Krishna Seva

[palna]

Jai Shree Krishna Vallah Vaishnavs,
Badhai Badhai for the season start of Vasant Punchmi!! And a question to ponder over:

Who was born in Dwarka on this day and does this personality have any connection with Vasant Punchmi??
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Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[Nirupa]

Jai Shree Krishna

Koti koti Badhai to all the vaishnavs.
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Jai Shree Krishna
Darshan Abhilasi
Nirupa

[Sital]

Jai Shree Krishna

Koti Koti Badhai to all vaishnavs. Gosh Palnaji, you and Nirupaji for sure don’t ask easy questions. Tried finding somewhat vis-à-vis this question, just to find that it is the spring season festival and Saraswatiji’s birthday. Could not find anything else, would appreciate it if another vaishnav could enlighten me concerning this query.

Thanks

JSK
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Madhurkomalkant padavali namami
Sital

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Vadai to all pyara vallabhi vaishnavs on this lovely occassion. There are so many lovely kirtans by Ashta Sakha for this festive season hope vaishnavs will add those on this Satsang tibari.

Today also starts the festive celeberation of Shri Gusainji's Vivah utsav.

Now Palnaji, I may be wrong but is the answer in the story described correct or is is someone else you are talking about who was born in Dwarka.

There was a great devotee, Prahlad. He was the son of Hiranyakashyapu who hated God. Despite the persecution by his father, Prahlad did not stop chanting and remembering the name of God. Hiranyakashyap tried various methods of killing his son but Prahlad came away unharmed every time. Prahlad's aunt Holika had a boon that fire cannot kill her, and thus she offered to sit in the fire with her nephew seated in her lap. But, it was the wicked Holika who was destroyed in the fire, and not Prahlad. To celebrate the occasion, people build a huge bonfire on the eve of Holi.

On the following day, they celebrate Holi by throwing and smearing colored powder and squirting colored water on one another. The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in March.

In Braj, Holi festivities begin from Barsana Holi which is about 8 days earlier than the actual Holi. It is the second largest festivity of Barsana when thousands and thousands of people arrive from around Braj to watch the most spectacular and amazing style of ‘Barsana Holi celebration.’ After that, Holi is celebrated in different styles in various places of Braj at different dates. The lanes of Vrindaban become red as all the people play Holi with colored powder and water sprayed from pichkaris (special squirts). Everyone is covered in color. Traditional songs called rasiya are sung on Holi. Sweets are distributed and friends and family come together to celebrate fostering social harmony.

On Holi, we chant Holi pads and rasiyas that describe the Holi leelas of Radha Krishna.

This is also the day when Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhuji appeared on the earth planet, so it is one of the most auspicious days for the devotees of Radha Krishna.
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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,

Yes Sitalji you guessed it correct too! here is the story

This 'Vasant Panchami' is also known as Saraswati Day, because it is believed that on this day the goddess was born.

Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, art and music is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus — the symbol of true knowledge — in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white — the symbol of purity — and rides on a white swan that symbolises Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. Saraswati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography — the consort of Manjushri.
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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,

There is more

Magh Shukla 5 (Vasant Panchami):

Today's Utsav is also known as 'Madana Panchami' and 'Shree Panchami'. Today is the appearance day of Shree Pradyumnaji (Son of Shree Krishna and Rukminiji)

Why Vasant Utsav is celebrated before 40 days ?

Ans: Any season's transition period is for 40 days and after that the season comes in full bloom. Thus, As 'Vasant' i.e. Spring is known as the King of All seasons, the utsav starts before 40 days. Also in pushtimarg, more importance is given to the arrival of any ustav. The Kirtans like

1. Madan Panchami: Aaj Madan Mahotsav Radhe -- Parmanand dasji
2. Shree Panchami Param Mangal Din Madan Mahotsav Aaj --- Harijivandasji
3. Aaj Shubhag deen Vasant Panchami jasumati Karat Badhai -- Haridasji
4. Aayo Rituraaj Aaj Panchami vasant Saaj -- Chitta swami

Ten days for Rajas Leela, Ten days Tamas Leela, Ten Days Satvika leela and last ten days for Nirguna Leela.

