Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

First of all, I offer my dandavat pranams to asmadiya paramaradhya guru padapadma,

Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Swami Ashtottara-Shata Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Srila Vamana Goswami Maharaja,

Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Swami Ashtottara-Shata Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Srila Narayana Goswami Maharaja,

Srila Trivikrama Goswami Maharaja,

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada, and all our beloved Guru-varga.

Then, I offer my pranams and welcome all the assembled mahanayak and devotees.

In this world, whenever we begin any new auspicious work, certain auspicious dates (tithis) are considered very important. Among these, Akshaya Tritiya, Vasant Panchami, and Vijaya Dashami are such occasions where there is no need to consult a nakshatra (constellation) or seek a special muhurta (auspicious time). Especially on Akshaya Tritiya, there is absolutely no need to find an auspicious time — every moment of that day is naturally auspicious.

Now, why is it called Akshaya Tritiya?

“Kshaya” means “decay” or “diminishment”, and “A” is a negation—so Akshaya means that which is never diminished or exhausted.

In this material world, everything is temporary and perishable. However, Akshaya Tritiya is unique—it is eternal, and its benefits are imperishable. There is no “kshaya” (diminishment) associated with it.

Gurudeva has spoken about Akshaya Tritiya many times, and I had noted down some of his lectures. I am sharing a few points with you all:

Across the world, there are four famous dhams — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — all situated in the Himalayan ranges. Other sacred places like Jagannath Puri or Setubandh Rameshwaram are extremely holy but are not included among these four Himalayan dhams.

In the Himalayan range in Uttarakhand, these 4 dhams are famous. Among these, Badrinath and Kedarnath are especially significant because their doors are ceremonially opened on Akshaya Tritiya.

Sometimes, due to heavy snowfall covering the temples, there is a slight delay of a day or two because the snow needs to be cleared. Otherwise, traditionally, Badrinath’s doors open first, and 5 or 6-10 days later, Kedarnath’s doors open.

Now, many people claim, “I am an atheist; I only believe in science.” To these friends, I humbly pose a question:

If you are so scientific, please explain — when Kartik Purnima passes and heavy snowfall begins, the priests dress the deity of the Lord, place Tulasi leaves at His lotus feet, light a diya (lamp), close the doors, and leave.

During the six months when the temple remains covered in snow, the pratibhu vigraha (representative deity) is taken to another Matha (temple) where regular worship continues.

But after six months, when the snow melts and the temple doors are reopened — It looks as if just now someone placed fresh Tulasi leaves at the Lord’s feet! The lamp is still glowing!

Thus, to my so-called scientist brothers, I remind them: “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

Maybe due to covered snow the Tulsi leaves remain fresh, as a debate I accept this but the tulasi leaf doesn’t appear like this in snow, it should be frozen. Okay, I accept that the tulsi leaf would be frozen and remain fresh. But who lit the ghee diya? For 6 months who supplied ghee and oil to the diya? When it is covered by snow and lack of oxygen it should extinguish. After 6 months how does the lamp still light up? Who gives oil or ghee in it?

And when the temple opens whoever sees that lamp is very lucky. In the shastras it’s written that for 6 months the demigods worship there and 6 months humans.

I hope you understand my points. When we keep something in the fridge for deep freezing it gets bad and hard, which we call frozen in English. But that tulsi leaf must be frozen but it is like it was just now offered as fresh. As a debate I accept that but how would the lit lamp be alive for 6 months?

On this day—on this very tithi—demigods worship for six months and humans for six months.

Today, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, both Satya Yuga and Treta Yuga are said to have begun. It is also on this day that our Param Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Pragyan Keshav Goswami Maharaj, established the Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti in Kolkata. Among the founding members was Narottamananda Prabhu, who later came to be known as Srila Bhakti Kamal Madhusudan Goswami Maharaj.

Narottamananda Prabhu met Trivikram Maharaj in 1942. Inspired by Param Gurudev’s harikatha, Trivikram Maharaj joined the mission. Later, in 1946, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Goswami Maharaj also joined after hearing the harikatha. This is why we are eternally indebted to Srila Bhakti Kamal Madhusudan Goswami Maharaj—because it was through his inspiration that these two great personalities came to the matha.

