How to do Purushottama Month Vrata?

The sacred Purushottama Masa, a month-long spiritual journey (18th July 2023 to 16th August 2023), provides an exceptional opportunity for devotees to advance in their Krishna consciousness. This month is like an open invitation from Lord Krishna to engage in devotional activities and come closer to Him. Observing this month is no mere ritual; it is a transformative process that requires sincere commitment and daily practice.

The guidelines to observing Purushottama Masa include daily and weekly activities that help enrich a devotee’s spiritual life. These activities are not just acts of piety; they are stepping stones to spiritual elevation. You can choose to do all of the activities or some of them. You can record your daily sadhana in section named “Daily Sadhana Update”. See the Resources section for information on how to chant Hare Krishna maha mantra on beads, how to perform Tulasi Arati, how to recite Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 shlokas, how to conduct programme at your home etc.,

Daily Activities

• Awakening during Brahma Muhurta: This auspicious period, occurring approximately two hours before sunrise, is an ideal time for meditation and chanting. 4.30 AM
• Attending Mangala Arati: Begin the day by participating in the auspicious early morning arati or worship. You can watch live on ISKCON Mayapur YouTube channel or perform arati at home or attend in temple.
• Chanting Hare Krishna Maha Mantra: Dedicate time to chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. It takes approximately 2 hours to chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.
• Following the 4 Regulative Principles: Practice restraint from intoxication, meat eating, illicit sex and gambling.
• Performing Tulasi Puja and Parikrama: Worship the sacred Tulasi plant and perform parikrama (circumambulation).
• Listening to Srimad Bhagavatam Class: Engage in daily scriptural study and discussion.
• Chant a Special Mantra: Chant the Mantra sung by Kaundinya Muni for 33 times

govardhana dharam vande gopālam gopa rūpiṇaṁ
gokulotsavam īśānam govindam gopikā priyaṁ

vande navaghana shyāmam dvibhujam murlīdharaṁ
pītāmbardharam devam śaradham puruśottamaṁ

• Chanting Extra Rounds: Aim to chant additional rounds of the Maha Mantra, beyond the daily 16 and fix the number of rounds.
• Offering Ghee Lamp to Krishna: Show devotion by offering a ghee lamp to Radha Krishna.
• Offering Flowers to Lord Krishna: Present flowers to Lord Krishna.
• Reading the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 15): Delve deeper into the spiritual wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
• Studying Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 10, Chapter 14, 2 Shlokas): Dedicate time to read and understand these specific shlokas.
• Singing Vaishnava Bhajans: Participate in or organize a devotional singing session. We have identified few bhajans, you can try to memorize them. See the section “Resources”.

Weekly Activities:

• Organizing a devotional programme at Home: Host a gathering for collective chanting, discussion, and prasadam sharing. We have made a separate video on how to host a Harinam program at your home. Reach out to us for help.
• Visiting an ISKCON Temple on Sunday and Doing Seva: Dedicate your Sundays to temple service and engage in community activities like serving prasadam to the devotees.
• Distributing Books: Spread the message of Krishna consciousness by distributing small books and the Bhagavad Gita.

Each day after completing the sadhana, you should report back on the course platform by submitting the sadhana report. This accountability helps in maintaining consistency and tracks your progress through the month. We also have special prizes to those who get the most points.

In conclusion, observing Purushottama Masa is more than a simple observance of rules and rituals; it is about refining the heart, purifying the mind, and directing the senses towards the Supreme Lord Krishna. By adhering to the daily and weekly practices outlined above, devotees can create a spiritual rhythm that gradually aligns their life with Krishna consciousness. This Purushottama Masa, let’s strive to awaken the eternal love for Lord Krishna that resides within all of us.