1. First Ten days: Vasant Khel
2. Next Ten Days: Dhammar Khel
3. Next Ten days: Faag Khel
4. Last Ten Days: Hori Khel
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Vasant Punjabi.

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

[Sital]

Jai Shree Krishna,

Thanks vasantji, for the lovely stories. Very interesting to know that the 40 days are segregated into various leela’s. Could you please let me know what Dhammer and Faag means?

Many Thanks
JSK
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Madhurkomalkant padavali namami
Sital

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Sitalji here we go

Vasant Khel:

During these days, the main Ras is Shant. Thus, only slight khel is done to the yugal swaroop. The Yugal Swaroop enjoys the natural beauty during Vasant i.e. Spring Season.

Dhammar Khel:

The group of Holi players gathers and goes to take the most active member of Holi in different houses of Vraj. In whatever state and situation that person may be, that groups captivates that member and forcibly includes him in the group.

Faag Khel :

In this, all Gwal Balaks in the groups, dancing and singing, enters into every streets of Vraj and whoever comes on the way, colors him/her and enjoys the utsav of Holi. These days, the pichakari is also used for enjoyment. Pichkari is used to sprinkle the colored water on other people.

Hori Khel

In Hori khel, two groups are formed. One of Gwal Balaks and the other Gopi jans. The Play begins in the Chowk of Vraj outside the vilage. Both groups tries to snatch any of the items owned by the other and the other group tries to regain that item. In this way, Shree Gopijans use to snatch away the Flute (Murli) of Shree Thakurji and then the group of Thakurji use to plan several ways to regain that flute from Gopijans.

Courtesy:- vallabh kankroli thanks to them.
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Vasant Punjabi.

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

[palna]

Jai Shree krishna,
Wow what wonderful satsang, Thank You very much Vasantji for the postings and you got the question correct. I was refering to the birth of Pradyumanji. Can anyone elaborate on his swaroop? I'll give you a big clue.....Cupid or rather Kamdev
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Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

Palnaji what a small question but regret it has such a long story.

Bhav Bhavna by Shree Harirai Mahaprabhuji

Since, divine 'kamadeva' appeared in this season, Spring season and 'Kamadeva' are considered as best friends. Thus, whenever 'kamadeva' goes to invoke the sentiments of Ras, he first establishes the season of Spring and the First Khel of Vasant Panchami is celebrated. Ras appeares when sthaayi bhav with two different Vibhavas i.e. Uddipan and Alambana Vibhava and Vyabhichari (Sanchari bhavas) mixes together in bhakta's heart for Shree Krishna and thus creates the different Anubhavas in heart of Bhakta due to which the bhav becomes tasteful to be tasted by Shree Krishna and Bhakta too. This is called Ras.

The khel of Vasant Panchami creates the Ras.

During these days, the poojan of Alauikik Kaam is done. The Adhyatmik Kaam was destroyed by Mahadevji but the Adhidaivik Kaam was accepted by Shree Thakurji. Shree Krishna is the swami of 'kamadeva' and thus is also known as 'Manmath Mohana'

Story from Shrimad Bhagwad.

It is said that Cupid, who is directly part and parcel of Lord Vasudeva and who was formerly burned to ashes by the anger of Lord Siva, took birth in the womb of Rukmini begotten by Krsna. This is Kamadeva, a demigod of the heavenly planets especially capable of inducing lusty desires. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, has many grades of parts and parcels, but the quadruple expansions of Krsna--Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha--are directly in the Visnu category. Kama, or the Cupid demigod, who later on took his birth in the womb of Rukmini, was also named Pradyumna, but he cannot be the Pradyumna of the Visnu category. He belongs to the category of jiva-tattva, but for special power in the category of demigods, he was a part and parcel of the super prowess of Pradyumna. That is the verdict of the Gosvamis. Therefore, when Cupid was burned into ashes by the anger of Lord Siva, he merged into the body of Vasudeva, and in order to get his body again, he was begotten by Lord Krsna Himself; he was directly released from his body in the womb of Rukmini and was born as the son of Krsna, celebrated by the name Pradyumna. Because he was begotten by Lord Krsna directly, his qualities were most similar to those of Krsna.

