Damodara Darshan

A newsletter for and by Young Vaisnavas of ISKCON Oct 2006

Damodar is Conquered Only By Love
Nimai Agarwal, Age 7
One day mother Yashoda was churning butter. As she was churning , she was affectionately singing Krishna’s glories and
her bracelets were jingling, keeping rhythm. Mean while, Krishna woke up. He felt hungry for his mother’s milk and
approached her, thus stopping her from churning. Yashoda
understood His desire and nursed Him.

Suddenly she heard the milk boiling on the stove. She became
anxious and ran to the kitchen, placing Krishna on the ground.
Krishna got angry, and broke His mother’s butter pot in fury.
Then He ran to an isolated place and started to eat the butter.
When Yashoda came back from the kitchen, she saw butter
scattered all over the floor. She wondered who had done this, then
she understood. It must be Krishna! So she went looking for Him,
tracing His footprints made of butter and finally she found Him
anxiously sitting on a grinding mortar feeding the monkeys.

She picked up a stick and went chasing after Him. As she was
desperately running the flowers that were decorating her hair
started falling. Each flower had its own mellow of love. Some
thought, we’re not supposed to be decorating her hair; we’re
supposed to be decorating her lotus feet. Some others thought, this
is a wonderful pastime; Yashoda is going to capture Krishna! I
think we are too heavy for her ?

As Yashoda was running she was perspiring. Seeing this ,Krishna got
conquered by her love and allowed himself to get caught . He
pleaded for her mercy by promising never to steal butter ever again.
Painting by Nimai
Yashoda thought about it, while I am away, he may do more naughty things or may get in trouble, so I should bind
Him to the mortar. So she got the rope used for churning. When she tried to bind him, she found it to be two fingers
too short! She tied another rope to it, but still two fingers too short! Again she
tied the rope to the others, but still two fingers too short!!

Finally, she used all the ropes of Vraja bhumi, but Krishna was not to be
bound. The amazing part is Krishna’s belly didn’t increase at all. Mother
Yashoda was amazed yet fatigued and her body was covered with
perspiration. Seeing this Krishna agreed to be bound by Yashoda’s love.

There were two huge strong Arjuna trees that in their previous lives were
Nalakuvera and Manigriva, the sons of Kuvera. One day they were bathing
with naked damsels. Narada muni passed by, chanting the glories of Krishna,
but they didn’t offer respects. Seeing this Narada muni cursed them that you
will become trees.

To deliver them, Krishna started crawling so then the mortar got stuck and with
one tug, the trees fell down and, Nalakuvera and Manigriva emerged out offered
prayers and returned to there heavenly abodes.

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Oct 2006
 Five Auspicious Days of Diwali
Dhruva Adawal, Age 12

Diwali is also called Deepawali, which literally means “row of lights.” It

is a major Hindu festival that is widely celebrated all over the world.
Diwali was first celebrated millions of years ago when the residents of
the city of Ayodhaya decorated their house and lit thousands of lamps
to welcome the return of their king, Lord Rama after fourteen years of
exile. Diwali represents the victory of good over evil, since Lord Rama
returned after killing the evil Ravana to rescue His wife Sita devi. Lord
Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Sita Devi is His eternal
consort, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune.

Diwali is celebrated in on the new moon day of the auspicious month

of Kartika. It comes right in between a period of five very auspicious
days. The first day is called Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan Teras. On this day during the churning of the ocean, emerged a
plenary portion of Krishna called Dhanvantri, holding a pot of amrita, or nectar of immortality. People purchase new
vessels and offer their cooking to the Lord and accept it back as amrita. The second day is called Naraka Chaturdashi and
on this day Krishna and His wife Satyabhama killed the great demon Narakasura. This is also celebrated as “Chotti
Diwali,” since on this day Hanuman informed Bharata of the imminent arrival of Lord Rama and there were celebrations
in Ayodhaya. The third day, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky, is the actual day
of Diwali. The 4th day is the Govardhana Puja when Krishna picked up the Govardhan Hill and crushed the pride of
Indra. Vaishnavas worship Govardhana Hill on this day. This day is also called “Annakuta,” and represents the end of
harvesting season for most of India. The fifth and last day is Bhaiya-dooj. On this day Yamaraja, the superintendent of
death, gave his sister Yamuna (the personification of the river Yamuna) the benediction that any one who takes bath in
the river with love and devotion for Krishna will be liberated. On this day brothers and sisters meet to express their love
and affection for each other.