Another notable presence at that time was Abhaycharan Prabhu, who later became Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, the one who spread Krishna Consciousness across the entire world. Along with him was Sajjan Sevak Brahmachari, who later became Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Goswami Maharaj, our most revered Param Adharya Gurupad Padma. These three personalities were all present at the opening ceremony of Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti alongside Param Gurudev.

Also on Akshaya Tritiya, the five Pandavas and Draupadi Devi, after worshipping Suryadev, were blessed with a divine gift—the Akshaya Patra. Suryadev told them, “With this vessel, whatever food you prepare and offer to Krishna can feed the entire universe. No matter who comes, you will be able to serve them. But once Draupadi eats, and the vessel is cleaned and set aside, food will not be available again until the next sunrise. The next day, once you cook and offer it to Krishna again, the food will once more become inexhaustible.”

During their exile, the Pandavas were residing in a forest when Durvasa Rishi, while traveling, came to Duryodhana’s kingdom with his 60,000 disciples. Duryodhana honored them lavishly with food and service. Pleased, Durvasa said, “Dear son, ask me for a boon.” Duryodhana replied, “I don’t want any boon.” But Durvasa insisted, saying, “You must accept something.”

Finally, to avoid offending the sage, Duryodhana said, “If you insist, I’ll ask for a small favor. We live in prosperity, but my cousins—after losing in gambling—are wandering through forests in hardship. Please visit them as guests… but go after 3 p.m.”

Why did he say that? Everyone knew that Draupadi had the Akshaya Patra, which she received on Akshaya Tritiya, but she ate before 3 p.m. After that time, she could no longer serve food. Duryodhana plotted that if Durvasa arrived with 60,000 disciples after that time, and they weren’t fed, they would curse the Pandavas and destroy them—without Duryodhana being blamed.

Durvasa Rishi is known as an avatar of anger, but why does he become angry? His anger is not without purpose. It is often to reveal the glory of the devotees (bhakta), their devotion (bhakti), and the greatness of Bhagavan. His role is to test and ultimately glorify the Lord’s devotees.

At that time, Draupadi was resting, and the five Pandavas were sitting outside, joyfully engaged in discussing Krishna’s glories. Suddenly, Durvasa Rishi arrived and called out, “Yudhishthir! Yudhishthir!” The Pandavas immediately offered him pranams. He said, “I am your guest, and serving a guest is the highest dharma of a householder. Therefore, please arrange prasadam for me and my disciples.”

Yudhishthir respectfully replied, “As you command.”

At this moment, I’m reminded of something about Gurudev.

In 1998, after the Navadwip Parikrama, Gurudev said,

“My head feels very light now.”

We bathed in the Ganga and Gurudev used to enjoy bathing in the Ganga, Yamuna, and sea beach.

However, water had entered both his ears during the bath. The very next day, we had to travel to London. After two days, Gurudev’s ears became blocked, and he couldn’t hear anything. So, we took him to a doctor in London.

There’s a very large building there where every floor is filled with doctors’ chambers. The doctors have multiple back entrances, but patients enter only through the main front entrance. When you ring the bell, someone speaks through the intercom and asks, “Which doctor did you make an appointment with? What is his name?” After confirming, they give you the room number, and the door opens.

We followed the process and entered. When we met the doctor, he charged £1700 for the treatment. But we only had £1300 with us, so we paid that much. The doctor said,

“Tomorrow, before entering the operation theatre, you must pay the remaining £400. Otherwise, I won’t perform the operation.”

As we were leaving, Gurudev said,

“I need to use the washroom for nature’s call.”

Brajnath Prabhu offered to assist and went along with Gurudev.

An elderly mataji was on the counter, about 70 years old, hunched over with age. I asked her for the washroom, and she kindly showed us the direction. I asked Brajnath Prabhu to take Gurudev there.

Then the mataji asked me, “Where are you from?”

I replied, “We are Indian monks.”

She asked, “What is your work?”

I answered, “We are guests. And service to guests is the best—whether East or West.”

