In Māyāpur, Bhadra Purnima is not simply a single day of celebration or a festival that begins on the day itself. The preparations create an opportunity to gradually enter the mood of the occasion—to hear, become inspired, and prepare our hearts to carry the mercy and message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam into many homes.
This period of preparation also brings together several significant occasions connected with great devotees and the spreading of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Viśvarūpa Mahotsava commemorates the day when Viśvarūpa, the elder brother of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, accepted the renounced order of life.
We hear from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta:
After this, Jagannātha Miśra got a son of the name Viśvarūpa, who was most powerful and highly qualified because He was an incarnation of Baladeva.
Viśvarūpa was the elder brother of Gaurahari, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When arrangements were being made for the marriage of Viśvarūpa, He took sannyāsa and left home. He took the sannyāsa name of Śaṅkarāraṇya. In 1431 Śakābda Era (A.D. 1509), He disappeared in Pāṇḍarapura, in the district of Sholapur. As an incarnation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, He is both the ingredient and immediate cause of the creation of this material world. He is nondifferent from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, for the aṁśa and the aṁśī, or the part and the whole, are not different. As an incarnation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Viśvarūpa belongs to the quadruple manifestation of catur-vyūha. In the Gaura-candrodaya it is said that Viśvarūpa, after His so-called demise, remained mixed within Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu.
— Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 13.74
The remembrance of Viśvarūpa's renunciation naturally brings our attention toward the importance of carrying forward the spiritual message received through our disciplic succession.
Bhadra Purnima is a particularly auspicious occasion for serving Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Bhāgavatam itself declares:
“If on the full moon day of the month of Bhādra one places Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam on a golden throne and gives it as a gift, he will attain the supreme transcendental destination.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 12.13.13
The Varāha Purāṇa similarly describes the special nature of celebrating the appearance of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:
Sri Narayana said to Brahma, O saintly brahmana! among all of my festivals, the celebration of the appearance of Srimad Bhagavatam is the best. I am subdued by persons who with devotion and love hear, decorate and worship Srimad Bhagavatam, with clothes, ornaments, flowers, incense and lamp during festivals, just as a chaste wife subdues her husband.
For this reason, Bhadra Purnima gives us a beautiful opportunity to consider how we can serve Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
We can gift a copy of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to someone close to us. We can bring Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam into our own home. We can begin reading it, or make a simple commitment to read at least one verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam every day.
There are many ways to serve the lotus feet of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and to participate in the benediction Kṛṣṇa has kindly made available to us.
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī offers this beautiful prayer to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:
O Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, I offer respectful obeisances unto You. By reading you one attains transcendental bliss, for Your syllables rain pure love of God upon the reader. You are always to be served by everyone, for you are an incarnation of Krishna.
O Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, O my only friend, O my companion, O my teacher, O my great wealth, O my deliverer, O my good fortune, O my bliss, I offer respectful obeisances unto you.
O Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, O giver of saintliness to the unsaintly, O uplifter of the very fallen, please do not ever leave me. Please become manifested upon my heart and my throat, accompanied by pure love of Krishna.
— Kṛṣṇa-līlā-stava, verses 414–416
As we prepare for Bhadra Purnima, we also remember Śrīla Prabhupāda's acceptance of the renounced order of life.
Śrīla Prabhupāda accepted sannyāsa from Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktiprajñāna Keśava Mahārāja on September 17, 1959, at Keśavajī Maṭha in Mathura.
Looking back on the circumstances surrounding his acceptance of sannyāsa, Śrīla Prabhupāda said:
“I was sitting alone in Vṛndāvana, writing. My Godbrother insisted to me, ‘Bhaktivedanta Prabhu, you must do it. Without accepting the renounced order of life, nobody can become a preacher.’ So he insisted. Not he insisted; practically my spiritual master insisted. He wanted me to become a preacher, so he forced me through this Godbrother: ‘You accept.’ So, unwillingly I accepted.”
— Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta, Vol. 1, Chapter 9
At the sannyāsa ceremony, Abhay sat beside the elderly Sanātana and received the traditional sannyāsa-danda, saffron garments, tulasī neck beads and the sannyāsa-mantra. Keśava Mahārāja announced that Abhay would now be known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Mahārāja.
Although he had already given up family, home comforts and business years earlier, accepting sannyāsa carried a deeper significance. It represented the mandate he had required and the irrevocable commitment to preach.
It was now only a matter of time before Bhaktivedanta Swami would travel to the West, carrying out the desire of his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
When asked, “Are you going to America?”, Śrīla Prabhupāda replied:
“No, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is going to America—I am going with it.”
This statement beautifully captures the mood of the days leading up to Bhadra Purnima. Śrīla Prabhupāda did not simply travel to the West; he carried Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with him. Through his dedication, its message reached homes and hearts around the world.
And we do not all have to become sannyāsīs to participate in this mission. Śrīla Prabhupāda explained:
“The Krishna consciousness movement is not that we are asking everyone to become a sannyāsī like me, and give up everything. No. That is not our program. You act as a brāhmaṇa, as a kṣatriya or a vaiśya or a śūdra. It doesn’t matter. But you try to satisfy Krishna. That is the program.”
— Śrīla Prabhupāda Lecture, Bombay, December 30, 1972
As the preparations for Bhadra Purnima continue in Māyāpur, we too can begin preparing—not simply for a festival, but for a mood of service.
The pandal has been set up. The yajña has been performed. The atmosphere is beginning to awaken.
Now we can prepare our own hearts.
We can hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
We can become inspired by its message.
We can bring it into our homes.
And we can help bring its mercy to someone else's home.
Bhadra Purnima is coming. Let us prepare not only to celebrate Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, but to become instruments for sharing its message.
All glories to Viśvarūpa Mahotsava.
All glories to Bhadra Purnima.
All glories to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Sri Yudhishthira Maharaja asked of Lord Sri Krishna, "What is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September "Hrishikesha mase") ? Who is the worshipable Deity for this Ekadasi, and what merit does one attain in observing it? Kindly reveal all of this to me my Lord."
The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna addressed His devoted Yudhishthira as follows, "This Ekadasii, Oh Yudhishthira, is called Vamana Ekadasi, and it bestows upon those who observe it both great merit and ultimate liberation from material bondage. Therefore, because it removes all one's sinful reactions, it is also called Jayanti Ekadasi. Just hearing of its glories frees one from all his past misdeeds. So auspicious is this fast that observing it bestows the same merit as that earned by performing a horse sacrifice. There is no better Ekadasi than this, because it awards liberation so easily. Thus if one truly desires freedom from the punishing material world, one should fast on Vamana Ekadasi.
"While observing this holy fast, a Vaishnava should lovingly worship the Supreme Lord in His form as Vamandev, the dwarf incarnation, whose eyes are like lotus petals. By doing so, he worships all other Deities as well, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and at death he undoubtedly goes to that abode of Sri Hari. In all the three worlds there is no fast that is more important to observe.
The reason this Ekadasi is so auspicious is that it celebrates the day when the sleeping Lord Vishnu turns over on His other side; thus it is also known as Parivartinii Ekadasi."
Maharaja Yudhishthira then asked of the Lord, "Oh Janardana, please clear up a question I have. How is it that the Supreme Lord sleeps and then turns over on His side? Oh Lord, when You are asleep what happens to all the other living entities? Please also tell me how You bound the king of the demons, Bali Daityaraj (Bali Maharaja), as well as how one may please the brahmanas. How does one observe Chaturmasya, which You mention in the Chaturmasya-mahatmya of the Bhavishya Purana? Kindly be merciful to me and answer these questions."
The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhishthira, lion among Kings, I will gladly narrate to you an historical event that, simply by hearing, eradicates all one's sinful reactions.