There was a demon of the name Sambara who was destined to be killed by this Pradyumna. The Sambara demon knew of his destiny, and as soon as he learned that Pradyumna was born, he took the shape of a woman and kidnapped the baby from the maternity home less than ten days after his birth. The demon took him and threw him directly into the sea. But, as it is said, "Whoever is protected by Krsna, no one can kill; and whoever is destined to be killed by Krsna, no one can protect." When Pradyumna was thrown into the sea, a big fish immediately swallowed him. Later on this fish was caught by the net of a fisherman, and the fish was later on sold to the Sambara demon. In the kitchen of the demon there was a maidservant whose name was Mayavati. This woman had formerly been the wife of Cupid, and had been called Rati. When the fish was presented to the demon Sambara, it was taken charge of by his cook, who was to make it into a palatable fish preparation. Demons and the Raksasas are accustomed to eat meat, fish and similar non-vegetarian foods. Similarly, other demons, like Ravana, Kamsa and Hiranyakasipu, although born of brahmana and ksatriya fathers, used to take meat and flesh without discrimination. This practice is still prevalent in India, and those who are meat and fish eaters are generally called demons and Raksasas.

When the cook was cutting the fish, he found a nice baby within the belly of the fish, and he immediately presented him to the charge of Mayavati, who was an assistant in the kitchen affairs. This woman was surprised to see how such a nice baby could remain within the belly of a fish, and the situation perplexed her. The great sage Narada then appeared and explained to her about the birth of Pradyumna, how the baby had been taken away by Sambara and later on thrown into the sea, and so on. In this way the whole story was disclosed to Mayavati, who had formerly been Rati, the wife of Cupid. Mayavati knew that she had previously been the wife of Cupid; after her husband was burned into ashes by the wrath of Lord Siva, she was always expecting him to come back again in the material form. This woman was engaged for cooking rice and dhal in the kitchen, but when she got this nice baby and understood that he was Cupid, her own husband, she naturally took charge of him and with great affection began to bathe him. Miraculously, the baby very swiftly grew up, and within a very short period he became a very beautiful young man. His eyes were just like the petals of lotus flowers, his arms were very long, down to the knees, and any woman who happened to see him became captivated by his bodily beauty.

Mayavati could understand that her former husband, Cupid, born as Pradyumna, had grown into such a nice young man, and she also gradually became captivated and lusty. She was smiling before him with a feminine attractiveness, expressing her desire for sexual unity. He therefore inquired from her, "How is it possible that first of all you were affectionate like a mother, and now you are expressing the symptoms of a lusty woman? What is the reason for such a change?" On hearing this statement from Pradyumna, the woman, Rati, replied, "My dear sir, you are the son of Lord Krsna. Before you were ten days old, you were stolen by the Sambara demon and later on thrown into the water and swallowed up by a fish. In this way you have come under my care, but actually, in your former life as Cupid, I was your wife; therefore, my manifestation of conjugal symptoms is not at all incompatible. Sambara wanted to kill you, and he is endowed with various kinds of mystic powers. Therefore, before he again attempts to kill you, please kill him as soon as possible with your divine power. Since you were stolen by Sambara, your mother, Rukmini-devi, has been in a very grievous condition, like a cuckoo bird who has lost her babies. She is very affectionate toward you, and since you have been taken away from her, she has been living like a cow aggrieved over the loss of its calf."