She paused, surprised. “What did you say? What did you say?” she asked again.

Just then, Gurudev returned. I said to Brajnath Prabhu,

“Please take Gurudev with you; this mataji wants to talk to me.”

He took Gurudev.

The mataji repeated, “What did you say before?”

I said again, “You’re already this aged, why are you still working?”

She smiled and replied, “I’d rather work here than sit in a room squeezing apple juice all day.”

Then she asked, “How much did they charge you?”

I said, “£1700.”

She was shocked. “So much? For Indian monks?! Wait! I will shoot him! I’ll teach that doctor a lesson!”

She had been working there for 50 years, and everyone in the building respected her like a mother. Though she was physically bent and couldn’t stand straight, she went rushing toward the reception area.

There, a 17–18-year-old secretary girl was present. The mataji scolded her so severely that the girl started crying. There was no doctor in sight at that time, so the mataji firmly said, “£1700 for monks? Cut the remaining £400 immediately!”

With her own hands, she adjusted the account and returned.

She came to me and said,

“Monk! I’m very, very sorry.”

I asked, “What happened, Mataji?”

She said, “The doctor has left. You were the last patient. I’ve removed the £400—you no longer have to pay the remaining balance.”

Then she said again, “Tell me… tell me once more what you said before.”

I repeated it:

“We are your guests, and service to the guest is best—whether East or West.”

Soon Gurudev came and asked, “Navin, what did you say to her? How did they remove the £400?”

I told him what happened, and Gurudev laughed heartily.

He loved this story and used to tell it many times.

In the same way that Durvasa Rishi came and said, “We are your guests,”—it reminds us of the principle “Atithi Devo Bhava”: the guest is to be treated as God. Serving guests is the sacred dharma of every householder.

But who is truly a guest (atithi)?

Someone who comes without informing, without considering tithi (date) or nakshatra (astrological timing)—such a person is called an atithi. If someone is invited—whether by call, message, or email—then they are not truly an atithi. A real guest comes unexpectedly, without any prior notice.

So, Durvasa Rishi, with his thousands of disciples, went to take a bath. Meanwhile, the Pandavas were panicking.

“What should we do now? If we were in our kingdom, we could have arranged food. Now we must call Madhusudan (Krishna).”

They said, “If we call Him, He will definitely come—but when? We don’t know. But if Draupadi calls Him, He will come immediately. Let’s go tell Draupadi.”

They went to Draupadi and explained the situation. She replied,

“Today, I have nothing. But tomorrow—be it 60,000 or 6 million—I will feed everyone.”

They said, “That is only possible if we survive today. Durvasa Rishi’s anger could turn us into ashes. Please… call Krishna now!”

She folded her hands and prayed:

“Hey Govind raksha sharan, ab toh jivan Haree… Hey Govind raksha sharan…”

(O Govind, protect me! I surrender to You. My life is in Your hands…)

People say, “We call Krishna, but He doesn’t come.”

But you don’t call Krishna the way Draupadi did.

Suddenly, Krishna appeared.

“Draupadi! Draupadi! I’m very hungry! Please give me something to eat!”

Draupadi said, “Prabhu…”

But Krishna interrupted, “No, leave everything else. First feed Me. Why did you call Me if you had nothing to offer? I’m very hungry.”

Draupadi tried to explain, “I’ve already washed the dishes and kept them aside.”

Krishna said, “Bring them here.”

When they brought the Akshaya Patra, they found a single grain sticking inside. Krishna took that grain, drank some water, and said:

“Tripta asmi, tripta asmi. I am completely satisfied. I am completely satisfied.”

If Krishna is satisfied, everyone is satisfied.

As Raghunath Das Goswami once said to Radharani,

“If You are not pleased, what is the point of the whole world being pleased? But if You are pleased, then the entire universe is satisfied.”

In the same way, when Krishna was satisfied, the entire universe became full. His belly was full, and so were the bellies of Durvasa Rishi and his disciples—even though they hadn’t eaten a single bite.

Then Krishna asked, “So, what did you want to tell Me? Why did you call Me?”

Draupadi explained everything.

Krishna smiled and said, “That’s all? Alright, now go and invite your guests.”

