanat • SYNONYMS • yajna-sista--food taken after performance of yajna;asinah--eaters; santah--the devotees; mucyante--get relief from; sarva--all kinds of; kilbisaih--from sins; bhunjate--enjoy; te--they; tu--but; agham--grievous sins; papah--sinners; ye--those; pacanti--prepare food; atma-karanat--for sense enjoyment. • TRANSLATION • The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

Appendix: GitaShloks • Chapter 3. Karma-yogaTEXT 21 • yadyadacaratisresthastat tad evetarojanahsayatpramanamkurutelokas tad anuvartate • SYNONYMS • yat--whatever;yat--and whichever; acarati--does he act; sresthah--a respectable leader; tat--that; tat--and that alone; eva--certainly; itarah--common; janah--person; sah--he; yat--whichever; pramanam--evidence; kurute--does perform; lokah--all the world; tat--that; anuvartate--follow in the footsteps. • TRANSLATION • Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

Appendix: GitaShloks • Chapter 3. Karma-yogaTEXT 27 • prakrtehkriyamananigunaihkarmanisarvasahahankara-vimudhatmakartahamitimanyate • SYNONYMS • prakrteh--of material nature; kriyamanani--all being done; gunaih--by the modes; karmani--activities; sarvasah--all kinds of; ahankara-vimudha--bewildered by false ego; atma--the spirit soul; karta--doer; aham--I; iti--thus; manyate--thinks. • TRANSLATION • The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.

TAVASMI Damodardas, Vasant Panchmi, Holi, Bhagvad Gita