Garga Bhagavatham : Maadhurya khanda - Chapter 15

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Maidens of Barhishmati appear as Gopis and participate in Raas with Bhagawan; Introduction to Yamuna Panchaanga in the conversation of  King Mandhaata and Sage Sowbhari

Sri Narada says:- King! In Shonapur of Vraj, the Lord Nand was very wealthy. Lord of Mithila! He had five thousand wives. Out of their wombs, the companions, of Sri Lakshmi, who emerged from the ocean were born as daughters, by the boon given to them by Bhagawan in His 'Matsayavatar'. Lord of Kings! Other than them, many kinds of flora which appeared by tapping of the earth there also got the form of gopikas. The women of Barhishmathi town, who had the boon of king Prithu also appeared in the caste of gopis and by the boon of Nara Narayana, Apsaras also appeared in the form of gopis. Feminine demons who lived in Sutala, by the boon of Vaamana and the daughters of the Kings of Serpents, by the boon of Bhagawan Sesha were born in Vraj. Sage Durvasa had given them the divine 'Krishnaa Panchanga'(almanac), with the help of that, they worshipped the Yamuna and attained Sri Pathi in the form of their bridegroom. One day, on the divine banks of Yamuna, clusters of trees were looking beautiful with male cuckoo birds. The entire place was reverberating with the sounds of the humming of bees and the sweet sounds of cuckoo birds and cranes. It was covered with Vaasanthi creepers and the cool, aromatic breeze was blowing, in the spring season.

     Under the Kadamba trees which resembled Kalpavrikshas, in a remote place, Sri Hari started the celebration of Jhoolan-leela. That place was filled with the soothing sounds of the elevated waves of Yamuna. Those Gopi girls, who were immersed in the bliss of love, were playing the game of swinging with Sri Hari. Just like Rathi's husband Kamadev glows with Rathi, in the same manner, along with the brilliant and extolled, Sri Radha in Vrindavan, Sri Krishna was glowing. How can the tenacity of those who attained Paripoornatam Son of Nand, Sri Krishna in this manner be described? All the beautiful daughters of the kings of serpents were present in the worship of Sri Balbhadra Hari during the lovely month of Chaitra on the banks of Yamuna. King! In this way, I have narrated the history of Gopikas to you which is most auspicious and will take away all sins. Now, what do you wish to hear further? 

Bahulashwa says:- Sage! Lord! What is the Panchang(almanac) of Sri Yamuna that was given by Durvasa by which the gopis could attain Govind? Please describe this to me. 

Sri Narada says:- King! In this matter, learned men give an example of ancient history, by merely listening to this all sins will be washed away. In Ayodhya, there was an overlord of the town called Maandhaata who was like a jewel in the crown. One day he went out for hunting and while wandering, reached the beautiful hermitage of sage Sowbhari. His ashram was situated on the lovely banks of the Yamuna river in Vrindavan. There paying obeisance to his son in law sage Sowbhari, Maandhaata said thus.

 Maandhaata said:- Bhagawan! You truly know everything, you are the very best among all learned people, you are like a second Sun for all those who are engulfed in the darkness of ignorance. Please tell me quickly, a means by which I can make a kingdom in this world which will replete with all accomplishments and then attain Bhagawan Sri Krishna in the other world. 

Sowbhari said:- King! I will describe to you about the Panchang of Sri Yamuna, which will always give all accomplishments and provide the means of attaining Sri Krishna. This instrument will bestow a kingdom spanning from the point where the sun rises until the point where the sun sets and also attract Sri Krishna. Lord of Suryavamsh! Listen carefully! There are five Angas (parts) that are recommended by learned men. They are Kavacha (shield) of any Devata, Stotra (prayer), Sahasranaama( thousand names), Patala, and Paddati (procedure).    

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