"In the TretA-yuga there once was a king of the name Bali. Though born in a family dynasty of demons (daityas), he was very devoted to Me. He sang many Vedic hymns to Me and performed the homa rituals (fire sacrifices) just to satisfy Me. He respected the twice-born brahmins and engaged them in performing sacrifices daily. This great soul had a quarrel with Indra, however, and eventually defeated him in battle. Bali took over his entire celestial kingdom, which I Myself had given to Indra. Therefore Indra and all the other devas (demigods), along with many great sages, approached Me and complained about Bali Maharaja. Bowing their heads to the ground and offering many sacred prayers from the Vedas, they worshipped Me along with their spiritual master, Brihaspati. Thus I agreed to appear on their behalf as a dwarf Vamanadev, My fifth incarnation."
King Yudhishthira further enquired, "Oh Lord, how was it possible for You to conquer such a powerful demon, and only by coming in the form of a dwarf brahmin? Please explain this clearly, for I am Your faithful devotee."
The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna replied, "Though a dwarf, I was a brahmana, and I approached that pious king Bali to ask him for alms in the form of land. I said, 'Oh Daityraj Bali, please give Me just three steps of land in charity. Such a small piece of land will be good as all the three worlds for Me.'
Bali agreed to grant My request without lengthy consideration. But as soon as he vowed to give Me the land, My body began to expand into a gigantic transcendental form. I covered the entire Earth with My feet, all the Bhuvarloka with My thighs, the Swarga heavens with My waist, Maharloka with My stomach, Janaloka with My chest, Tapoloka with My neck, and Satyaloka with My head and face. I covered the entire material creation. Indeed, all the planets of the universe, including the Sun and the Moon, were encompassed by My gigantic form."
"Seeing this astonishing pastime of Mine, all the demigods, including Indra and Shesha, the king of the snakes, began to sing Vedic hymns and offer prayers to Me. Then I took Bali by the hand and said to him, 'Oh sinless one, I have covered the whole Earth with one step and all the heavenly planets with the second. Now where shall I place My foot to measure the third step of land you promised Me?'
"Upon hearing this, Bali Maharaja bowed down in humility and offered Me his head to place My third step. Oh Yudhishthira, I placed My foot on his head and sent him all the way to Patalaloka. Seeing him thus humbled, I became very pleased and told Bali that henceforth I would permanently reside in his palace.
Thereafter, on Parivartinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadra (August-September), Bali, the son of Virochana, grandson of Prahlad, installed a Deity form of Me in his residence.
"Oh king, until Haribodhinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Karttika, I continue to sleep in the ocean of milk. The merit one accumulates during this period is particularly powerful.
"One should therefore observe Parivartinii EkAdasii carefully. Indeed, it is especially purifying and thus cleanses one of all sinful reactions. On this day the faithful devotee should worship Lord Trivikrama, Vamanadeva, who is the supreme father, because on this day I turn over to sleep on My other side.
"If possible, on this day one should give a qualified person some yogurt mixed with rice, as well as some silver, and then remain awake throughout the night. This simple observance will free one of all material conditioning. One who observes this sacred Parivartinii Ekadasi in the way I have described will surely attain all kinds of happiness in this world and the kingdom of God in the hereafter.
One who simply hears this narration with devotion will go to the abode of the demigods and shine there like the Moon itself, so powerful is observance of this Ekadasi. Indeed, this observance is as powerful as the performance of a thousand horse sacrifices."
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Parivartinii Ekadasi, or Vamana Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadrapada, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
Next day (Sri Vamana Dvadashi), fasting has already been observed the day before on Ekadashi day, so break this fast with joyful feasting of Lord Vamanadev's appearance day mahaprasadam!
Vāmana Dvādaśī is the appearance day of Lord Vāmanadeva, who appeared in the form of a small brāhmaṇa boy and entered into the remarkable pastime of accepting charity from Mahārāja Bali, the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja.
Bali Mahārāja, who was the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja and a powerful king of the Daitya dynasty, worshipped Lord Viṣṇu. Through his strength and determination, he was able to defeat Indra and became the ruler of the entire universe. Seeing that the demigods had lost their position, Aditi, the mother of the demigods, together with the devas, approached Lord Viṣṇu and offered their prayers and obeisances. Lord Viṣṇu agreed to appear as Vāmanadeva.