Bhima was ready to go.

Krishna said, “Middle brother, don’t just walk casually. You are a Kshatriya (warrior). Kshatriyas always go prepared—with weapons.”

He handed him a gada (mace) and said,

“Take this in one hand, and with the other, adjust your moustache like a true warrior.”

Bhima went boldly to the riverside and called out,

“Rishivar! Rishivar!”

Meanwhile, as Krishna had said “Tripta asmi”, something miraculous happened.

Durvasa Rishi suddenly clutched his stomach and said,

“Children… what is this? I feel like I’ve eaten so much, I can’t move!”

His disciples replied, “Guruji, we’re feeling the same! Our bellies are bursting!”

Just then, they heard Bhima’s thunderous voice echoing from a distance.

Among all the Pandavas, Bhima’s voice was the loudest and the most terrifying.

The disciples cried, “He’s coming with his mace! Our heads will be crushed!”

They panicked. Some ran, some jumped, some flew into the sky, and others leapt into the water.

By the time Bhima reached the riverbank, there was no one left.

He called out again, but the louder he called, the faster the sages ran.

Bhima returned and Krishna asked,

“Why are you smiling? And where are your guests?”

Bhima replied,

“Gone! They’re all gone! I don’t know where they went!”

They were so full, it felt like their stomachs would burst.

Now, let me mention a story of my paramgurdev-Srila Bhakti Pragyana Keshava Goswami Maharaj:

In 1954, on the day of anakuta, Mathura matha was inaugurated. There were all our three guruvargas and many more, and Paramgurudev fed everyone very much. There were 2 small rooms and in them were kathori, laddus and other items. All pandas were also invited and when they were fed so much, after returning they said, “He fed us so much that there’s no room even for a digestive tablet!” They came and ate and also took prasad and while returning they were saying this.

Draupadi told Duryodhan: “Like father, like son. The son of a blind man is also blind.” Duryodhana, stung by her remark, vowed to take revenge.

When Pandavas lost in the dice game, Duryodhana ordered a servant to fetch Draupadi. She asked the servant upon his arrival, “Did Yudhishthira stake himself before staking me?” The servant responded, “Yudhishthira’s losses were sequential: he lost himself first, followed by Bheem, Arjun, Nakula, Sahadeva, and lastly, he staked you.” Draupadi argued that according to the rules of the dice game, if the king loses himself first he cannot stake another person.

The servant returned and informed Duryodhana that Draupadi was instructing him on the rules of the game. He became enraged and ordered her to be brought forcefully to the assembly. Draupadi pleaded, “As your elder sister-in-law, I am just like your mother and I’m worthy of respect. Given my current state of menstruation, please don’t touch me. I refuse to go to the assembly.” However, Duryodhana disregarded her plea and dragged her to the assembly by her hair.

Draupadi looked at Dhritarashtra, but what could a person blind from birth do? She then turned to Bhishma, who hung his head in shame. Even Guru Dronacharya and Kripa Acharya bowed their heads. Finally, she gazed at Bhima and Arjuna, who stood firm, gripping their Gandiva (bow) and gada.

Duryodhana taunted the Pandavas, saying “You are my slaves now; sit down.” Yudhishthira retorted, “Wait and watch! Only time will tell,” and told the brothers to calm down and wait.

With no other option left, Draupadi cried out to Krishna for help, chanting, “Hey Govind, Rakh Sharan, ab toh jeevan haare; Hey Govind, Raghav Sharan, ab toh jeevan haare. Hey Govind, Rakh Sharan.” Then what happened? “Saree khiche dushasana to saree barhaye shyam.”

Dushasana, possessing the strength of 10,000 elephants, grew weary while attempting to unravel Draupadi’s saree. Yet, despite his immense power, the saree seemed to have no end.

In today’s world horsepower is primarily used to express mechanical power, not elephant power. In Dwapur yuga the power was calculated based on elephant power. So, on this very day of Akshaya Tritiya, Draupadi’s shame was saved by Krishna.