Diwali also marks the beginning of the New Year for the merchants who on this day close their annual accounts, present
them to Goddess Lakshmi and pray for a prosperous year. They also pray to Lord Ganesha to remove all material
impediments in the upcoming year. Diwali also marks the beginning of the New Year for Jains. In its original true spirit,
Diwali welcomes the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Goddess of Fortune into one’s home with auspicious
lights. It is a resolve to welcome the Lord in one’s life and become Krishna conscious.

Dussehra
Om Shahi, Age 9

Dussehra is the tenth day of Navaratri. It can also be interpreted as

“Dasa-Hara”, which means cutting of the 10 heads of Ravana. This day
marks the victory of Lord Rama over Asura (demon) Ravana which
signifies the victory of good over evil. That is why Dussehra is also
known as Vijaya Dashami.
On this day Lord Rama killed Ravana who had kidnapped Rama’s wife
Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Rama, along with Lakshmana, dedicated
servant Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle. The
war against Ravana lasted for ten days. Devotees celebrate it as the
homecoming of Lord Rama after he rescued his wife Sita devi from the
clutches of Ravana by worshipping the weapons. In modern days
weapons have been replaced with the tools of the trade like those used to
earn daily livelihood. So people worship computers, machines, automo-
biles, utensils, books to show the divinity in these objects which Lord has created to meet our needs. We can also view this
victory as winning over one’s mundane senses. Forever we wish to be victorious over worldly pleasures and even this
creation. Mundane enjoyment leads to extravagance which destroys the consciousness. Therefore scriptures advise us to
practice control over mind. Where There is God There is Dharma, Where There is Dharma, There is Victory.

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Oct 2006
Krishna Crushes Indra’s Pride
Nimai Agarwal, Age 7

One day the Vrajavasis of

Vrindavana Dham were performing
Indra puja and had already prepared
the ingredients when Krishna, who
was playing the part of a human,
asked, “Oh father, what are you
doing, what’s going on?” Nanda,
who was His father, hesitated and
replied, “Dear son, you are too
young, you will not understand.”
Krishna insisted. Finally Nanda
agreed. He said, “We have been
performing this ritual in worship of
Indra for generations because when
we please him, in reciprocation, he
will give us rain that will water the
grass, then the cows will graze and
with the milk they produce, we make such products as butter and yogurt.” Sketch by Nimai

Krishna said, “Why don’t you worship Govardhana? It provides us water from its beautiful
waterfalls, sweet fruits, grass for our cows, priceless gems and herbs. Take all the ingredients that were
meant to worship Indra and use them for worshiping the brahmanas, cows and Govardhana.” By the
charm of Krishna, they couldn’t refuse and agreed. Immediately, all the people arranged for
Govardhana puja. They made huge quantities of foodstuff and offered it to Govardhana. Krishna to
increase His devotees’ faith assumed Govardhana’s form and accepted all His devotees’ offerings. Every
body was joyful, except Indra the controller of rain. He was furious and called for the Samvartaka
clouds. They annihilate the universe at the end of Brahma’s life. He ordered them, “Drown the whole
of Vrindavana. How dare this human child disturb my worship and induce them to worship a hill? I
will come with you and help destroy Vrindavana.” The clouds were frightened at Indra’s mood. They
immediately started to shower the harsh rains. In a matter of hours, the whole of Vrindavana was
flooded. The Vrajavasis were helpless.
To crush the pride of Indra, Krishna went and lifted Sri Govardhana on the pinky of His left
hand and told them to let Govardhana serve as an umbrella. Krishna does not let His devotees
have even a little pride because then knowingly or unknowingly one commits offences. The
clouds were trying with all their power to blow Govardhana off Krishna’s pinky but they could
not even bend one blade of grass or even blow a particle of dust. Krishna lifted Govardhana for
seven days nonstop. Finally Indra realized who he was dealing with and became fearful. He gave
up and went to the mother of the cows, Surabhi, and asked her if she could ask forgiveness on his
behalf. After pacifying Krishna they started to bathe Him. Airvata, Indra’s elephant carried the
water and Vasuki the king of the serpents decorated Krishna’s throne. After completing the bath
they went back to their abodes. The gopas playfully started to worship Krishna with the
paraphernalia demigods had left behind. Seeing gopas’ love the demigods became humbled. The
elders came back and asked where they had gotten the heavenly paraphernalia. The gopas said
you will not trust us. The elders insisted. Finally the gopas reported this person with a thousand
eyes, a person with 4 heads and a person with snakes all over his body were worshiping Gopal.
We still celebrate this wonder festival of Govardhana puja every year.

