Two Ways To Experience The Big Event

“Ekadashi, Janmashtami, Vamana-dvadashi, Rama-navami and Narasimha-chaturdashi should all be observed.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 24.341)

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एकादशी। जन्माष्टमी। वामन-द्वादशी
श्री-राम-नवमी। आर नृसिंह-चतुर्दशी

ekādaśī, janmāṣṭamī, vāmana-dvādaśī
śrī-rāma-navamī, āra nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī

1. Watching from home

“Did I see the game last night? I had it on, for sure, but kind of in the background. I was on my laptop the entire time. I was sort of distracted by other issues. Okay, to tell you the truth, I was shopping. My clothes are starting to wear out. I think I need a whole new wardrobe for work. Anyway, the game looked exciting. It went into double-overtime. I promise that next time I will pay better attention.”

2. Attending in person

“Oh my goodness, that was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was surprised that my spouse and child did not want to leave. They never sit through an entire game when we are at home. They loved being part of the scene, sitting with thousands of other people. They sung along with the music playing during the breaks. I can’t wait to go to more games in the future.”

…

We have eliminated dogmatic insistence from the equation. This is not playing on anyone’s fears. This is not based on a threat, that failure to comply on this single opportunity will mean eternal suffering as a consequence. We also do not require a specific affiliation. There are many branches descending from the original tree. The system of parampara is not limited to a single individual and their descendants. Anyone with a link to the origin of all, the adi-guru, is bona fide. We can approach them for guidance and begin our journey, through the second birth, back to Godhead.

तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

The issue today is that someone wonders why there are so many celebrations. The constant need for festivities. There is no equivalent of Christmas in this tradition precisely because the person being worshiped is unborn, aja. He is also unlimited in His glories, ananta. He appears in this world every now and then, according to His timeline, based on parameters that He sets, but this does not mean His presence is limited to those instances. He can be found in any country, in any space, and even in any planet.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
ग्लानिर् भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य
तदात्मानं सृजाम्य् अहम्

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.7)

Someone wants to know why there are so many special days on the calendar. Why are people dressing up nicely and attending a gathering to celebrate the appearance of Shri Krishna, for instance? Why is Rama Navami so special to them? Why do they fast on days like Gaura Purnima, which celebrates the golden avatara of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? Why the need to assemble at all? Why not just worship at home? It is about consciousness, is it not? If this is yoga, in the manner of bhakti, then why does attendance matter?

The above reviewed hypothetical situations show that sometimes a simple change in venue can increase alertness. We have the same activity in both cases, but there is the greater potential for distraction in one setting. In the other setting, with others of a like mind, where shifting here and there violates the etiquette of the establishment, the patron is almost compelled to pay attention. They have the same opportunity for focus in a more humble setting, but they might not be as energetic.

सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां
यतन्तश् च दृढ-व्रताः
नमस्यन्तश् च मां भक्त्या
नित्य-युक्ता उपासते

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.14)

In Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna describes how saintly people are always chanting His glories. They are always discussing Him. They never tire of such activities. It might be that they feel most alive when participating in such a manner. They have the chance when at home, by themselves. They may offer worship at timely intervals, but then they also relish the opportunity to gather together with others. Nityotsava is the concept of an infinitely extending celebration. This can only apply to the one who is nava-yauvanam, in always appearing fresh and new.

मच्-चित्ता मद्-गत-प्राणा
बोधयन्तः परस्परम्
कथयन्तश् च मां नित्यं
तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca

“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.9)

In Closing:

Always celebrating are you,
The one fresh and new.

In appearance and age,
Steady at center stage.

At home the same can apply,
But then too lazy to try.

With others alive and ready,
Focused in connection steady.