Mayavati had mystic knowledge of supernatural power. Supernatural powers are generally known as maya, and to supersede all such supernatural power there is another supernatural power which is called mahamaya. Mayavati had the knowledge of the mystic power of mahamaya, and she delivered to Pradyumna this specific energetic power in order to defeat the mystic powers of the Sambara demon. Thus being empowered by his wife, Pradyumna immediately went before Sambara and challenged him to fight. Pradyumna began to address him in very strong language, so that his temper might be agitated and he would be moved to fight. At Pradyumna's words, the demon Sambara, being insulted, felt just like a snake feels after being struck by one's leg. A serpent cannot tolerate being kicked by another animal or by a man, and he immediately bites the opponent.

Sambara felt the words of Pradyumna as if they were a kick. He immediately took his club in his hand and appeared before Pradyumna to fight. In great anger, he began to beat Pradyumna with his club, just as a thunderbolt beats a mountain. The demon was also groaning and making a noise like a thundering cloud. Pradyumna protected himself with his own club, and eventually he struck the demon very severely. In this way, the fighting between Sambarasura and Pradyumna began very seriously.

But Sambarasura knew the art of mystic powers and could raise himself in the sky and fight from outer space. There is another demon of the name Maya, and Sambarasura learned many mystic powers from him. He thus raised himself high in the sky and began to threw various types of nuclear weapons at the body of Pradyumna. In order to combat the mystic powers of Sambarasura, Pradyumna remembered another mystic power, known as mahavidya, which was different from the black mystic power. The mahavidya mystic power is based on the quality of goodness. Understanding that his enemy was formidable, Sambara took assistance from various kinds of demoniac mystic powers belonging to the Guhyakas, the Gandharvas, the Pisacas, the snakes and the Raksasas. But although the demon exhibited his mystic powers and took shelter of supernatural strength, Pradyumna was able to counteract his strength and powers by the superior power of mahavidya. When Sambarasura was defeated in every respect, Pradyumna then took his sharpened sword and immediately cut off the demon's head, which was decorated with a helmet and with valuable jewels. When Pradyumna thus killed the demon, all the demigods in the higher planetary systems began to showered flowers on him.

Pradyumna's wife, Mayavati, could travel in outer space, and therefore they directly reached his father's capital, Dvaraka, by the airways. They passed above the palace of Lord Krsna and began to come down as a cloud comes down with lightning. The inner section of a palace is known as antahpura (private apartments). Pradyumna and Mayavati could see that there were many women there, and they sat down among them. When the women saw Pradyumna, dressed in bluish garments, with very long arms, curling hair, beautiful eyes, a smiling reddish face, jewelry and ornaments, they first of all could not recognize him as Pradyumna, a personality different from Krsna. They all felt themselves to be very much blessed by the sudden presence of Krsna, and they wanted to hide in a different corner of the palace.

When the women saw, however, that all the characteristics of Krsna were not present in the personality of Pradyumna, out of curiosity they came back again to see him and his wife, Mayavati. All of them were conjecturing as to who he was, for he was so beautiful. Among the women was Rukmini-devi, who was equally beautiful, with her lotus-like eyes. Seeing Pradyumna, she naturally remembered her own son, and milk began to flow from her breast out of motherly affection. She then began to wonder, "Who is this beautiful young boy? He appears to be the most beautiful person. Who is the fortunate young woman able to give birth to this nice boy in her womb and become his mother? And who is that young woman who has accompanied him? How have they met? Remembering my own son, who was stolen even from the maternity home, I can only guess that if he is living somewhere, he might have grown by this time to be like this boy." Simply by intuition, Rukmini could understand that Pradyumna was her own lost son. She could also observe that Pradyumna resembled Lord Krsna in every respect. She was struck with wonder as to how he acquired all the symptoms of Krsna. She therefore began to think more confidently that the boy must be her own grown-up son because she felt much affection for him, and, as an auspicious sign, her left arm was trembling.

