On 18th August the Purushottam Month started. It is a special month and very dear to Krsna. When the full moon occurs twice in a month, i.e. in less then 29 solar days then the month is divided into 2 and a leap month is added. This leap month is known as Adika mas or Purushottama month and occurs about every 3 years. This year it started on the 18th August 2012 and finishes on the 16th Sep 2012. It is equal to performing 16 Kartik Vratas and therefore it is a very good time to engage in full devotional service.
The following description was sent by Bhanu Maharaja for the previous Purushottama Vrata:
The main vrata is to worship Radha Krishna Yugala
Rise Brahma-muhurta DAILY (meaning 1,5 hours before sunrise till 1 hour; if sunrise at 6am then bm starts 4:30 goes to about 5 a.m.) Means taking rest EARLY night before.
Take vow to REMAIN TRUTHFUL for whole month.
Careful not to BLASPHEME any devotee, sastra, brahmin, cows, saints, or one observing the Purusottama Vrata.
Fixed increased chanting 25, 32, 64,128 rounds daily!
Hearing hari katha (Study Krishna Book (chapters dealing with Vraja lila and Krishna meeting gopis at kuruksetra) SB& CC specifically desc. RK guna and lila) and/or speaking daily hari-katha
Worshiping Radha Krishna, which means, unless you have deity with you, then daily offer fresh first class lotus or rose plus tulasi = garlands to Radhe Shyam photo or painting of Radha-Govinda Yugal. If worship Salagrama (could apply to Radha-Govinda also) offer 100,000 tulasi leaves and achieve “unlimited merit beyond the powers of Brahma to describe.”
Sing bhajans and kirtans specifically glorifying Yugala Kishora. Such as Jaya Radha Madhava; Radhe jaya jaya madhava dayite; radha-krishna prana mora; Radha-krpa kataksa (in back our radhakunda book or in Giti Guccha song book; also sing Nandanandana Astakam (also in Giti Guccha song book); jaya radha madana mohan.. sanatana prana dhana he; jaya madhava madana murari radhe shyam shyama shyam; radha-krsna bol bol bolo re sobhai; vrndavana ramya sthana; tulasi arotik prayers with deep prayer of longing and meditation;
MUST OFFER Daily GHEE (pure cow’s ghee only) lamp to Radha-Krishna Deity or photo.
Bathe DAILY in Yamuna around sunrise. Or if not in holy land then pour drops on head from bottle of Radha-kunda water or Yamuna after offering obeisances and prayers to Radha-kunda or Yamuna.
Eating–Fast till noon and eat only fruits or just vegetables without any beans or grains. (like ekadasi preps for one month!) once a day if you can. Or just eat maha-prasadam, full to neck ONCE A DAY. Take a vow according to your capacity to follow, and in no condition can one break his vow in the middle of the month.
jai shri krishna
sadah bahar
