Calculation of Time
The Vaishnava calendar is based on the phases of the moon, which are called Tithi. A standard lunar month has 30 days – fifteen tithis each for the waxing and waning moon.
Dvylika kalendoriaus mėnesių
| Period | Month | Lord's Name |
|---|---|---|
| November – December | Agrahayana | Keshava |
| December – January | Pausha | Narayana |
| January – February | Magha | Madhava |
| February – March | Phalguna | Govinda |
| March – April | Chaitra | Vishnu |
| April – May | Vaishakha | Madhusudana |
| May – June | Jyeshtha | Trivikrama |
| June – July | Ashadha | Vamana |
| July – August | Shravana | Shridhara |
| August – September | Bhadra | Hrishikesha |
| September – October | Ashvina | Padmanabha |
| October – November | Kartika | ✨ Damodara |
Ekadashi
Of the entire calendar, the most important days are Ekadashi. They are especially important for Vaishnavas, because the day of Ekadashi is Krishna Himself. This day is especially favorable for spiritual advancement.
Appearance of Sri Ekadashi (Story about Papa-purusha)
This story is from the 14th chapter of the Padma Purana, "Kriya-sagara-sara", narrated by Vyasadeva.
In the beginning of creation, the Lord created a being whose form was the embodiment of sin – Papa-purusha. His body parts were made of the most terrible sins: head from killing a brahmana, eyes from intoxicants, mouth from theft, etc. This being caused suffering to all sinners.
However, Lord Vishnu, seeing the suffering living beings in Yamaraja's abode, felt compassion. From Himself He manifested the day of Ekadashi. All who observed Ekadashi were liberated.
Papa-purusha, seeing that Ekadashi was destroying his influence, prayerfully addressed the Lord: "O Lord, I have fled and hidden everywhere, but I cannot find a place where I do not fear Ekadashi. If I perish, who will support Your pastimes on earth?".
The Lord replied: "I will designate a place for you. On Ekadashi day you may hide within food made from grains. There Ekadashi will not touch you".
That is why one should not eat grains on Ekadashi – because on that day all sins (Papa-purusha) enter into grains.
⚔️ Slayer of Demons (Story about Mura)
In Satya Yuga there lived a terrible demon Mura, who terrorized even the demigods. When Indra complained, Lord Vishnu went to battle. The battle lasted for one thousand celestial years. Finally, the Lord, as if fatigued, went to rest in the cave of Badarikashrama.
Mura followed Him, thinking to kill the sleeping Lord. But suddenly from Vishnu's chest appeared a young, radiant girl, armed with many weapons. She defeated Mura and cut off his head.
Waking up, Vishnu saw the dead demon and the girl bowing down. He asked: "Who are you?". She replied: "I am Your energy, born from Your pure consciousness, to kill this demon".
"O Lord, give me the power to liberate from the greatest sins that person who fasts on this day."
The Lord said: "Since you appeared on the eleventh day of the waning moon, your name will be Ekadashi. If a person fasts on Ekadashi day, I will burn all his sins and grant him My abode."
Complete fasting
Strictly speaking – only water. Gives full benefit.
Until sunset
One fasting until sunset will get half the benefit.
Until noon
One fasting until noon will get one fourth.
Ekadaši taisyklės
❌ Forbidden Foods
- All grains (rice, wheat, oats...)
- All beans and peas
- Tomatoes, eggplants, cauliflowers
- Leafy vegetables
- Corn and grain starch
- Oils made from grains
- Honey
✅ Allowed Foods
- All fruits (fresh and dried)
- All nuts and their oils
- Potatoes, pumpkin, cucumbers
- Buckwheat
- Coconut
- All dairy products
- Sugar
⏰ Ekadashi Timing
Ekadashi begins at brahma muhurta (96 minutes before sunrise) and ends the next day at sunrise. On the following day (Dvadashi), after sunrise, one must eat grains – this is called parana.
Incarnations of Krishna
All incarnations of Krishna are equal, but some of them are considered special. The main incarnations of Krishna are Krishna, Rama, Nrisimha.
Krishna janmashtami
August-September
Rama Navami
March-April
Nrisimha Chaturdashi
April-May
Gaudiya Vaishnava Festivals
Vaishnava Appearance and Disappearance
Unlike materialists, devotees celebrate not only the appearance of acharyas, but also their disappearance. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura says:
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die,
When thou art living still in sound!
The Vaishnavas die to live,
And living try to spread the holy name around."
Celebrated Vaishnava Days
📅 Fasting Rules
- On Vaishnava appearance days – fast until noon
- On Vishnu tattva appearance days – until noon
- On days of main avatars – until sunset or midnight
- According to Vaishnava calendar there are no two fasting days in a row
Self-Check Questions
- Why do devotees celebrate festivals?
- Mention the most important festivals in the Vaishnava calendar?
- Why do devotees observe Ekadashi vows?
- Mention what rules apply during Ekadashi?