At that very moment, Lord Krsna, along with His father and mother, Devaki and Vasudeva, appeared on the scene. Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, could understand everything, yet in that situation He remained silent. However, by the desire of Lord Sri Krsna, the great sage Narada also appeared on the scene, and he began to disclose all the incidents--how Pradyumna had been stolen from the maternity home and how he had grown up and had come there with his wife Mayavati, who formerly had been Rati, the wife of Cupid. When everyone was informed of the mysterious disappearance of Pradyumna and how he had grown up, they all became struck with wonder because they had gotten back their dead son after they were almost hopeless of his return. When they understood that it was Pradyumna who was present, they began to receive him with great delight. One after another, all of the members of the family--Devaki, Vasudeva, Lord Sri Krsna, Lord Balarama, and Rukmini and all the women of the family--began to embrace both Pradyumna and his wife Mayavati. When the news of Pradyumna's return was spread all over the city of Dvaraka, all the astonished citizens began to come with great anxiety to see the lost Pradyumna. They began to say, "The dead son has come back. What can be more pleasing than this?"

Srila Sukadeva Gosvami has explained that, in the beginning, all the residents of the palace, who were all mothers and stepmothers of Pradyumna, mistook him to be Krsna and were all bashful, infected by the desire for conjugal love. The explanation is that Pradyumna's personal appearance is exactly like Krsna's, and he was factually Cupid himself. There was no cause of astonishment, therefore, when the mothers of Pradyumna and other women mistook him in that way. It is clear from the statement that Pradyumna's bodily characteristics were so similar to Krsna's that he was mistaken to be Krsna even by his mother.
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Vasant Punjabi.

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

[palna]

Jai Shree Krishna,
Thank you so very much for the quick response and the wonderful rendition of Pradyumanji's tale. I am sure many other vaishnavs will enjoy it also. Kamdev, Cupid or Pradyumanji's magic works in lokik terms and as we know from Gopi Geet it was Shree Shyamsunder who defeated lokik Kamdev. Also the varta indicates that though the women of Dwarka were inclined towards Pradyumanji's physical beauty he did not have Shree Krsna's personality or character. Even though Rukminiji was awe struck with his beautiful features she instantly thought of her supposed dead son and began to feel motherly towards this unknown personalty therefore lactated.
Many thanks again Vasantji for relaying the story.
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Prem Bandhan Ajab Gajab, Brahmaganth sami aa ganth, na tutai na chutai

Palna na Koti Koti Jai Shree Krishna

[Sital]

Jai Shree Krishna

Thanks Vasantji, for answering my question and narrating the beautiful stories, enjoyed them immensely. Very interesting to know that Lokik kaamdev has a wife called Rati.

Thanks Palnaji for your elaboration, the posting illustrates that no material cherub could compare with the Supreme Spiritual Cupid who is our Pyara Shree Krushna.

JSK
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Madhurkomalkant padavali namami
Sital

[Pushtidas]

Jai Shree Krishna

Wow lovely flow. Here is Pushtimarg view on Vasant Panchami.

Magh Shukla 5 (Vasant Panchami):

Vasant Panchami always falls on Magh Shukla Panchami (fifth day of Magh Shukla month). This Utsav is also known as 'Madana Panchami' and 'Shree Panchami'. Although this date is not Vasant rutu (spring season) as spring is in the month of Vaishakh month during Mesh Sankrati. So why do we take this Utsav as Vasant Panchami? This answer is answered by the legend of Kamdev (the Cupid) who was destroyed by Shree Mahadevji (Lord Shiva). Kamdev was promised a new life and he was reborn as Pradyumnaji. He became son of Shree Krishna and His wife Rukhminiji. Kamdev is the king of Vasant rutu and when he was born as Shree Pradyumnaji on Magh Shukla 5 so in Vraj this date is celebrated as Vasant Panchami (Panchami means the 5th day). As Kamdev depicts spring, the Vasant is the season where Kamdev instigates new “leaf” in nature. No Vasant no Kamdev and visa versa. So Vasant Panchami is the appearance day of Shree Pradyumnaji (Son of Shree Krishna and Rukhminiji).

Why Vasant Panchami is celebrated before 40 days?