Right now, it’s the world of computer science. When computers first came, to print a book in Mathura, a file was transferred from one computer to another by connecting a wire. Slowly, time passed and technology became advanced. Now, a file can be transferred from one corner of the earth to another without delay. But what happens is that this is only a soft copy, not a hard copy.

This technology did not come from an American or British brain, but from an Indian brain. Think about what happened during the incident of Draupadi’s disrobing — from where was the cloth coming? Where was Krishna supplying it from? No one was looking at Krishna, yet the cloth never finished. How was this not like wireless file transfer, practical and real? Both soft copy and hard copy were manifested. Could any American do this today?

See how advanced Indian technology was at that time! Today, we cannot even imagine it. At that time, the cloth did not get torn into pieces; it just kept coming endlessly. Try replicating that now — we can create soft copies but not endless hard copies like that.

Now look at what Krishna did when he interacted with the gopis. He once said, “I am the supreme religious person; I respect and save women’s shame.” The Gopis replied, “Oh really? You are very wise — at six days old, you killed a demoness (Putana), and you also stole our clothes when we were teenagers.”

Krishna replied, “No, no. Paurna Masi has told me that in some yuga I saved a queen named Draupadi from being disrobed.”

Gopis told, “Oh really! You cheater! You are black inside and outside. Don’t talk nonsense! Paurna Masi has told us that you saved Draupadi by giving her stolen saree from us!”

Krishna was confused, “Stolen saree? No, I have never done this!”

Gopis said, “Paurna Masi has personally told us that you used our stolen saree to save her.”

Krishna then asked, “How is this possible?!”

Gopis told, “When someone keeps stolen goods, they think, ‘If I sell it for any price, it’s fine; I just want to get some profit out of it.’ So, if someone cannot even sell stolen goods then they donate it for a good cause to look good to the public as charity.”

Krishna said, “No, no this is not the case. You all are liars!”

Gopis asked Krishna, “Tell us, are you a boy or a girl?” Krishna answered proudly, “The world knows I am not only a male but purushottam—the best of men and supreme enjoyer. And you all are females.” Gopis agreed, “Okay, so you are male.”

Krishna replied, “Yes, of course I’m male!”

Then gopis questioned, “Do you wear dhoti or saree?”

Krishna said, “What type of question is this? Don’t you see I’m wearing dhoti!”

Gopis then questioned, “To save Draupadi you gave her saree or dhoti? You did not wear saree only dhoti! So, that means you stole our clothes and gave it to Draupadi!”

This is how Gopis defeat Krishna.

Now, coming to food items, among all grains, the most nutritious is jeu, which is still called ‘barley’ in English today. On this very tithi (date), barley was created. That is why, in Braj and other places, Thakurji (Krishna) is offered barley sattu on this day.

The Kshatriyas at this time were creating a lot of ruckus. Parashurama, one of the Dashavataras (the ten avatars of Vishnu), had destroyed the earth’s oppressive rulers 21 times. Parashurama’s birthday also falls on this date.

From today, the Chandan Yatra also begins, where Thakurji is adorned with sandalwood paste. This Chandan Yatra started from this tithi itself. Our Purva Acharya (previous spiritual teachers), like Madhavendra Puri, who is the seed of loving devotion (prema bhakti) in Govardhan, north of Govinda Kund, there is a place called Gopal Prakat Sthan. There is still a resonating stone. Those who haven’t been there can see it when they go for parikrama. You need to go a little north from Govind Kund. If you speak from one side, it can be heard on the other side. When we go there, we have fun like this. Out of fear of the Mlechhas (muslims), the pujari had hidden Thakurji in the bushes and left. Thakurji appeared in Madhavendra Puri’s dream. Why? Madhavendra Puri never asked anyone for anything—if he got something, fine, and if not, he was already fasting.

What is Krishna’s rule?

ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate

teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham

Madhavendra Puri is a one-pointed devotee, so what happened? Krishna came and said, “Baba! Baba! Why don’t you beg for alms? Does anyone in our Braj stay hungry? Baba, are you thinking how I know? The women of my village come to fetch water for the whole village. The mothers told me you have been chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare for hours? Aren’t you hungry? You can’t do bhajan while hungry.”

Baba wasn’t paying attention.