The Lord then appeared as a brāhmaṇa in a dwarf-like form, and He became known as Vāmanadeva. He eventually went to the sacrificial arena of King Bali, accompanied by Indra, and approached the king to ask for charity.
When Bali Mahārāja saw the young brāhmaṇa, he welcomed Him and offered Him the opportunity to ask for whatever He desired. Vāmanadeva simply requested three steps of land.
Bali Mahārāja was surprised. He said, in effect, “Why only three steps? I can give You an entire planet. I can give You a wonderful wife, wealth, jewels, or anything else You desire!”
But Vāmanadeva remained satisfied with His simple request. He explained that if one cannot become satisfied with three steps of land, then one will not necessarily become satisfied even by possessing much more.
Bali Mahārāja was ready to fulfill the request, but his spiritual master, Śukrācārya, understood that this was Lord Viṣṇu Himself appearing as Vāmanadeva. He therefore warned Bali Mahārāja not to give the Lord what He had requested.
Śukrācārya explained various circumstances in which a person could withdraw from a promise without incurring fault—for example, in certain situations involving danger, marriage arrangements, or the protection of one's life. He tried to convince Bali Mahārāja that he did not have to fulfill his promise.
But Bali Mahārāja had already made his decision.
He thought, “If He is Viṣṇu, then I worship Viṣṇu. If the Lord Himself has come before me and asked for this, then I will give Him exactly what He has requested.”
Śukrācārya became angry and warned Bali Mahārāja that if he continued with the offering, he would lose everything. Yet Bali Mahārāja remained determined.
At that moment, Vāmanadeva prepared to receive the water that would formally confirm Bali Mahārāja's gift. Śukrācārya, using his mystic power, entered the spout of the water pot in the form of a small creature in an attempt to prevent the water from flowing.
Vāmanadeva then used a small blade of straw to clear the opening. Śukrācārya was struck in the process and became blind in one eye.
The obstruction was removed, and Bali Mahārāja poured the water into Vāmanadeva's hand, formally confirming his promise.
And then the astonishing transformation took place.
The small form of Vāmanadeva began to expand—bigger and bigger and bigger—until He became Trivikrama, the gigantic universal form of the Lord.
With His first step, He covered the earthly planetary system, Bhū-loka. Then His body continued expanding until He covered the higher planetary systems—Bhūḥ, Bhuvaḥ and Svaḥ, extending through Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka. His form encompassed the entire universe.
His foot reached the covering of the universe, and His toenail pierced that covering, allowing the waters of the Ganges to enter.
Then Trivikrama turned to Bali Mahārāja and asked, “Where shall I place My third step?”
Bali Mahārāja had nothing left to give. He had offered everything he possessed.
So he bowed down and offered his own head.
“Place Your lotus foot upon my head.”
And Vāmanadeva placed His lotus foot upon the head of Bali Mahārāja.
What appeared to be the loss of everything became the greatest blessing for Bali Mahārāja. The Lord then told him that he would go to Sutala, where he would reside, and the Lord Himself would remain there as his doorkeeper and protector, ensuring that no one would attack him.
This beautiful pastime also reminds us of the importance of Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī. The fast is observed on the Ekādaśī preceding Vāmana Dvādaśī, since Dvādaśī is the appearance day of Vāmanadeva and is not observed as a fasting day in the same way. On Ekādaśī, devotees traditionally refrain from cereals, grains and pulses, and those who are able may observe a more complete fast and remain awake throughout the night in remembrance of the Lord.
This is a great Ekādaśī, and its observance is understood to destroy previous karmic reactions and bring one closer to the spiritual destination.
The story of Bali Mahārāja is especially inspiring because he was a gṛhastha, just as Prahlāda Mahārāja was, and yet both demonstrated profound devotion. Bali Mahārāja was born in a family of demons, but his birth did not prevent him from becoming a great devotee. His life shows that devotion to the Lord is not restricted by one's family background. When one sincerely practices bhakti-yoga and chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, spiritual success is possible.