In Veda, season’s transitions are set to have transition period for 40 days and after that the season is said to be in full blossom. So as Vasant i.e. spring is known as the king of all seasons, the Utsav for Vasant rutu starts 40 days earlier. In Pushtimarg, more importance is given to the arrival of Utsav and starting of the Utsav will fall between 10 to 40 days prior to the day when Utsav day is designated. The first 10 days are known as the “fore-play” of Vasant games or Hadva-khel days. In Pushtimarg, there are two main leelas and these two leelas are Bal-leela and Kishore-leela. The Bal-leela and Kishore-leela bhava are very well shown in seva shringar. The head shringar depicting Bal-leela will have Kuleh as head gear and Pagha will depict the Kishore leela bhava. And Vasant Panchami is mostly a romantic adherence month, its leela is also adorn with Kishore bhava and Gopis take this bhava as sudha (pure) prem (love) bhava and hence the Vasant rutu is well known as the romantic month, the King of Love month. As the dominant bhava is Kishore-bhava, obviously, during this month in shringar no Kuleh is worn by Thakorji, but Pagha takes Kishore-bhava prominence. This bhava dictates the 41 days of Pagha and thus during 41 days of Vasant, Thakorji do not wear Kuleh as His head gear. There are many Kirtans which describes Vasant bhava, and here are some popular Kirtans:

1. Madan Panchami: Aaj Madan Mahotsav Radhe -- Parmanand dasji
2. Shree Panchami Param Mangal Din Madan Mahotsav Aaj --- Harijivandasji
3. Aaj Shubhag deen Vasant Panchami jasumati Karat Badhai -- Haridasji
4. Aayo Rituraaj Aaj Panchami vasant Saaj -- Chitta swami

Bhava Bhavna by Shree Hariraiji Mahaprabhuji (Shiksha patri)
Shree Hariraiji has written a lot on Vasant Panchami and Kamdev. We will touch some of the main points covered by Aapshree. In His Bhava Bhavna Shree Hariraiji described the divine relation of Kamdev and Vasant (spring) season. Spring season and 'Kamdev' are considered as best partners. Both will never exist without each other and thus, whenever 'Kamdev' is ready to invoke the sentiments of Ras-leela, he likes to set scene for romantic interlude and to set romantic atmosphere he seeks help from King of seasons, Vasant. Between these two prominent dignitaries, they establish the season of spring and the season is divided into four enticing and romantic games (khel). These khel (games) are:

1. First Ten days: Vasant Khel
2. Next Ten Days: Dhammar Khel
3. Next Ten days: Faag Khel
4. Last Ten Days: Holi Khel

1. Vasant Khel:

Vasant Khel is for ten days and Kaamdev devices a romantic sthaavi (foreplay) bhava known as sthavi-ras bhava. One has to have Vibhavas (romantic) feelings to qualify for Vasant Ras. The Vibhavas feeling then creates that lusty Ras known as Uddipan and Alambana. These two bhava are used by Kaamdev to entice souls to lose the dignified indrios or the senses that creates the liliaceous lusty desire. When Krishna takes over the form of Kaamdev, these Uddipan and Alambana ras-bhava are set as manorath and Vaibhava and all the Bhakta who gets indulged in this Vaibhava are known as Spiritual Vaibhavi. This Spiritual Vaibhava depicted as “Sanchari bhava”. All this bhava taken under umbrella of Pushti bhava and is then classified as Ras. So Uddipan-Ras and Alambana-Ras are sthaavi bhava of Vasant month infused by Kaamdev and this bhava is also infused in a similar way by Krishna in Vraj. His bhava has the effect of phototropism, that is, (the growth of plants towards a source of light is known as phototropism), and the growth of love of Bhaktas towards Krishna is known as Uddipan and reverse effect where Krishna is enticed by Gopis is known as Alambana. So the game of Kaamdev in lokik and alokik atmosphere is really a process of love-synthesis, very similar to photosynthesis where by the process by which a green plant uses sunlight to build up carbohydrates reserves, Kaamdev uses Vasant to process Uddipan and Alambana bhava. The alokik bhava becomes very tasteful its Ras is enjoyed both by Krishna and the Bhakta.
The khel of Vasant Panchami creates the Ras. Vasant Khel is for 10 days and the Hori Khel is for 1 month. The ten days of Vasant khel infuses10 different bhavas and all these bhavas are mainly recompensed by four youthadhi-bhavas. During these days, the poojan of alokik Kaam is done. The Adhyatmik (physical existence of Kaamdev) Kaam was destroyed by Mahadevji but the Adhidaivik Kaam was accepted by Shree Krishna (Thakorji). Shree Krishna is the swami (the King) of 'Kaamdev' and thus is also known as 'Manmath Mohana'.(Manmath= the process where the heart is enticed and then it is “math” that is to bond with Mohana, Mohana= the king who has the ability to be Kaamdev in alokik entity (spiritual world)). So when Thakorji takes the form of alokik Kaamdev, then he is known as Manmath Mohana.

