Panihati - The Vaishnava Festival

Panihati is coming!! Riverside is calling! Chida Dahi is waiting! Isn't it exciting!!!!

A festival that has within it hidden so many jewels to takeaway for a Vaishnava! 

Let's explore some of the invaluable takeaways from this festival

Approach Krishna only through the Spiritual Master

Before coming to Panihati, Raghunath Dasa Goswami approached Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu twice out of his own accord. When he sees Nityananda Prabhu at Panihati, Nityananda Prabhu calls him a thief for doing this.

So on the spiritual journey first sincerely search out for a spiritual master who will then take you to Krishna

Serving the Vaishnavas

When Nityananda Prabhu caught Raghunatha Dasa Goswami hiding, He punished Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. He said Dasa Goswami to prepare a festival of chipped rice and yoghurt and to distribute it to all His associates and vaishnavas.

 krodhapi devasya varena tulya (Pandava Gita)

It is described that the curse/punishment of God or exalted devotees is equal to a blessing. So Nityananda Prabhu’s punishment was a great blessing to Dasa Goswami. Serving the Vaishnavas is considered to be the greatest fortune for anyone. What then can be said to serve in an assembly containing Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Raghava Pandit and the likes. Raghunatha Dasa Goswami considered this his extreme fortune and served humbly to please everyone gathered there.

The Spiritual Master can engage you in devotional service like none other

Nityananda Prabhu, the AdiGuru Himself, being so merciful, engaged Raghunatha Dasa Goswami in serving the Vaishnavas and later He gave Dasa Goswami permission to be engaged in the Lord’s service.

Taking shelter of the spiritual master and going out of our way to serve the spiritual master is a sure shot way to please the spiritual master. And once we please the spiritual master, we become empowered by the spiritual master to do things we would have never dreamed of!

Please the Spiritual Master to get Krishna

To attain Krishna one has to please the Spiritual Master. No one can circumvent this process. Raghunatha Dasa Goswami served the Vaishnavas so humbly and to the content of the Vaishnavas that Nityananda Prabhu became so pleased with him. Nityananda Prabhu then out of His causeless mercy blessed Raghunatha Dasa Goswami that He is now ready to serve Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Nityananda Prabhu is the most merciful!!

Without any doubt Nityananda Prabhu is considered to be the most merciful incarnation. In one bhajan its said “If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda.If you actually want to approach the association of Radha-Krishna, you must first achieve the mercy of Lord Nityananda. When He is merciful toward you, then you will be able to approach Radha-Krishna. Therefore you should firmly grasp the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda”.

In another bhajan,  Locana Dasa Thakura says, “Whoever has not experienced the awakening of affection for such an avatara as this, that sinful person simply comes and goes uselessly in the cycle of repeated birth and death.”

So the only hope for fallen souls like us, is undoubtedly Lord Nityananda Prabhu. 

Panihati @ISKCONSNGM   

ISKCON HBR Layout is celebrating the Panihati festival this 15th of June, 2025. Please come and be a part of this amazing festival of unlimited Vaishnava association, serving and drowning in Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy. Come and be swept in mercy!DO NOT MISS!