Then what happened? Krishna offered milk in a small clay pot and said, “Baba! Look, my mother sent this milk. When your chanting is complete, drink the milk.” Baba wasn’t paying attention. So Krishna said, “Baba! I can’t stay. I have to go back or my mother will scold me! I will come later and take back the pot!”

The child left. A Vraj child.

Now Madhavendra Puri’s chanting pastimes, which were flowing like a movie reel, suddenly stopped. Madhavendra Puri thought, “What’s happening? The boy’s voice is still echoing in my ears? He was a Vraja Vasi child, so I’ll drink the milk.”

That Vraja Vasi child is the son of Yasoda Maiya and Nanda Baba, who could be more Vraj Vasi than them?

As soon as he drank the milk, he experienced the eight ecstatic symptoms—he started trembling, tears came to his eyes, he couldn’t speak, then he thought, “Ah! The thief came and tricked me. But he said he will come back, so he will definitely come!”

Madhavendra Puri thought, “Today I will not sleep.” But Yoga Maya put him to sleep.

“Baba! See, I told you I would come back and I have! I am the deity of this village. My pujari left me here out of fear of the Mlechhas! I was waiting for you to come and serve me. Take me out from the bushes.”

Madhavendra Puri woke up, “Oh! I fell asleep?”

The next day, with the help of villagers, he cut the bushes and took Thakurji out. He bathed him with water from Govinda Kund, applied ghee to make him shine, and cleaned him completely! The festival lasted for 1 month. Big businessmen came from Mathura too. King Parikshit had brought these businessmen from Delhi and settled them in Mathura along with monkeys. This is written in the scriptures.

Then Krishna told him, “Madhav! For so many days because of the anakuta festival my stomach is full but the burning from the clay isn’t going away!”

Madhavendra Puri asked, “Prabhu, what should I do?”

Krishna said, “Go to Jagannath Puri and bring chandan and kapur, then grind it and apply it on me and my body will be pacified.” Then Madhvender Puri gave service of deity to brahmans and left. While going he reached Remuna where Khir Chora Gopinath is there now. At first His name was Gopinath. When Lord Ramachandra, the maryada purushottam bhagvan, came there, he started smiling. Sita Devi asked, “What happened prabhu? Why are you laughing?” Lord Ram said, “No, no reason.” She asked, “No there must be some reason. If someone is mad then he laughs on his own, and if many people laugh without understanding anything, he also starts laughing, and if there is some topic which happened prior then he’ll remember it and laugh. Among these three, which is your reason?” He said, “Not even one.” “Then why are you laughing?” He said, “In the upcoming Dwapar yuga I’ll perform a lila (pastime) that I’m remembering.” She asked, “Which lila (pastime)?” Then Lord Ramachandra drew the outline of Gopinath with his arrow. Gopinath is there because of Lord Rama. His name was Gopinath but he stole kheer for Madhavendra Puri, then his name happened to be ‘Khir Chora Gopinath’.

Then Madhavendra Puri left while returning from Puri. When he reached Remuna again, Gopinath told him, “You’re so aged and carried such a heavy load, I’m not able to bear it. Do one thing, me and Gopinath are one, Our body is one, right there you grind the chandan and mix it with kapur and apply it on Gopinath, then my body will also be pacified in Braj.” When he came everyone was saying, “Madhavendra Puri! Madhavendra Puri! Gopinath stole kheer for him.” Because Gopinath stole kheer for Madhavendra Puri, his name became ‘Khir Chora Gopinath’.

So from today’s date, Akshaya Tritiya, they start applying chandan for 21 days. Then Madhavendra Puri was not able to return back, that’s why his deity which was given to brahmans for seva, due to being of Vishnu Swami sampraday, they took Thakurji. Why? Because Krishna wanted to take service from them. Why did Krishna want to take their service? Questioning will not do because it is Krishna’s will.

From today’s date for 21 days we apply chandan to Krishna.