From Vasant Panchami to Dole-Utsav we have forty-one days and these days are divided into segments of ten days. So the four segments appreciates as 40 days and the one day which is a residual of the multiple of tens is classified as the dole day, an Utsav known as DOLE-UTSAVA. As explained above the four segments are really four Utsav and are celebrated with the bhavas of each yuthas (these are four groups of Shree Swaminijis). These forty days are also known as and celebrated as ten days for Rajas Leela, ten days Tamas Leela, ten Days Satvika leela and last ten days for Nirguna Leela

In these forty days we also have colours which depict these Uthadhi group’s colours. This colour bhava is as following:

1. Kesar (Orange) colour is of Swaminijis bhava.
2. Gulal or lal (red) colour is of Lalitaji’s bhava.
3. Abir or swait (white) colour is Chandravaliji’s bhava.
4. Chova or Shyam (dark) colour is Yamunaji’s bhava.

The colour powders as described above, becomes part of this Utsav and theses colours are then becomes part of khel.
On the day nine darshan (glimpse) of Shreeji are done as the bhava of Navdha Bhakti, The Utsav for the appearance of Shree Pradyumnaji is celebrated after the Rajbhog. Aarti is done in the second darshan during Rajbhog.

In Vasant Utsav after Rajbhog a Vasant Adhivasan ceremony is performed. In this ceremony, in haveli, a poojan of 'Vasant Ghat' (Ghat=pot (kalash)) is performed. The Vasant pot is covered with Red colored cloth or has been decorated with spring colours. After Vasant sloka, Yamuna-jal (holy water) is then filled in this Ghat and then five branches from different plants or trees are planted. Mostly these trees or plants are the greeneries which mostly sprouts in the month. The five branches or plants are mango buds, date, Barley, berries (Bor), and then the inner layer of Ghat is garnished with Sarso (mustard). When the decorative Vasant Kalash is ready the poojan of this pot is done and then Darshan is opened to all the vaishnavs.

Everything, every Utsav and every element in seva or pooja has a symbol and these symbolic elements are known as bhava in Pushtimarg. And that is why these five branches indicate different bhava.
These bhava are also connected to Kaamdev who is also the God of Love. The bhava element is connected to his bow and arrows. The bow is made of sugarcane with honeybees on it and his arrows are decorated with five kinds of flowers with different fragrance. Its string is amazingly made of honeybees. The bees hold each other in such a way that the head of the bee behind gets tucked in with the bee in front and so on. This way they become a strong string. Kaamdev being the King of love and also has Vasant, the King month, as his companion, also uses the season elements of spring. These elements are also his companion, and they are cuckoo, parrot, humming-bees and that romantic gentle breeze.

