Purushottam Vrat

O living entity! Why are you lazy in performing Harbhajan in the month of Purusottama? This month, made by the Lord of Goloka, Himself, is the pinnacle of all months. It is even better than the greatly pious Kartika, Magha, and Vaisakha months. With special bhajan, worship Sri Sri Radha Krsna. You will gain everything.

There are normally 12 months in one year. In line with varna and ashrama, various pious activities to be performed have been described for the 12 months. When the 13th month is joined with the 12 months, it comes to be known as the Adhimasa or Karmahina month in which no karmic activities concerning piety can produce results. This month appears every three years.

The Brhan-Naradiya Purana describes the Purusottama month. Adhimasa, the chief of all months, feeling sad due to the humiliatory ideas associated with itself, approaches Narayana in Vaikuntha and explains the situation. Narayana subsequently takes Adhimasa along with Him to Lord Krsna in Goloka. Krsna, hearing Malamasa’s sadness, overcome with compassion, speaks as follows.

Lord Krsna says: O Lord of Ramaa Devi, in the same way in which I am known in the world as Purusottama, this adhimasa will also be famously known in the world as Purusottama. In this Purusottama month, those who worship Me with bhakti, love, and devotion, attain wealth, sons, etc. enjoying happiness and at the end become residents of Goloka. Recite mantras such as the

Govardhanadharam Mantra
Govardhana-Dharam Vande Gopālam Goparupiṇam
Gokulotsavamīśānam Govindam Gopikāpriyam

With bhakti and you will attain Purusottamadeva. Meditate on Radha along with Krsna who is the color of a fresh raincloud having two hands holding a Murali flute, dressed in yellow garments.

One should follow the Vrata in the way in which Damodara Vrata is followed

Offering lamps for the pleasure of Purusottama, either with ghee or sesame oil. Vratis shall take a bath before Brahma-Muhurta (if possible), then perform acamana and apply tilaka, with gopicandana. Performing puja of Radha Krsna is to be done in this month.

Purusottama Sri Krsna is the main lord of this month. There are additional services that can be done such as offering 16 articles of worship to Sri Krsna, bathing early, etc. Listen to Srimad Bhagavatam with bhakti. Worship the salagrama sila. He who follows this vrata, all the holy places and devatas reside. Service to vaisnavas is of great importance during this month.

There are other processes and rules of following the vrata, but for those not involved 100 percent in devotional service. Some people take havisyanna during this month. Suta Goswami says to avoid misfortune, follow this vrata. The starting tithi is amavasya at the beginning of the month and the ending tithi is krsnapaksa caturdasi at the end
of the month.

HDG Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj
President, Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math