On today’s date in Jagannath Puri, Jagannath Ji does nauka vihar for 21 days. In Narendra Sarovar and Chandan Sarovar the boats will come, and in those boats come deities of Madan Mohan along with 5 Shivjis. Shivji is a very big security force. Even now, the highest security in the world doesn’t match him. In every world there is Shiv Ji—in Rama dhama there is Shiv Ji, in Krishna dhama there is Shiv Ji. Look, four Shivas are in four corners and in the boat is Loknath Mahadev.

I’ll tell you something related to this. Gurudev Srila Narayan Goswami Maharaj when was in police service, at that time and now also the shifts of police are changed like morning 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 10 pm, 10 pm to 6 am, it shifts in these 3 timings.

Gurudev’s shift changed and it was at night, 10 pm to 6 am. His office was walking distance so he thought, “Let me first do harinam (chanting) and then I’ll go.” While chanting he forgot that he had to go to office. Now it was 4:30 in the morning. While chanting he forgot, “Oh Ram Ram Ram I forgot to go to office. An inspector was going to come. I have come for hobby and I have many lands so I’m not worried, he won’t hang me to death.” So he went to office and asked his colleagues and friends, “Friends what happened today? Did the inspector come?” They said, “Oh Tiwari ji don’t put salt on the wound!”

If someone has a cut wound and you put salt or chili powder on it, how will it feel? It will never feel good.

So Srila Gurudev’s (Srila Narayan Maharaj) friends said, “Hey Tiwari ji! You are putting chili powder and salt on this fresh wound. If you want to joke, wait for 2-4 days! This just happened today.”

Srila Gurudev said, “But I did not come for duty.”

His friends replied, “Do you think we don’t recognize you? You smartly saluted us. Inspector even wrote ‘highly recommended for promotion’ in your service book. No one else got a promotion, so you’re joking about it? Wait a few days, brother!”

Srila Gurudev insisted, “Friends, I was not there.”

His friends responded, “You are a Brahmin boy and you are lying?”

Then a friend brought the attendance book and showed it to Srila Gurudev saying, “Tiwari Ji, did you sign this or did we forge it?”

Seeing this, Srila Gurudev said, “Seeing this brought tears to my eyes. I do not want to continue this job anymore.”

ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate

teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham

This is an example of teṣhāṁ – the Lord protects what one already has.

Who is Annapurna Devi? She prepares food in heaven, and today is her appearance day. The Lord gives her great respect. All the demigods asked, “Why does the Lord give so much respect to Annapurna Devi? What is the reason?”

The Lord said, “Annapurna, do not prepare food for some time. Remain quiet. Do not cook until I tell you to.”

Time passed – Time, Tide and Death wait for none. The demigods began to feel hungry. When Surya Devta (Sun God) felt the heat, he said, “I cannot open my eyes now.” Vayu Devta (Wind God) said, “I cannot breathe.” All the demigods started experiencing different problems due to lack of food. And how long could they sleep without eating?

Then the Lord signaled Annapurna to prepare food again. She quickly made and served it, and after eating, the demigods regained their strength.

Then the Lord said, “Did you see now? Do you understand why I have so much affection for her? She keeps you fresh and feeds you.”

Once there was a new son-in-law going to his in-laws’ house. In those days, 50-70 years ago, they had wooden measures for rice, lentils, and other grains, not electronic or iron scales.

The new son-in-law, visiting his in-laws after a few years, saw an old woman and said, “Old mother, what are you doing? Measuring dust is a child’s play. Does an old woman play like this?”

Annapurna Devi replied, “Son, I am measuring to see how much food is written in each person’s destiny.”

“Then tell me what is in my destiny.”

While measuring, some dust fell from her hand. “There is no food in your destiny today.”

The young man said, “Yes, yes, old woman! You are near death, that’s why you talk like this!”

The Devi said, “Look son, when you return, I will be here. Meet me before you leave.”

Many days later, the son-in-law was arriving and everyone sat together. His mother-in-law wore her ornaments and told her daughters-in-law that she would serve her son-in-law with her own hands. When she came to serve, the son-in-law remembered the old woman’s words and thought, “I’m getting so much rice with ghee that smells so good. That old lady said there would be no rice in my destiny today,” and he laughed at this thought.

