Vaishnava Kathamrita

After going through the intense summer and a humid monsoon, we in India perceiving one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. According to the Vedic calendar, Sarat falls during the months of Asvin and Karttika, of which Karttika carries special significance. Everyone loves certain foods, drinks, clothes, and music, and Lord Krishna also has no exception. Krishna loves butter, yellow clothing, peacock feathers, cows, flutes, and the land of Vrindavan. Similarly, of all months, He loves Karttika the best. A Month of Love and Devotion  Devotional service can be performed at any time, in any place, yet devotees know well that devotional service performed during Karttika is especially pleasing to the Lord. Therefore they perform additional austerities and devotional practices during this month. Although the Vedic scriptures describe in detail material benefits one may derive by performing devotional service during Karttika, pure devotees of Lord Krishna have no intere

India is the land of colorful festivals, interesting stories, and unending philosophical discussions. Controversies and debates were everywhere to somehow grab the title - "I am Right" or "My version is correct". The beautiful festival of lamps - Deepavali also a victim of this controversy club. Each individual of India had his own unique version to explain Why Deepavali is celebrated? But the reality remains unaffected. Let us explore through various Puranas...... Diwali comes from the word Deepavali which has two words Deepa means light and Avali means carrier. Therefore Deepa signifies ‘ coming to light ’. In the Vedic Literature it is mentioned: “ Tamasa Ma, Jyotir Gamaya ” means ‘ Do not remain in Darkness, Come to Light ’, meaning ‘ come to spiritual awareness or awakening’ . Diwali is celebrated for the following reasons and more: Return of Lord Ramachandra from His exile for 14 years. The appearance of Laxmidevi from the ocean of milk.

Gopal, Lover of Cows Story: Once, in one of the forests of Vrindavan, a cow named Bahula was peacefully grazing when a tiger attacked her. Bahula requested the tiger to allow her to return to her newly born calf, feed it, and bid it farewell before it made a meal of her. After a long discussion, the tiger agreed to her proposal and waited for her return. In the meantime, the cow went to her master, a brahmana, and to her calf and told them what had happened. When they heard her pitiful story, they volunteered to go in her place as the tiger’s meal. Brahmana said - " My dear Bahula, you please stay here and take care of the calf. I am an old man, I will go in your place to be the meal of Tiger ".  The calf said - " My dear mother,  I am just born a few days ago, there won't be much loss whether I die or alive. Please let me go ". Bahula declined their selfless offer, but in the end, all three – cow, calf, and brahmana – returned to offer themselves

Sri Krsna-Lila from Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th canto: Seeing that her maidservant was engaged in different household duties, Mother Yaśodā personally took charge of churning butter. And while she churned butter, she sang the childhood pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and enjoyed thinking of her son. There were drops of perspiration on her face, and the flower garland which was on her head scattered here and there. Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared as a child. He felt hungry, He wanted her to stop churning and indicated that her first business was breastfeeding him. Mother Yaśodā chasing Kṛṣṇa with a stick in her hand Mother Yaśodā took her little son on her lap and started to breastfeed him. While Kṛṣṇa was sucking the milk, she was smiling, enjoying the beauty of her child’s face. Suddenly, the milk which was on the stove began to boil over. Just to stop the milk from spilling, Mother Yaśodā at once put Kṛṣṇa aside and went to the stove. That made Kṛṣṇa became very angry, and His lips and eyes became red i