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Oct 2006
 My Janamastami Experience
Radhika Patel, Age 13
Every year on Janamastami my friends in Sunday school and I do a dance or something for
Janamastami. This year we started preparing three weeks before Janamastami and everyone worked
really hard including Nitixa Aunty (our teacher who choreographed the whole song). We only had
five practices and everyone put there best effort into doing their best. When the day came to perform,
everyone was trembling. We were all so nervous. As soon as I got on stage, I saw my whole family
including all my cousins smiling at me and all my fears went away. We were so relieved when the
dance was over. Then I stayed back to watch my cousin Arjuna’s play.

After that all of my friends and I went to get food. I always love the french-fries and this year
Sankirtana Yagya Prabhu also made delicious pizza. Later, I went off on my own to watch the next
play. Then, I went to swing Krishna. When I found my cousin, we went to see the play that my
mom participated in. After telling my mom all the parts that she messed up on, we ran over to the
moon bounce and jumped till our feet fell off. Then I got in line to do the abhisheka. We got a
really pretty kalash, a cheese cake (my favorite), a shawl, and a gift (Krishna with Cow). At midnight,
the temple was packed with soooo many people trying to get darshana of Krishna. The lights were
off and the kirtana was blasting really loud. The atmosphere was very festive and people were
jumping with excitement. As we got out I was already looking forward to the next Janamastami.

QUIZ
The Supreme Lord
Aksheetha Sridhar, Age 13 1. What are the reasons we celebrate Diwali?
2. In which month does Diwali occur?
With Lotus-like eyes and a dark blue hue,
3. Why do we celebrate Govardhana Puja?
there the Lord stands in the midst of the forest,
playing a tune on his beloved bamboo flute. 4. Why do we celebrate Dussehra?
The lush forest awakens,
5. Why Yashoda couldn’t tie Lord Krishna?
with the sounds of the flute,
All is calm and in harmony 6. What does “Damodara” mean?
when Lord Krishna is around. 7. How did Lord Rama finally kill Ravana?
He mesmerizes all with the
transcendental melodies of his flute. 8. What is the significance of Dhan-Trayodashi?
Adorned with a fragrant 9. Why did Indra decide to flood Vrindavana?
flower garland and precious gems,
10. How did Krishna show His mercy on Indra?
with a pitamber dhoti
and adorned with a gleaming crown,
topped with a vivid peacock feather. Hare Krsna
Publication &
To everyone He is the life and joy of Vrindavana. Hare Krsna
Layout by:
Doing His many pastimes throughout the land, Krsna Krsna
Lokadhyaksa dasa
but to many He is the Divine Lord, Hare Hare
and Nimai Agar-
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hare Rama
wal. ISKCON
and unto him I pay my obeisance, Hare Rama
Potomac, MD,
as a humble devotee of the Lord. Rama Rama
USA.
lagarwal@yahoo.com Hare Hare

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Oct 2006