As His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami has encouraged:
Please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
In Śrī Māyāpur, the celebration of Vāmana Dvādaśī carries a particularly sweet and intimate mood. Devotees make an effort to recreate the auspicious atmosphere of this pastime through loving service.
One of the special sights during the celebration is a young little Vaiṣṇava dressed as Lord Vāmanadeva. Devotees then lovingly offer personal seva to Vāmanadeva, including washing His feet, offering massage, feeding Him and performing many other forms of service.
There is a special sweetness in witnessing this. A child dressed as Vāmanadeva becomes the focus of loving service, and devotees have the opportunity to participate in a simple and heartfelt recreation of the mood surrounding the Lord's appearance.
In this way, Vāmana Dvādaśī in Māyāpur is not simply an occasion to hear the story of Vāmanadeva and Bali Mahārāja. It becomes an opportunity to remember the Lord's appearance, to glorify His wonderful activities, and to experience the joy of serving Him together.
On this auspicious Vāmana Dvādaśī, let us remember the surrender of Bali Mahārāja, the mercy of Lord Vāmanadeva, and the power of sincere devotional service.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Among the beloved companions of Srimati Radharani in the eternal pastimes of Sri Vrindavana, Sri Campakalata Devi holds a distinguished place as the third of the Varistha-gopis, the most senior and prominent of Sri Radha’s intimate companions.
Her complexion resembles the radiant golden-yellow hue of a blossoming campaka flower, while her garments shine in the deep blue color of a blue-jay. She is described as being one day younger than Srimati Radharani, and her age is given as 14 years, 2 months, and 13½ days.
Campakalata Devi is the daughter of Arama and Vatika-devi, and her husband is Candaksa. Her qualities are said to be much like those of Visakha-devi, particularly her intelligence, diplomacy, and skill in presenting persuasive arguments.
Campakalata Devi is known for carrying out her activities with great secrecy. She possesses exceptional skill in logical persuasion and diplomacy, making her particularly adept at protecting Srimati Radharani from the efforts of Her rivals.
Her intelligence is matched by her practical abilities. Campakalata Devi is expert at gathering fruits, flowers, and roots from the forests of Vrindavana. Among the gopis entrusted with caring for the trees, creepers, and flowering plants of Vrindavana, she is regarded as their foremost leader.
Her service extends into the kitchen as well. She is an expert cook, deeply familiar with the literatures describing the six varieties of tastes in gourmet cooking. Her mastery of preparing sweets is so remarkable that she is celebrated by the name Mistahasta, meaning “sweet hands.”
With nothing more than the skill of her hands, she can also artistically shape beautiful objects from clay.
On the southern petal of Madana-sukhada Kunja lies Kamalata Kunja, the beautiful abode of Sri Campakalata Devi, who is deeply beloved by Sri Krishna.
The entire kunja is described as having the radiant appearance of molten gold, reflecting the golden beauty associated with Campakalata Devi.
Campakalata Devi embodies the mood of a vasaka-sajja nayika—one who is beautifully prepared and eagerly awaiting the arrival of her beloved. Her nature is described as vama-madhya, and among her intimate services to Sri Krishna are offering jeweled necklaces and gently fanning Him with a camara.
Campakalata Devi leads her own group, or yutha, of intimate gopis. Among the chief gopis associated with her are:
Kurangaksi
Suracita
Mandali
Manimandana
Candika
Candralatika
Kandukaksi
Sumandira
Together, they participate in the loving service and transcendental pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna in Vrindavana.
The eternal associates of Sri Krishna also appear in the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In Gaura-lila, Campakalata Devi appears as Raghava Goswami, carrying her devotional service into the earthly pastimes of Sri Gauranga.
Through her many qualities—her intelligence, diplomacy, artistic abilities, cooking expertise, and dedicated service—Sri Campakalata Devi represents the extraordinary variety of loving service offered to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
Her life and service remind us that in Vrindavana, even the smallest offering—whether a flower, a fruit, a lovingly prepared sweet, or a gentle breeze from a camara—can become an expression of the deepest spiritual love and devotion.