The mother-in-law served plates to her elder son and son-in-law. The brother-in-law asked, “Brother-in-law, why did you laugh?”

“Nothing, brother. It’s nothing.”

“No, there must be something.”

“No, I won’t tell.”

When he insisted, the son-in-law became irritated and said, “Fine, I will not eat rice in your house!”

When he was leaving angrily, the old mother Annapurna Devi said, “Dear son! What’s wrong? Why does your face look like a twisted cashew?”

Almonds are straight. Cashews are twisted.

Then the old lady said, “Look! I am Annapurna,” revealing her identity as the Goddess of Food.

Today is the appearance day of Annapurna Devi.

Now regarding Badrinath, the scriptures say, “Jo jaye Badri, Na aaye Udari.” One who takes darshan of Lord Badrinath in Badrinath Dham even once never has to return to a mother’s womb again. Therefore, one must visit Badrinath Dham at least once.

Now why is the place called Badrinath Dham?

There are three types of stubbornness (Hatth):

Baal Hatth – When a boy is stubborn, the parents often have to give in to his demands.

Once, a boy had a partially broken tooth, and the doctor advised that he must not eat ice cream. The boy agreed and said, “Okay! I won’t eat it.”

But the next day, the ice cream truck arrived, and the sound of its bell rang through the street. The boy became stubborn again and demanded ice cream. His parents refused, worried about his teeth.

Then, the mother quietly took some money from the father’s pocket and gave it to the boy. She warned him, “Go and buy the ice cream, but remember—because of your teeth, no one will marry you when you grow up.”

This is called Baal Hatth.

Raj Hatth – Whatever the government wants will be done, and no one can stop it. Like when the Delhi Metro Project was being built, the person in charge, Mr. Sridharan, put forward a condition that he would only take up the task if the train tracks were laid according to his map and no court could issue a stay order. Otherwise, the metro would never be successful. So it had to proceed that way, and so far, there has been no stay order against the metro.

This is Raaj hatth – Whatever the government (king) wants, it can do.

Stri Hatth – When the wife orders, the husband must somehow agree. There is no need to elaborate on this because those in married life understand it completely.

Some might say that I am taking the side of mothers because I was born from a mother’s womb and was breastfed by her, so I naturally support mothers. Mothers sacrifices so much.

Once, a husband and wife had an argument and stopped talking to each other for almost three days. The wife cooked food and served it without speaking, and the husband ate in silence. This continued until the wife said, “We had an argument and aren’t talking to each other. People think we aren’t maintaining our relationship well. Let’s compromise – you bow down, touch my feet, and say sorry. Then I will also have to bow to bless you. Then we’ll forgive each other.”

When a woman gets married, she leaves her parents and relatives to stay at her husband’s place for life. In comparison, how long does a groom visit his bride’s place? Hardly 2-3 days before rushing back home.

So Lakshmi and Narayan had a quarrel.

Lakshmi Devi went to her maternal home. After three or four days when her anger cooled, she saw what Narayan was doing. He was performing austerities in Badrivan (Badri Forest). Lakshmi Devi laughed and said, “O Badrinath! You are the Lord of Badri.” That is why Lakshmi called him Badrinath, and from then on, he got the name Badrinath.

About 3 km away is a place called “Maan Gaon,” the origin of the Saraswati River. After flowing, she merges into the Alaknanda River. In Badrinath, under the disciplic succession of Sri Shankaracharya, there priests called “Raval.” In that position, touching women is not accepted. There are two mountains, Nara and Narayan. Nara is Arjuna and Narayan is Krishna. There isalso a Nrisimha Dev with one arm that is very thin. Whenever that arm breaks while thinning, Nara and Narayan mountains will merge, and darshan of Badrinath will no longer be possible.

Previously, there was a rule in Badrinath: In Satya Yuga, everyone could have darshan of Badrinath. In Treta Yuga, only sadhus were allowed darshan. In Dwapara Yuga, Bhagwan made a rule that darshan would only be in deity form. In Satya Yuga, Narayan gave direct darshan. In Treta Yuga, only demigods and sadhus received darshan. From Dwapara Yuga onward, darshan is only in deity form, not face to face.