Five arrows of Kaamdev:

Now let us look at the arrows of this lokik Cupid. What do these arrows entail? These arrows are not made of metal but again the green nature bestows its grace on these arrows. The arrow is made out of thin green branches and the arrow tips are empowered by Vasant-flowers. Flowers like Aravinda (lotus), Ashoka (hellebore origin flowers), Nava Malika (New Jasmine), and Neela Utpala (Blue Bells) Chutam (mango flowers)
These flowers are supposed to be the exotic flowers whose fragrance infuses romance and because of this element, these arrows are also known as arrows of Manmadha. These arrows when hits its victim, it generates effects according to the arrow and the flower it carries as its arrow head.

If you caste your eyes on the pages of Gopi-Geet, in the introduction of this lovely rendering pages on this site has explained the effects of five alokik arrows by Krishna as Kaamdev in prelude of Maharaas. In the similar way the lokik Kamdev uses these arrows and they hit the designated area and every arrow has its motive.

(1) Aravindam flower-arrow’s target is chest.
(2) Asoka flower-arrow seeks its target as lips.
(3) The head is the target chosen by Mango flower-arrow head .
(4) The bulls-eye is set by new jasmine flower-arrow and seeks its target as eyes.
(5) And the fifth arrow, Blue bell hits rest of the body and target is anywhere on the body.

When these arrow hits their target they try to set the stages in which it will entice the love and the five states associated with it.

These are: -
1. Unmand= maniacal state,
2. Tapana= fervent state
3. Shoshana= enticing away,
4. Sthambhana= freezing the state of love and enticement.
5. Sammohana= Glorified love and makes one crazy.

I will elaborate more on these arrows in my next posting. Vasantbhai has given a lovely background on Pradyuman and I enjoyed his narration just like the Vasant, the king of the month.
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Dasa nu das
Pushtidas

[Vasant Punjabi]

Jai Shri Krishna,

No need for thanks Palnaji and Sitalji you are most welcome.

Pushtidasji I prefer to remain a humble vaishnav then being a king.

Will add few more words

Note on Cupid: Kaamdeva, lust personified, has five names according to the Amara-kosha dictionary:

"kandarpa darpako 'nanga kAmah pancha-sharaih smarah"

"Cupid has five names; (1) Cupid; (2) Darpaka, 'he who prevents future events'; (3) Ananga, 'he who has no physical body'; (4) KAma, 'lust personified' ; and (5) Pancha-sharaih, 'he who holds five arrows' ".

Kandarpa: In the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (BG 10:28.) Lord Shri Krishna says, prajanash cAsmi kandarpah; "Of causes for procreation, I am Kandarpa". The word Kandarpa also means "very beautiful". Kandarpa appeared as Lord Krishna's son Pradyumna in DwArakA.

Darpaka: This name indicates that Cupid can perceive what is to take place and prevent it from happening. Specifically, he tries to impede pure spiritual activity by alluring one's mind and forcibly engaging one in material sense enjoyment.

Ananga: Once, when Cupid disturbed the meditation of Lord Shiva, that powerful deva (demigod) burned him (Cupid) to ashes. Still, Lord Shiva gave Cupid the benediction that he would act in the world even without a physical body - like a ghost.

KAma: In Bhagavad Gita BG 7:11.) Lord Sri Krishna says, dharmAviruddho bhuteshu kAmo'smi: "I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles."

Pancha-sharaih: The five arrows with which Cupid pierces the mind of the living entities are taste, touch, sound, smell, and sight.

These are the five names of the empowered deva Cupid, who enchants all living entities and makes them do whatever he wants. Without receiving the mercy of Guru and Shri Krishna one cannot resist his power.

Thus ends the narration from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

Pushtidasji requesting please continue and elaborate on the arrrows of Kaamdev.
_________________
Vasant Punjabi.

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

[Pushtidas]

Jai Shree Krishna

Well, well, as always our ardent vaishnav Shree Vasantbhai has come up with an "Ace". I thought we will soon exhaust all the avenue on this subject but here again Shree Vasantji (King of season and flavour of Satsang Tibari) comes up with a new angle.

Thanks for lovely posting and I am in the middle of working on five arrows of Kamdevn.
_________________
Dasa nu das
Pushtidas