Re: Bhishma's death

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Lord Shri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth Draupadi was the daughter of a great brahmana sage called Medhavi. Her mother died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father. Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her father was not interested in arranging her marriage Seeing her other girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a very miserable way  In the mean time, her father passed away from this material world while uttering the sacred name ofHari.

" This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage Durvasa Muni appeared in her asrama shortly after her father's death. Seeing the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage When he expressed his pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him. Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything - past, present and future. 1 have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.

Durvasa rsi began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most auspicious Purusottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to Lord Shri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can become completely sinless. This Purusottama month is more glorious than all other months, including Kartik month The glories of all other months is not even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purusottama month the merit of a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a person who takes a bath in holy water of Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati [Jupiter] enters to Leo [lion] If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krishna during this month all your miseries will go away, you will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice - please do not forget to worship the forthPurusottama month very sincerely "

After speaking these words. Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the young brahmani did not believe in his words, rather she became angry and started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month, which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha. I cannot believe your words. You are trying to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of pious activity " Hearing these words of the brahmana girl Durvasa became very angry, his whole body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself

Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unintelligent one, I am not going to curse you because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless condition   Being an ignorant child, you cannot understand the sastric conclusion. I am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purusottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of your offensive words" The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to perform his service for Lord Narayana.

Lord Shri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that place the brahmin girl [Draupadi in her previous birth] lost all of her opulences in a moment.  Being an offender to Purusottama month, her body began to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided to worship Lord Siva who is known as Asutosa, one who is very easily pleased.

This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to please Lord Siva, the husband of Parvati She continued her austerities for nine thousand years.  In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord Sankara then appeared before the brahmin girl because he was pleased by her worship and austerities. When Lord Siva appeared before the girl in his spiritual form, the girl immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord Siva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look beautiful. Seeing Lord Siva in front of her, she started to worship him in her mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.

Being very pleased with the girl. Lord Siva said, "Oh performer of austerity, all good fortune to you Now please ask some boon from me. 1 am pleased with you I shall grant whatever you want "

Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Siva, the girl said, "Oh friend of the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me a husband. Repeatedly speaking the same words - "give me a husband" - five times, the girl then fell silent. Then Lord Siva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five times, and so you will get five husbands." Hearing Lord Siva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord, it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words " Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, ""That is impossible for me. What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your next life. Previously you offended Purusottama month by not following the kind advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is not difference between the body of Durvasa and mine. All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the great saints like Narada, worship this Purusottama month in accord with the order of Lord Shri Krishna.

A devotee of Purusottama month achieves all good fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dhama, the abode of Lord Shri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purusottama month, you will get five husbands in your next life." The girl became very remorseful, but Lord Siva immediately disappeared from the place. After Lord Siva's departure, the young brahmani became very morose and fearful about her future life In this way, after few days, the girl left her body by the arrangement of providence.

Lord Shri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth. She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rsi has now became famous in the world as Draupadi - she is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed Purusottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Shri Krishna] and took My shelter. Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purusottama month. A person who blasphemes Purusottama month and doesn't worship her, and doesn't worship Me, will never attain good fortune. This Purusottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purusottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you." Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way, Lord Shri Krishna then left that place for Dwaraka.

After a few days, when Purusottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhistira reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Shri Krishna. All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They worshiped Purusottama Shri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month The merit they achieved by performing Purusottama vrata meant they regained their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to Godhead by the grace of Lord Shri Krishna.

All glories to Purushottama Masa!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Bhishma's death

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Lord Shri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth Draupadi was the daughter of a great brahmana sage called Medhavi. Her mother died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father. Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her father was not interested in arranging her marriage Seeing her other girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a very miserable way  In the mean time, her father passed away from this material world while uttering the sacred name ofHari.

" This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage Durvasa Muni appeared in her asrama shortly after her father's death. Seeing the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage When he expressed his pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him. Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything - past, present and future. 1 have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.

Durvasa rsi began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most auspicious Purusottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to Lord Shri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can become completely sinless. This Purusottama month is more glorious than all other months, including Kartik month The glories of all other months is not even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purusottama month the merit of a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a person who takes a bath in holy water of Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati [Jupiter] enters to Leo [lion] If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krishna during this month all your miseries will go away, you will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice - please do not forget to worship the forthPurusottama month very sincerely "

After speaking these words. Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the young brahmani did not believe in his words, rather she became angry and started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month, which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha. I cannot believe your words. You are trying to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of pious activity " Hearing these words of the brahmana girl Durvasa became very angry, his whole body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself

Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unintelligent one, I am not going to curse you because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless condition   Being an ignorant child, you cannot understand the sastric conclusion. I am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purusottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of your offensive words" The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to perform his service for Lord Narayana.

Lord Shri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that place the brahmin girl [Draupadi in her previous birth] lost all of her opulences in a moment.  Being an offender to Purusottama month, her body began to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided to worship Lord Siva who is known as Asutosa, one who is very easily pleased.

This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to please Lord Siva, the husband of Parvati She continued her austerities for nine thousand years.  In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord Sankara then appeared before the brahmin girl because he was pleased by her worship and austerities. When Lord Siva appeared before the girl in his spiritual form, the girl immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord Siva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look beautiful. Seeing Lord Siva in front of her, she started to worship him in her mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.

Being very pleased with the girl. Lord Siva said, "Oh performer of austerity, all good fortune to you Now please ask some boon from me. 1 am pleased with you I shall grant whatever you want "

Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Siva, the girl said, "Oh friend of the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me a husband. Repeatedly speaking the same words - "give me a husband" - five times, the girl then fell silent. Then Lord Siva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five times, and so you will get five husbands." Hearing Lord Siva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord, it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words " Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, ""That is impossible for me. What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your next life. Previously you offended Purusottama month by not following the kind advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is not difference between the body of Durvasa and mine. All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the great saints like Narada, worship this Purusottama month in accord with the order of Lord Shri Krishna.

A devotee of Purusottama month achieves all good fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dhama, the abode of Lord Shri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purusottama month, you will get five husbands in your next life." The girl became very remorseful, but Lord Siva immediately disappeared from the place. After Lord Siva's departure, the young brahmani became very morose and fearful about her future life In this way, after few days, the girl left her body by the arrangement of providence.

Lord Shri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth. She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rsi has now became famous in the world as Draupadi - she is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed Purusottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Shri Krishna] and took My shelter. Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purusottama month. A person who blasphemes Purusottama month and doesn't worship her, and doesn't worship Me, will never attain good fortune. This Purusottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purusottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you." Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way, Lord Shri Krishna then left that place for Dwaraka.

After a few days, when Purusottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhistira reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Shri Krishna. All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They worshiped Purusottama Shri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month The merit they achieved by performing Purusottama vrata meant they regained their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to Godhead by the grace of Lord Shri Krishna.

All glories to Purushottama Masa!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Bhishma's death

Dear devotees,

       Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! I have found some more information about this topic. Previously I had not found a complete answer to why the Pandavas had to suffer and I said that there was more to it than meets the eye

       Once Shri Krishna, son of Devaki, visited the Pandavas in that forest. All the Pandavas, including Draupadi, were very happy to see their Lord, and they forgot their painful forest life immediately. They felt enriched with a new life just by taking Krnsa's darshan. They paid their obeisances at their Lord's lotus feet Seeing the miserable living condition of the Pandavas, Lord Shri Krishna became very upset. and at the same time He became very angry towards Dhuryodhana. It appeared as if the Lord was going to destroy the whole universe, and so the Pandavas became fearful and all began to pray to the Lord in a humble mood. Listening to the humble prayers of Arjuna, the Lord composed Himself and said, "Oh Arjuna, being very pleased with all of you [ Pandavas], and being controlled by your devotion and friendship towards Me, I will now tell you about the wonderful history of Purusottama month....

        A fortunate person who follows My instructions and observes this Purusottama month properly, and in a faithful way worships Me will attain fame, opulence and a good son in this very life And after enjoying a happy life, he will return back to Goloka Dhama. By following My instructions, everyone should worship this sacred month. 1 have made it the best among all other months Oh husband of Rama devi (Vishnu), give up all kinds of mental speculation about (his extra month  Just take this Purusottama month with you to your Vaikuntha abode

After narrating this brief history of the Purusottama month. Lord Shri Krishna glanced very mercifully upon Yudhisthira and Draupadi, and then began speaking to Arjuna

"Oh lion among man, can you now understand the reason why you Pandavas are suffering? You did not acknowledge or honor the presence of Purusottama month, which has just recently finished. That month which is most dear to Vrndavana Chandra has passed, but you Pandavas were in the forest and did not worship Purusottama month.  So now you are suffering. You have been following the ritualistic principles given to you by Vyasadeva, but unless you worship Purusottama month you cannot perform pure devotional service to Me."

     More to come in the next post. Very interesting. Mihir, our questions are answered at the right time!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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